Well, since it’s after the fact, I can say with complete confidence that this was by far one of my most memorable Thanksgivings to date. I’m also very thankful that no one had to be shot to make it so memorable. On the contrary, all we needed was a great crowd of extended family and a few Germans to bring alcohol to our normally dry occasion.

The food was simply amazing, and there was sooo much of it. Mom’s pecan pie trifle was a big hit, and I was personally impressed by the collards, which I actually ate and enjoyed. Sadly, I also found out that the secret ingredient is something called fatback, which means I’ll probably never be able to replicate them. Ah well. Will have to wait for next Thanksgiving.

We were all thrilled when the sun made an appearance for the first time in weeks, which meant we were able to admire my aunt and uncle’s full menagerie of cats, dogs, chickens, and horses. There were even more than last time I was there, plus Carl’s girlfriend Ashley’s cat Meowders, who was relegated to the screened porch. It was great to see so many of my extended family that I haven’t seen in years, included my recently married second cousin and his brilliant wife. The Germans, as we call them, brought the party with them in the form of beer and wine, strictly taboo at our family gatherings, but it was nice to be able to blame them.

My honorary uncle Knute also brought some of his amazing homemade beer, which we all thoroughly enjoyed, not least because it looked more like cola than wine and we could drink it around my grandmother without feeling like degenerates. After lunch and dessert, the boys built a bonfire outside, and we sat around it with the dogs and cats, drinking wine and telling stories before heading home to watch Christmas movies.

No Thanksgiving entry would be complete without a mention of Black Friday activities, although this year we decided to abstain from the madness. After lunch we did venture out to Chick-fil-A for some sustaining lemon meringue pie and tea before tackling the last of the Christmas tree decor. I have to say, they don’t make a bad lemon meringue. This decorating is hard work, and we may need to settle in with a good movie to recuperate.

My husband and I went to Knoxville yesterday for Thanksgiving at my sister’s house. Because of the rock slide on I-40, we went by way of highway 25 into Hot Springs and then over into Tennesse to Newport where we picked up I-40 into Knoxville. It’s a longer trip, but beautiful and really ineresting, at least to me. When I was a kid, back before I-40 opened, this was the way my family traveled to visit our grandmother and great aunt so it brought back a few memories. Also, when we crossed over the border into Tennessee, there’s an interesting little saloon there. Though most people wouldn’t pay much attention to this small building, the fact that it’s in the Paint Rock area and on the border of North Carolina and Tennesse thrilled me.

Why? Because my sister and I are writing a book about our great aunt’s life growing up in Hot Springs back in the late 19th century. Her father, or Papa as she called him, was the constable of Hot Springs and he also built houses and worked as a blacksmith on the side. One of the chapters in the book deals with a story we heard many times growing up, both from our own father and from our aunt about her going on a trip to the Paint Rock area with Papa who had some business with a saloon owner.

Christy and I have been up to the Hot Springs area several times. The last time we went, we knew we we going to include that story in the book so we looked for Paint Rock, hoping to find some information about the saloon or at least get an idea of the general layout of the town. What we found was that there isn’t actually a town called Paint Rock. There is a Paint Rock, or Painted Rock as some people call it, which is interesting in its own right but…no town.

Yesterday, when my husband pointed out the Rock House Saloon which sits right on the border, very close to the Paint Rock, I immediately began wondering if that was the saloon. It’s an old building made of river rock and it looks like it could’ve been built way back in the 1890’s when the story took place. So I’m going to put on my researcher’s hat and see what I can find out about the Rock House Saloon. Oh, and the next time we go home for the holidays, which should be in a couple of weeks, I’m going to stop there and if they’re open, talk to them about the building. Maybe someone can confirm my suspicions or at least give me more information about the place. And hopefully, I’ll remember to take my camera with me!

Hope everybody had a warm and wonderful Thanksgiving!

* You can listen to a segment of the Slavoj Žižek essay on contemporary apocalypticism that will appear in our upcoming issue of Polygraph here. (via Verso)

* The headline reads, Cigar-Shaped “Mothership” Plunges Argentinian Town Into A Blackout.

* 15 Toys Not to Buy Your Child This Christmas. Of course, science proves you shouldn’t buy anyone gifts at all. (Both links via Neil.)

* Is the public option now too watered-down to fight for? Matt Yglesias and Steve Benen join Josh Marshall in thinking this over. I feel exactly how I did on Monday: the point is to pass anything so it can be improved without a filibuster.

* North Carolina in the news! Kay Hagan is the Senate’s 17th wealthiest senator (via), while Blue Cross/Blue Shield of North Carolina has gotten itself in big trouble for improper issue advocacy against the public option.

* Other politics quick hits: HIV travel ban finally lifted. The national GOP has money problems. They’re talking about a war tax. Despite what you may hear in the press, Obama is pretty good at this whole international diplomacy thing. And Dubai is collapsing; couldn’t have happened to a nicer country.

