Boomer Sooner…down goes Bama in the Sugar Bowl!

Posted on January 3, 2014 by susan

WOW!  Boomer Sooner and down goes Bama in the Sugar Bowl, 45 – 31.  Gee, really tough end of the year for Saban and the Alabama faithful.  First the Iron Bowl, now this!  Four turnovers by Alabama, three by A J McCarron, two of which led to fourteen points for Oklahoma.  McCarron had a very uncharacteristic game, throwing two interceptions, and then fumbling the ball away with just over a minute to play which resulted in a Sooner TD that sealed the deal.  Oklahoma really seemed to dominate, especially in the first half.  Bama came roaring back in the second, and with a minute plus left, the Tide trailed by a mere TD, 38 – 31.  Then came the third turnover by McCarron and the game was over.  The fourth turnover was a fumble by RB Yeldon which “only” resulted in a field goal for Oklahoma.  Not the way Bama expected their year to end for sure!  Really fantastic performance by the Sooners and freshman QB Trevor Knight in only his fifth start of the season.  He finished with 348 yards passing, 4 TDs, and one interception.

Tonight, the Orange Bowl from Miami.  Looks like they are going to have a little better weather than the year I got to go (2009 – GT loss to Iowa, coldest Orange Bowl in history).  Looking good for tonight, with a high of only 34 degrees in the ATL today, not fun!  Anyhow, Clemson will try to represent the ACC and themselves much better than they did a couple of years ago when they lost to West Virginia (a score so bad, we won’t even repeat the final score)!  They will take on a disappointed Ohio State team coached by Urban Myer.  Ohio State was expecting to be in Pasadena to take on FSU but Michigan State had something to say about that.  MSU followed up that statement with a big win over Stanford in the Rose Bowl on New Year’s Day.  This game should actually be a good one, high scoring as neither team has a defense that is likely to stop the other team’s potent scoring machines.  Still, one can never tell so we will wait and see!  Hey, I picked Bama over Oklahoma so what do I know?

Bad news for Georgia Tech…apparently sophomore QB Vad Lee is going to transfer.  What a shame.  He was a highly touted recruit, high school player of the year in his home state of North Carolina, and brought so much promise to the flats as a dual threat QB.  He was supposed to be the best passer since George Godsey.  Really hate to hear this…things are not going in the right direction with the football program at Georgia Tech right now!

All Right..come on Clemson…represent the ACC well tonight!

P.S. Roger Federer won in Brisbane to advance to the semis!  Good news always for me when Roger Federer wins!

Update:  Apologies to OK State, Mizz and the Cotton Bowl.  Also on for our viewing pleasure this evening is the Cotton Bowl.  (How could I leave this bowl out, one of the original big four!)  Anyhow, Oklahoma State will take on SEC runner-up Missouri tonight at 8:00 pm EST on FOX.  Big 12 vs. SEC   The Orange Bowl will air on ESPN at the same time. Ohio State vs. Clemson, Big 10 vs. ACC.  Why do they put them on at the same time?  Oh well, that’s what our remotes are for!  Enjoy!


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SEC teams go 2-1 in New Years Day Bowls

Posted on January 1, 2014 by susan

SEC teams go 1 – 2 in New Year’s Day Bowls, all bowl games in rainy Florida.  LSU held on to defeat Iowa, 21 – 14 in the Outback Bowl (Tampa, FL) without the services of injured starting QB Zach Mettenberger.  South Carolina was led by their starting QB Connor Shaw (named MVP of the game) and they defeated Wisconsin, 34 – 24 in Orlando at the Capital One Bowl.  Jadeveon Clowney was a force and announced immediately after the game, he would in fact declare for the NFL draft.  No surprise.  (Teddy Bridgewater, QB Louisville, also announced the same intentions today).  The losing team in the SEC today was UGA, without the services of QB Aaron Murray, going down to Nebraska courtesy of a 99 yard TD pass in the final minutes of the 4th quarter.  The dawgs, led by sophomore Hutson Mason in only his second start at QB, lost 24 – 19 in a close one.  This game was in Jacksonville, the Gator Bowl, of course.

Tremendous game going on right now in Pasadena, Michigan State just scored to go up 24 – 17 over Stanford in the second half of the Rose Bowl.  This game is smash mouth football, not the crazy excitement of last night’s Chick-fil-A Bowl, but a great game non the less.  Yikes!  Stanford is in trouble.  (I picked the Cardinals to win this one).  Michigan State is playing without star LB Max Bullough, suspended.  Back later with the final!  Here it is: Michigan State stops Stanford on 4th down with a minute 45 seconds left!  Spartans will win the 100th Rose Bowl, 24 – 20.  What a performance by the MSU defense and by QB Connor Cook!  A beautiful sunny day in Pasadena and a huge victory for the Big Ten Spartans over the Cardinals from the Pac 12 (last year’s Rose Bowl champs).  I am disappointed I must admit, I was pulling for Stanford.