* The New York Times “100 Notable Books of 2009″ list is already out.

* ‘Are Fake Academic Conferences the New Nigerian Prince Scam?’

* Little-used geek measurements.

Sheppey (distance)
I have to include Douglas Adams’ co-creation (with John Lloyd) here — It’s from The Meaning of Liff, their dictionary of things there aren’t any words for yet. All the words in the dictionary are British place names (the Isle of Sheppey is off the Kent coast). One sheppey is the closest distance at which sheep are still picturesque, and is about seven-eighths of a mile.

* Thor, a Marvel comics character I’m still pretty sure has to be an elaborate joke, will redefine what a superhero movie can be.

* Black Friday LEGO nostalgia.

* Ah, that explains it: that badly timed Dollhouse ARG turns out to be the work of overzealous fans.

* Paging George Michael Bluth. (via)

Hi all

I wanted to let you all know, if you haven’t figured it out already, I have arrived back in the States. Needless to say I’m still processing a lot of things. It was a culture shock just returning back home to things that I was used to and I have a gammit of emotions in me, it may have only been 9 days, but it was a long 9 days. I attempted to go back to work on Monday and made it through three (3) hours until the fatigue set in amongst other things and I left work and went home and rested (well slept pretty much till it was dark)

I have finally gotten all the photos uploaded…I also have videos, but not sure when those will go up Photos linked below

Flight photos going to Guatemala: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=344664&id=555125073&l=4fcb848a01

Day in Antigua: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=345668&id=555125073&l=9d4f3f478a

Camp Day 1: Otten Prado http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=347250&id=555125073&l=bc12fded00

Camp Day 1: Sakerty http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=347526&id=555125073&l=5f07fd8f15

Camp Day 2: Otten Prado http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=347546&id=555125073&l=d99fcaede1

Camp Day 2: Sakerty http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=347555&id=555125073&l=fb28a14e93

Camp Day 3: Otten Prado http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=348157&id=555125073&l=01901d3c1c

Camp Day 3: Sakerty http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=348172&id=555125073&l=d21089a10b

Camp Day 4: Otten Prado http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=349131&id=555125073&l=b42e5e9f54

Camp Day 4: Sakerty http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=349154&id=555125073&l=3dc3e31e2b

Camp Day 5: Otten Prado http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=349169&id=555125073&l=8cdc456aae

Camp Day 5: Sakerty http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=349512&id=555125073&l=5d10b82736

Going back to the States: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=349524&id=555125073&l=beb5c95139

As many of you know my luggage did not make it home until Tuesday evening, November 23 at 9:30pm, it was sitting in Miami Customs, where I should have picked it up – mis-communication in Guatemala

I attached a photo of my Guatemala family – the Bantas and the fellas I worked alongside everyday with the kids.

I haven’t updated the blog since Days 1 and 2…but it will come…maybe check back first full week of December

Thank you again for the encouragement and prayers.

Took a drive to the Outer Banks of North Carolina on November 25, 2009 and got some photos of the swell. Check em out! Clicking on the photos will take you to the gallery on the Island Vibe website.

Article from thebirdflupandemic.com
-
New reports from Iowa and North Carolina are raising concerns that the deadly H1N1 swine flu mutations that have been confirmed by the WHO in Ukraine, Norway and elsewhere have already reached the United States.  In Iowa, a report that doctors are seeing “very heavy, wet hemorrhagic lungs, lungs with a lot of blood in them” in H1N1 patients is creating concerns among health experts that the deadly Ukraine H1N1 has already spread there. 

In addition, a report of Tamiflu-resistant H1N1 swine flu in North Carolina is raising questions about the ability of medical authorities to combat H1N1 if thousands of people do start dying.  If deadly H1N1 swine flu mutations have already reached the United States, what does that mean?  Doctors in Ukraine have been reporting that victims of H1N1 there are experiencing violent hemorrhaging in their lungs. As the patients near death, their lungs reportedly become as “black as charcoal” and literally begin to disintegrate.  Will this start happening soon inside the U.S.?

-

-

The news report causing the most concern today is the one about H1N1 patients in Iowa.  Commenting on a dramatic spike in H1N1 deaths in Iowa, Dr. Gregory Schmunk told KCCI news that what doctors there are seeing ”is very heavy, wet hemorrhagic lungs, lungs with a lot of blood in them.”

Hemorrhagic lungs that are filled with blood?

That sounds precisely like what is taking place in Ukraine.

Last week, the WHO confirmed that an H1N1 mutation had been discovered in Ukraine. This H1N1 mutation involved a receptor binding domain change, and it is apparently causing the H1N1 virus to become much more virulent.

Just like the new report in Iowa, many victims of H1N1 in Ukraine have been experiencing violent hemorrhaging in the lungs.  Temperatures inside the lungs of patients in Ukraine have been reported to be as high as 135 degrees Fahrenheit.  As the patient near death, the lungs turn to mush and literally become as black as charcoal.