Tonight, still to come, the Fiesta Bowl from Glendale, Arizona.  This will feature UCF vs. Baylor, two teams with 11-1 records and two teams with great quarterbacks, Bryce Petty for Baylor and Blake Bortles for UCF (both junior studs).  Also, two great coaches, George O’Leary (UCF) and Art Briles (Baylor).

Update: UCF 52 – 42 over Baylor in an upset!  Turnover prone but still prevailing, UCF wins biggest bowl game in school history (first ever BCS bowl appearance)!  Huge night for QB Blake Bortles with 4 TD’s.  Gee, as a GT fan I must lament…George O’Leary was and is a fantastic coach!

Bowl mania continues on Monday night (1/2/2014!) with the Sugar Bowl from New Orleans.  Alabama vs. Oklahoma.  Bama will try to take out their frustration from the crazy Iron Bowl loss to Auburn.  Oklahoma will ride in on a high after defeating instate rival Oklahoma State and robbing them of the chance to play in a BCS bowl!  I still would have liked to see Alabama vs. Oregon (wanted that last year as well in the title game).  Oh well, maybe next year!

Until tomorrow…which is now Friday!  I am really confused in 2014 so far!


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Just Enjoy The Show…Johnny “Football” Manziel

Posted on January 1, 2014 by admin

Just enjoy the show folks…the Johnny “Football” Manziel Show.  We saw it on display in Atlanta last night in what was likely his final collegiate appearance as the Texas A & M Aggies came from behind to defeat Duke (outstanding performance, had to feel for them!), 52 – 48.  Manziel is without a doubt, the greatest show in college football.  Love him, hate it, or just don’t care (anyone?), he is the most entertaining player in the game.  Ironically, speaking of enjoy the show, the Duke coaching staff had instructed their defense to not watch the show.  How could you not?  And kudos to the Chick-fil-A Bowl.  They always seem to deliver as well with a fantastic game on New Years Eve.  (By the way..Happy 2014!!)  It would also be remiss to not congratulate Duke head coach David Sutcliffe, this year’s winner of the Bobby Dodd excellence in coaching award.

Duke came out poised and played lights out in the first half.  They stunned the Aggies, who seemed to be pressing a bit, a lot of tension of the sidelines as everyone sensed Manziel really wanted to put on a show for his fans in this game.  Anthony Boone (Duke QB) was tremendous!  The first quarter and most of the first half was all about the Dukies!  They had leads of 21- 3, 28 – 10 and later in the second half, 38 – 17.  But here comes Johnny….making one play that prompted tweets from pro athletes to the tune of “OMG…did he really just do that”?  Johnny “Football” does not have the talent level and or the defense as a supporting cast at the level of say a Jamies Winston (FSU), A J McCarron (Alabama) or even Marcus Mariota of Oregon.  It is to a large extent, on Johnny “Football”‘s shoulders to get it done.  And he does.  He has a great coach in Kevin Sumlin, total class act.  As a side note, he has announced that he will not be accepting any interview requests for NFL jobs.  David Shaw of Stanford has made a similar statement.  Manziel has helped bring A & M football back to relevance, just at a time when things were most difficult for them as they joined the vaunted SEC.  Defeating eventual National Champions Alabama last year was one of his defining moments as he went on to become the first freshman to win the Heisman Trophy.  His numbers are ridiculous and he is an emotional and fiery leader.  He is a bit small in stature (6’1” maybe) as far as an NFL career but hey, Russell Wilson with the Seattle Seahawks has shown us that means nothing.  So Johnny came down to Georgia and puts on a show.  But the show ended with heroics provided by an unlikely source, the A & M defense.  A huge pick six by Tony Hurd, Jr. in the fourth quarter was the score that put the Aggies ahead for the first time in the game.  Later, with time winding down under two minutes…Anthony Boone continued to lead Duke down the field in pursuit of the winning score and what would give Duke their first bowl victory since the 1968 Cotton Bowl.  Alas, under pressure and attempting to throw the ball away, he did, right into the hands of Aggie defensive back Askew.  Johnny takes a knee and the Aggies hoist the Chick-fil-A trophy.  If you missed it, well, you really did miss it!  It was special!