In fact, one doctor in Western Ukraine was quoted as saying the following about what is happening to the lungs of these patients…..

“We have carried out post mortems on two victims and found their lungs are as black as charcoal. They look like they have been burned. It’s terrifying.”

If that wasn’t bad enough, the WHO has now confirmed that the same H1N1 mutation has shown up in Norway.

Norway’s Institute of Public Health has released a statement in which they announced that this mutation “could possibly…cause more severe disease” because it apparently infects tissue deeper in the airway than usual.

Not only that, but today Hong Kong’s Department of Health has confirmed that it has found the same mutation in a H1N1 flu virus sample as the one detected in Norway recently.

Hong Kong is on the other side of the world from Ukraine and Norway. 

What in the world is going on?

Nobody knows for sure, but the truth is that the increasing similarities between the current H1N1 outbreak and the 1918 “Spanish flu” outbreak are becoming too striking to ignore.

Firstly, both the current outbreak and the 1918 Spanish flu are from the H1N1 family.

Secondly, both the current outbreak and the 1918 Spanish flu have the same mutation that is currently being reported in Ukraine, Norway and Hong Kong.

Thirdly, the hemorrhagic deaths that victims are experiencing in Ukraine closely mirror the kind of deaths experienced by victims of the 1918 Spanish flu.  Just consider the following description of 1918 Spanish flu deaths from Wikipedia…..

“One of the most striking of the complications was hemorrhage from mucous membranes, especially from the nose, stomach, and intestine. Bleeding from the ears and petechial hemorrhages in the skin also occurred.”  The majority of deaths were from bacterial pneumonia, a secondary infection caused by influenza, but the virus also killed people directly, causing massive hemorrhages and edema in the lung.”

You would think this stunning information would be so important that the mainstream media would be all over it, but sadly that is not the case.  Instead they seem intent on covering the opening of the “New Moon” movie and whatever Barack Obama had for breakfast this morning.

But not only is the mutation discussed above a tremendous concern, but now there are confirmed reports that Tamiflu-resistant H1N1 is spreading.

Recently a Tamiflu-resistant strain of the H1N1 swine flu was reported to have been discovered in Wales, and now a Tamiflu-resistant cluster of the H1N1 swine flu has been reported in North Carolina.

However, medical authorities don’t seem overly concerned.  Dr. Alicia Frye, epidemiologist in the CDC’s flu division, said in a prepared statement that “at this time we don’t have any information that should raise concerns for the general population.”

If the best drugs medical authorities have will soon not work against H1N1, perhaps the public should be concerned.

Meanwhile the European Center for Disease Control and Prevention has announced that swine flu deaths in Europe are doubling every two weeks.

Swine flu deaths in Europe are doubling every two weeks?

Perhaps the mainstream media should start paying attention to this.

Posted below is one of the very few mainstream media video reports we have about the “black lung” flu that is ravaging Ukraine…..

All of this is happening at a time when environmental extremists are pushing the “overpopulation” myth harder than ever.  In fact, the United Nations Population Fund has just released its annual State of the World Population Report in which it openly calls for reducing world population growth as a way to combat climate change.  The reality is that if a deadly H1N1 mutation did kill tens of millions, many very sick environmental extremists would actually applaud.  Increasingly, many in the environmental community are viewing humanity itself as a “disease” that needs to be eradicated for the good of the earth.

Talk about a dangerous belief system.

If you have any additional intel on the spread of H1N1 mutations around the world please let us know.  As always, we invite your questions and comments…..

Shaquille O'Neal in his latest incarnation as a Cavalier. O'Neal was so moved by the little girl's tragic death that he paid for all of the funeral expenses (Courtesy: Denver Post)

For the record, the usual child’s funeral costs about $4,500. It’s not chicken feed.

Basketball star Shaquille O’Neal paid for the funeral of a 5-year-old North Carolina girl after being moved by national news coverage of the case of Shaniya Davis, who police say was kidnapped and killed.

The Cleveland Cavaliers player was touched by the stories he saw and got in touch with the family to see what he could do to help, a spokeswoman for O’Neal said Thursday.

More than 2,000 people attended the girl’s funeral Sunday. Her body was found Nov. 16 beside a rural road.

Her mother, Antoinette Davis, who had reported the child missing six days earlier, is charged with human trafficking and child abuse involving prostitution. Mario McNeill is charged with murder, rape and kidnapping in the case.

“I was sitting at home watching it on the news and the story brought a tear to my eye,” O’Neal told The Cleveland Plain Dealer newspaper.

Better make sure that Bradley Lockhart’s mitts aren’t on the money raised for the little girl’s funeral expenses. It was announced that the money already raised would be given to charities and organizations concerned with child abuse. It had better be; any money sent to a bank in the name of a missing or murdered child is still the property of the people who set up the account–either Bradley Lockhart or his sister Carey Lockhart-Davis. These people’s actions should be watched. I wouldn’t be surprised if more than $4,500 was raised; and that’s enough for any one to suddenly get greedy.

Art Spander from Real Clear Sports says it all about what I think about what Shaq did.

The holiday had nothing to do with it, although the timing was exquisite. The gesture by Shaquille O’Neal happened to be announced on Thanksgiving, and that gave greater meaning to a unique act of kindness.

We are too familiar with the manner some athletes have gained headlines away from their games. So many have been arrested, whether for serious offenses, Plaxico Burress pleading guilty to criminal possession of a weapon, or lesser ones.

If Shaq is guilty of anything, however, it’s sensitivity. Others may have shamed sports, made us ask “What’s the matter with these guys? Don’t they have a brain in their head?”

O’Neal provided a large percentage of pride. He did what’s right. Without being asked or coaxed.

Shaq is far from perfect. He is being sued for divorce. But he always has been a caring individual, raised in a military family by a stepfather who demanded discipline and respect.

Shaq may play a mean game of basketball, although now at age 37, he is too often injured, including currently, having not been in uniform for the Cleveland Cavaliers since mid-November because of a shoulder ailment.

In the game of life, as so many big men, O’Neal rarely is mean.

Perhaps he does not fit the mythical category of Gentle Giant. So we label him the Considerate Competitor. Or employ the description he often has used on himself, the Big Socrates.

Touched by the tragedy of 5-year-old Shaniya Davis, who police say was kidnapped and killed, and whose body was found a week and a half ago beside a rural road in North Carolina, O’Neal paid for the child’s funeral.

“I was sitting at home watching it on the news,” O’Neal told the Cleveland Plain Dealer, “and the story brought a tear to my eye.”

He saw what we all saw, hate, pain, tragedy, tales told repeatedly in modern society. A girl he didn’t know. A story we all know. Shaquille O’Neal was not content merely to step away.

He never has been.

Read the whole thing about Shaq. Some of that stuff I never knew about the guy. It just might restore your faith in people one more day.

Happy Thanksgiving! – I’m thankful for so so much, but mostly for the true freedom I have in Jesus Christ. Laus Deo – Praise be to God!

outtake – I shot this group of grandkids with their Papa this morning. And let me tell you it’s tough to get 8 kids between 1 and 11 to be happy and look at the camera (all at the same time). But this pic just cracks me up! And we did get some good ones out of the shoot.

We had Thanksgiving with my mom and a few family members today. It was good to see her and visit with some of my family. My dad passed away several years ago and I miss him everyday.

I want to sincerely state that I am thankful for many things. Being born in this country and all of those that helped start and save this country over it’s history. I am thankful for my mom and dad, my family, my teachers my friends who helped me through the difficult times. I am thankful for many things including the good Americans that visit and comment here and all the other patriotic Americans who are trying to save this country. However, of all the people in my life, I most of all want to thank my mom.
My mom is almost 85, still fairly spry and has a everpresent great attitude. She cooked a large Thanksgiving meal for us and she was at her happiest doing so, doing for others, especially her family.

My mom became the oldest child after her older brother was killed by a car. She grew up in the country, just outside a small town in NC. She lived through the Great Depression and they were fortunate to grow most of their food. Even so, she has told me many stories of picking up coal along the side of railroad tracks, of traveling hobos begging for food.

My mother made excellent grades in school but had to drop out before finishing to help her family. She was a stay at home mom for us four children part of the time, but when she did work, she worked at jobs that people who didn’t finish high school got. My mother has always worked hard, whether tending to our needs or working outside the home. She never complained.

My mother continues to give to her family, her community and church and to those sick at home. She always has a smile to give and is always thinking of others. I believe that is much of the secret to her happiness. She is always thinking of others.

My mother worked hard and sacrificed so that I could attend school and college. So that I could get the better jobs.

I was truly blessed by God to have such a mother. I am very thankful.

From the desk of Ken Bryant at Lake Chatuge on the state line between Hiawassee, GA and Hayesville, NC

By Claes Bell • Bankrate.com [Excerpted]

U.S. housing values showed signs of life during the third quarter, according to the latest National Association of Realtors home price survey.

While housing values were down significantly year-over-year in the vast majority of markets, many markets hard hit by the extended real estate slump rose when compared to the second quarter.

Nationally, the average single-family home price fell from $200,400 to $177,000 year over year, a seasonally adjusted loss of 11.2 percent, according to the NAR. However, average home prices actually rose 2.2 percent during the third quarter — from $174,100 to $177,900 — when compared to the second quarter.

Several markets severely affected by the housing downturn saw price improvement. Median home prices in Miami-Fort Lauderdale, Fla., a market that epitomized the collapse in housing prices during the worst of the downturn, rose for the second consecutive quarter, from $207,400 to $217,000. Hard-hit Phoenix-Mesa-Scottsdale, Ariz., also registered a second straight quarterly gain, rising 8.8 percent from $131,100 to $142,700.

The Riverside-San Bernadino-Ontario, Calif. area, which has seen its median home price drop by more than half since its 2006 peak, recorded a quarterly gain of 4.1 percent, rising from $161,500 to $168,100. And prices in Cape Coral-Fort Myers, Fla., — which saw its median value plunge from $268,200 in 2006 to as low as $84,000 in the second quarter of this year — finally reversed direction, jumping 16.7 percent in the third quarter to $98,000.

Several markets showed healthy year-over-year gains as well. Median prices in Cumberland, Md.-W.Va., soared 19.2 percent year over year, to $122,100. Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, Iowa-Ill., also recorded double digit yearly gains, jumping 14.3 percent to $115,600. Meanwhile, Oklahoma City home values rose 9.1 percent to $144,100.

Sales rise

Sales of existing homes, spurred on in part by the recently extended homebuyer tax credit, continued to accelerate, according to the survey.

“We can’t underestimate just how powerful a catalyst the first-time homebuyer tax credit has been for the housing sector,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist, in a statement. “It’s given buyers the confidence they needed to get off the fence and take advantage of extremely affordable housing conditions.”

Compared to the second quarter, 45 states and the District of Columbia saw sales increases. Of those markets, D.C. and 28 states recorded double-digit gains. Overall, sales rose 11.4 percent nationally in the third quarter.

Year-over-year sales were higher in 32 states and D.C., and rose a seasonally adjusted 5.9 percent nationally.

Well it’s finally here. A truly American holiday in which we eat too much and watch a lot of tv. But I guess there are some redeeming things about it apart from the delicious eats in the company of family. It does give us a chance to reflect on our blessings and evaluate the past year, unless of course we’re watching the Househunters International marathon on HGTV, becoming disgusted with everyone who can afford a condo in Europe.

But I digress. Luckily, I’ve been torn away from the tv and packed into the car to Trinity, NC. There, there will be ample food, a menagerie of pets, and of course my crazy family. I love them anyway.

Last night while putting together our giant pre-lit (the most brilliant innovation since actual electricity) Christmas tree, Dad decided we could use a little liquid courage and made us some amazing eggnog, his specialty. Afterward we watched Twilight, trying not to laugh, especially when Dad cracked that crazy hair must be a vampire requirement. Thank goodness I’m past the age when I took these movies seriously. I seem to remember not taking his comments during Titanic so well. The spoofs were also fresh in our minds, so that didn’t help. Will probably see New Moon anyway, just for the man candy.

Frisbee golf is one of my favorite solo sports. Thanks to the Professional Disc Golf Association’s website, I was able to find disc golf courses all over the place.

I ended up playing four times. Here’s the recap of my efforts.

Game 1: Charlotte, North Carolina
At some place called Reedy Creek Park I located a great disc golf course. This one was very popular – a lot of people were there. And it was challenging, at least for a relative beginner like me. I shot +28 on the 18-hole course. I made two pars, which I celebrated as if they were holes-in-one.

My tee shot on #17 went awry. I shook the tree and got it down.

Game 2: South Carolina?
This frisbee golf game was unplanned. I was driving through some back roads, I think in South Carolina, and stumbled upon a park with a disc golf course. It was early, around 9 am, and no one else was there. I took no pictures and I don’t remember my score.

Game 3: Dallas, Texas
In Dallas I found a disc golf park at BB Owen Park. This was a well-designed park with 18 holes. I took a photo of the course, which came in handy because it was sometimes hard to figure out which was the next hole.

This was an extremely challenging course. Here’s the view from the first tee. You have to go across a creek, through a small opening between trees.

I shot +20 over 18 holes, a better score than I posted in Charlotte. I made my first birdie ever and also made a 20-foot par. I took a photo of where I was when I threw the frisbee, because that 20-foot shot was my longest ever. The flag is right in the middle:

Game 4: Austin, Texas
In Austin, Jason and I hit a disc golf course on our way out of town. It was a fun course, with water hazards and really long holes.

Another North Carolina resident, with a silky smooth S2000.  There are a lot of nice s2ks coming out from all over but this one has a special appeal to it.  Shaved body, and some aero upgrades are always a good start.. Crispy pictures never hurts either.

Check out more pictures/info in his ROTM thread on INC.

Import NC ROTM October 2009

Pictures by:

Skaten Davie

Kyle McMagnus

Tonight we were going to partake in our usual night before thanksgiving tradition. We usually take extremely lean ground beef, mix it with onion, stuff it in a pita and top it with cheese to make our pre-thanksgiving meal. Well, I was awakened to a horrible sight when I cut open my roll of 93% lean beef that I purchased yesterday at Harris Teeter.

This 2lb roll of Harris Teeter brand beef was encased by a thick layer of pure fat. The core of the roll was also nothing but a solid chunk of fat. This brings up several concerns to me. The first concern is the fat content. Can we really trust any fat content labeling of meat? Many people are on tough diets for heart conditions. Those very people must have the leanest cuts of meat possible. Are those people being falsely informed? My second concern lies in the packaging process. If this large chunk of meat can pass through the packing line without being caught; what else could make it’s way into my package of meat? Is it possible that foreign objects could make their way into my meat? My third concern lies in the attached nutritional information. Government standards require this to be accurate. Obviously in this case, the nutritional information was not accurate.

I want to know what happened here. I want a response from Harris Teeter regarding this meat.

Well, its here…Thanksgiving! It’s unbelieveable how quickly the month of November went by. Before you know it we’ll be getting ready for the new year. On Tuesday night we had our first “test” of the year, a scrimmage against a very athletic team. I always try to schedule a scrimmage that will really test us and someone who will give us a different look than what we’ll see in county play. We got all that and more on Tuesday night.

I always say that the games should be the easy part of playing and practice should be the harder part. We want to treat each game as a test and each practice as a classroom session that is preparing us for those test. We know that we can’t get straight A’s on every test, but we sure can make sure we learn something from each test. As we look back on our first test, we certainly know what we need to do better as we move forward.

We told our girls at the beginning of the game our goal was to be better at the end of the scrimmage than we were at the beginning of the game. We always ask our players to do three things, play hard, smart, & together. We took it from Coach Dean Smith at the University of North Carolina. This is a team that I feel can really understand what it means to do those three things. We challenged our girls to set the tone of the season from the opening tip.

We came out on fire and really played the way we hoped. We had some easy transition points and our post players did a fantastic job, but then we went into a “funk.” We starting turning the ball over in the back-court and allowed them to have some easy points. That was an emphasis this year, protecting the ball. We did our best and we certainly learned a lot! We know we have a long way to go and now we know just how far we need to go.

I went into the office today and watched film as all coaches do and we know now what we need to do to improve as we move forward. It’s not going to be easy, but we have to be committed to make those adjustments. I posted on my twitter page that “we have a lot of work to do, but if any team can do it its this team.” I mean that and after today’s practice I KNOW THAT. This team will be in a good situation as we get closer to our real test, the regular season. We’re dedicated to each other and ready to go full steam ahead. This is the part of coaching I love. The part when you see all the weaknesses and you have to come up with the ways you’re going to fix them. I don’t like saying we’ll hide our weaknesses, you can’t hide them. Any good team will find them and make you pay for not fixing them, so we’re going to fix our weaknesses not hide them! I’m as excited as I’ve ever been at this point of the season and will take tomorrow to relax with family and celebrate by new engagement then be ready to break down more film on Friday & Saturday to have our girls more prepared than anyone. Have a great thanksgiving!

“By hiding a weakness, you only hide your team. Fix your problems now and it will help the group in the long run.”

Sorry, been busy with life! It’s Thanksgiving time here in the States at least. That means lots of turkey and family and, well, mostly food.

I’m going to the lovely state of North Carolina with my sister and my dad for the occasion. I’m happy Shout out to all my non-American (Scottish) friends who don’t have Thanksgiving.
Here is how I plan to get pretty for Thanksgiving

Tomorrow is Thanksgiving–a time when we gather with family and friends to feast, as we give thanks for all of the things that we hold dear.  In some ways, it is unfortunate that we might wait until Thanksgiving to give thanks for those things that we should appreciate throughout the year.  And that is something that I would hope will change for me, personally.  I want to give thanks every day for all of the blessings that I have been given.

When I was younger, I never really understood the true meaning of this holiday.  I always focused on the part of Thanksgiving that involved turkey, ham, dressing, gravy, pie, and the rest of the fixings.  I always focused on the pick-up football games and the chance to see uncles, aunts, and cousins.  At school, we learned about the origins of Thanksgiving, including Pilgrims and Native Americans.  We celebrated by making turkeys from painted handprints.  As I have grown older and have seen some of the more difficult parts of life, the true meaning of Thanksgiving has become clear.

These are just some of the things for which I am thankful:

-I am thankful for my mother.  She has done so much for me throughout my life, and I would not be here without her.

-I am thankful for my little sister.  She has served our nation in Iraq for the past year, and she continues to grow into a person that would make any brother proud.  I used to think that it was my responsibility to protect her.  It is ironic, now, that she is a part of the force that protects all of us.  Also, her husband, my brother-in-law, who also serves in the military.

-I am thankful for the rest of my family and all of my friends.  Explaining why I am thankful for each of these people would turn this blog post into a novel.

-I am thankful for the US Military.  These men and women have volunteered to serve their nation, to place themselves into harms way, all in the name of America.

-I am thankful for all of the veterans who have served to protect this nation throughout its history.

-I am thankful for the families of those in the military.  Many times forgotten, they make sacrifices that cannot be measured by any scale. 

-I am thankful for our police officers, firefighters, and teachers.  They do some of the most important work that I can imagine.

-I am thankful for every breath that I am given.  There were times that I thought that my next breath could be my last.

-I am thankful for everyone who volunteers for or donates money to our charities.  You make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate and, at this time, nothing could be more important.

-I am thankful for this great nation in which we live.  I couldn’t imagine a greater force of good in the world than the collection of people and institutions of the United States of America.

-I am thankful for the state of North Carolina.  This is the greatest states in the union (in my opinion, anyway).

-I am thankful for Thanksgiving Day football.  Although I think that the games should rotate from year to year, rather than having Dallas and Detroit hosting, I still love it.  I am not thankful, however, that the third game is on the NFL network, which is not available for subscribers to Time Warner Cable.

-I am thankful for the food that I have to nourish me.  When I think of all of the people throughout the world and, unbelievably, in this country, I am heartbroken.  Whatever it is that makes me so fortunate, I am thankful.  

-I am thankful for our dogs, Max and Rocky.  They give all who know them such a great deal of joy and love.  Pets are not just pets, they are family.

-I am thankful for all of the opportunities that I have received, educationally and otherwise.

These are just some of the things for which I am thankful.  I surely left someone or some things out, but they are no less important for a complete, well-rounded life.  Let us give thanks each and every day, and do not wait for a holiday to be reminded.

Happy Thanksgiving!  Gobble-Gobble!

City: Concord
County: Cabarrus
State: North Carolina

In what is really a rarity, two road trips involving food were made a week apart from each other (mostly because we were so disappointed with the way Gadsden came out).  There was a car full of hungry college students driving to the crown of the Queen City to enjoy the restaurant chain known as Bob Evans.

Georgia lacks a Bob Evans, but according to the guy I had to pay at the front of the store, “[they] should be expanding in 2011, and it should include Metro Atlanta”

While there are no Bob Evans in Georgia, there are two Mimi’s Cafes located in Buford and Atlanta.  Mimi’s Café was bought by Bob Evans awhile back.  Ok enough with my reporting, sorry I’m a news editor for a school paper, I might accidently go off on a tangent and make this look professional.  Yeah… not happening.

After driving through Loganville and Athens to get everybody into my Ford Focus (what, you thought I was doing these in a hippie van?) we hit 441 and I-85 singing with the iPod through the South Carolina state line.

Various conversations filled the car as we rolled through the Upstate and into Charlotte, including rounds of 20 questions and iSpy.  Most discussions can’t be talked about, but hilarity ensued.

Perhaps the longest part of our trip occurred when we reached the Concord exit which Bob Evans existed.  Stuck in the Saturday night traffic of the commercial district by the speedway, it took almost 30 minutes to leave the exit and make it to the Bob Evans, 0.2 miles away.  Not that it was entirely the traffic’s fault; we wanted to drive by another landmark in Concord, and turning left at a stop sign in a city that busy never works out too well.

When we finally reached the Bob Evans off Gateway, we already knew the food was going to be good.  We all ventured in and enjoyed the meal of a lifetime.  Biscuits, gravy, omelets, salad, other various amazing food, and a rubber duckie that lights up, was swimming in the coleslaw none of us wanted.  Making great friends with all of the workers there, we had excellent service, wrote on all our comment cards to bring a Bob Evans to Georgia, and happily went on our way.  Now, here’s what you can do in Concord!

For the Stereotypical Southern Experience:

Perhaps one of the things North Carolina is known for is their absolute love for NASCAR.  Hell when I was driving the interstate through downtown Charlotte the drivers acted as if they were driving a night race.  If North Carolina is the “Heart” of NASCAR, then it is Concord which makes it tick.  Charlotte, excuse me Lowes Motor Speedway is found within the city limits of Concord and is the headquarters for at least five NASCAR teams. Have at it.  Needless to say if you are ever in the town on a race day (I have been trust me I know), you will have the ultimate Southern experience.  Just look out for the drunks staggering across Speedway Blvd before a race, 20 points if you hit them.  No, but seriously.

For the Historian and Shopper

While Concord is in the middle of suburban Charlotte, and is a sign of modern times, there are many places of historical value in Concord’s vicinity.  Downtown Concord as well as Union Street are preserved historic districts within the town.  On the third Thursday of each month from May to September live music is played on Union Street bring many people of all walks of life to listen.

For the Artist and Art Lovers

Every May Concord hosts Spring into the Arts, a festival bringing musicians and artists together downtown.  Similar to ATHfest in Athens (Georgia), Spring into the Arts is more for the visual arts and crafts, as ATHfest is certainly more music-based.  Either way the time I ventured into this festival, it was an enjoyable experience.  The atmosphere of the festival in the spring brings life to this once quaint southern town.

For the Cocky Driver

Other than being the center of all NASCAR activity, Concord’s downtown district also allows for some fun on the fourth Saturday of each month between April and October.  If you have a classic car that you just love to cruise in, head on down to Union, Market and South Streets and drive around.  The vibrance of downtown with their shops, restaurants, and love for music, blends perfectly for this monthly event.  I have not been to this event, but by the looks of it I would enjoy it; if my car wasn’t a Ford Focus.  The classics, muscle cars, and even the foreign cars are all welcome to participate, and enjoy this treat.  Not many cities do this anymore, and much less in the Eastern United States.  This certainly adds to the uniqueness of the town.

In conclusion, Concord is just a great town in the middle of everything.  Whether or not you like NASCAR, there are plenty of things to do in Concord and the Queen City.  The trip back was a sad one.  We had already arrived in Concord after sunset, so we knew we had to head back home.  I’ll be back up there in a few months and I will update with pictures.  I honestly am tired of doing these with only links instead of pictures, but I don’t want any contributed photos. 

On our way back we took a different approach to heading home because I got tired of interstate driving.  Along the outskirts between Greenville and Anderson, SC we stopped at a gas station to fuel up.  They had the best boiled peanuts that I believe I have ever tasted in my life.  They were cold, so imagine how great they would be warm.   Point being, if you’re ever north of Anderson on US-29, stop at 1 of the 3 gas stations and give these peanuts a try.  Perhaps, I’ll write more on them in one of my upcoming blogs… *hint hint*.

For those like me looking to relocate, here’s a list to help you out.

Full List: America’s Fastest-Recovering Cities via Forbes.com

If any self respecting southerner tells you about burgers, you should listen ! My Thanksgiving travels have brought me to Burlington NC, otherwise known sarcastically by locals as Burl-Vegas, burger fans here flock to Skid’s daily for their traditional southern style burger, “mustard-chili-slaw” on a soft un-toasted sesame seed bun.
This family owned burger haven has been slinging the southern burger trilogy since 1949, with a variety of burgers to choose from I was advised by our experienced burger waitress of 30 years, Bonnie to give the Original Skid’s Special a try.

While sitting in tiny, but comfortable 50’s style booths I was granted a rare insider’s tour of this quaint little restaurant, I gazed impatiently as Lucy, the owner tended to my meaty delights, sizzling in ample grease on a flat style griddle that had looked like it had seen a few burgers in it’s time. I headed back to my booth and anxiously awaited the arrival of Lucy’s creation, and sipped happily on my old style Diet Coke with hand crushed ice.

Finally the burger appeared on my table, delivered with infinite personality and poise by Bonnie, without hesitation I gouged my mouth into this succulent creation and was immediately surprised by the texture and flavor of the burger, it was rather moist and exuded a powerful flavor of sweetness and savory due to the chili, and a freshness and crunchiness due to the coleslaw, although the burger after a while became soggy I enjoyed it as I inhaled it quicker than most of my previously rated burgers.

The Mustard-chili-slaw Original Skid’s burger was definitely worth a try and rates up there as a unique and joyous experience during my Thanksgiving holiday, the folks at Skid’s are a wonderful crew of southern food aficionados and I enjoyed patronizing their quaint little piece of burger history.

Thanks Skid’s !!!

Chat with Darren Atkins

View Larger Map

On Tuesday, more developments in the Shaniya Davis murder case.

Antoinette Davis, Shaniya’s mother, who has been charged with human trafficking and child abuse, was transferred for her own safety.

According to The Fayettville Observer, Davis was transferred from the Cumberland County Detention Center to the North Carolina Correctional Center for Women in Raleigh, North Carolina.

According to WRAL.com, special attention had to be paid to Davis. She “was being held in a safe-keeping cell away from the general prison population,” according to state Department of Correction spokesman Keith Acree.

Debbie Tanna, a spokeswoman for the Cumberland County Sheriff’s Office, stated that Davis “is pregnant, so special precautions had to be taken.”

Also on Tuesday, Shaniya Davis’s father, Bradley Lockhart, appeared in the studio with host Meredith Vieira on NBC’s “Today” show to talk about the life and death of his daughter.

Lockhart spoke of the last time he saw his little girl before he left for an out-of-state business trip. He stated that she climbed up into his truck to kiss him goodbye and that they would see each other upon his return. Unfortunately, Lockhart would never see his daughter again.

Vieira pressed the issue as to whether or not Lockhart should have seen the signs that sending his daughter to her mother, Antoinette Davis, was the wrong move. “I don’t think I really missed any (signs). Of course there’s always speculation. There’s always things you could look at and say, well maybe, maybe not,” Lockhart said.

A pensive looking Lockhart added, “We obviously make decisions in life that sometimes have repercussions or adverse situations that drift from our decision. We just have to continue to believe in God and hope that our decisions are the correct ones.”

-Read Antoinette Davis’s arrest warrant.

-Listen to Antoinette Davis’s 911 call.

-Read Mario McNeill’s arrest warrant.

-Watch Brad Lockhart on NBC Today.

NBC TODAY Show: Shaniya’s Dad: ‘She Touched a Lot of People’