The ACC suffered three losses yesterday in bowl games, Duke’s loss should have an asterisk,,,they played a great game.  Virginia Tech and Boston College were embarrassed.  BC lost to Arizona,  42 – 19.  Virginia Tech lost to UCLA, 42 – 12.  Logan Thomas, starting VT QB was injured in the first half (shoulder, stinger) and did not return.  Brett Hundley of UCLA was a superstar and the touching story at intermission about his relationship with his sister makes you respect him all the more.

Today…bowl games all day!  UGA vs. Nebraska (Gator); Iowa vs. LSU (Outback Bowl); Wisconsin vs. South Carolina (Capital One Bowl).  The former will for sure be the last collegiate game for Jadeveon Clowney of the Gamecocks.  Love the comments by head coach Steve Spurrier this week regarding Clowney’s poor driving skills!

Late this afternoon, 4:30pm EST, is the “Grandaddy of them all”, the Rose Bowl.  I am looking forward to this match up as much if not more than the National Title game.  5 Stanford vs. 4 Michigan State!  Strength vs. Strength!  This game should be a great watch!  Don’t miss it and I will be back with you later….

A bit of CFB coaching news…Penn State head coach Bill O’Brien is returning to the NFL to take the vacant head coaching job with the Houston Texans.  1FSU head coach Jimbo Fisher has signed a five year extension but..the eyes of Texas are still upon him!

And finally, congratulations to Rory Mcilroy and Caroline Wozniacki who announced their New Year’s eve engagement!  She said yes!  (And why wouldn’t she?)  Cute couple who really support each other.

 


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Happy New Year and Surviving “Paradise”

Posted on December 31, 2013 by admin

Happy New Year to all of you!  Here’s to a great 2014 for all of us!  Time to ring out the old and bring in the new!  I am ready, how about you?

Be safe, have fun and enjoy all the great bowl games!  Also, why not check out my book Surviving “Paradise” by Susan Willoch Shaver.  It is a funny and entertaining read about a Southern woman who relocates to a new town in southwest Florida only to be met by a ridiculous set of people and circumstances!  Nothing better to start off the new year than a good laugh full of good cheer!

Again, wishing everyone a healthy, happy and prosperous New Year!!Surviving Paradise


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Another Bowl game, another loss for GT

Posted on December 30, 2013 by admin

Another bowl game, another loss for Georgia Tech.  It is unfortunately an all too familiar story…this time it was to Ole Miss, 25 – 17 in Nashville, TN (Music City Bowl).  Darn, another SEC victory over the ACC.  They did manage a victory over USC last year, but this game makes for another poor showing for the Jackets in bowl appearances under Coach Paul Johnson.  To be fair, they have played some tough competition, LSU and Iowa to name two.  Ironically, they were an eight point favorite coming into this game today, and then managed to in fact lose the game by eight points.  They had their chances, Ole Miss even helped them out a bit, two missed field goals and a missed PAT by the Rebels kept offering the chance for the Jackets to take the game.  They even seized the momentum in the second half, trailing 23 – 7, following an interception of Bo Wallace the Jackets turned it into a quick TD with a beautiful 72 yard pass from Vad Lee to D. Waller.  Still, the Jackets just could not move the ball consistently on offense (with the exception of their opening drive, several Ole Miss defensive starters sitting due to “disciplinary reasons”).  Probably helped  the Rebels that Dave Womack is their current defensive coordinator.  He served in the same capacity for two years under Johnson at GT so he knows a lot about how to “stop the option”.  Anyhow, really a shame to see Georgia Tech lose the bowl game and finish the year at 7-7.  Player of the game was Ole Miss QB Bo Wallace with 255 yards passing, 91 yards rushing, and he was playing with an arm that is not fully recovered from surgery.  OK…moving on…

Earlier today, Navy defeated Middle Tennessee State, 24 – 6 in the Armed Forces Bowl.  This game got a wee bit contentious, a Navy player was even ejected on a questionable targeting call.  Currently, Mack Brown is coaching Texas for the last time as they take on Marcus Mariota and the Quack Attack of Oregon in the Alamo Bowl.  Score is 13-7 early in the 2nd quarter.  Nice to see Oregon QB Mariota healthy, not wearing a brace on his left knee for the first time in quite a while.  (Believe he had to wear it in the final five games of the regular season).  Also, Oregon has the best uniforms hands down.  Wonder if they will break out another one for the second half?  Nope, same unis and same Ducks!  Final score: Oregon 30 – Texas 7.  Marcus Mariota named Player of the Game with 253 yards passing and 133 yards rushing!

Later tonight…10:15pm EST yet another bowl game…Arizona State vs. Texas Tech in San Diego (Holiday Bowl).  We are just getting started folks so enjoy…more tomorrow and right on through til the “big one” on January 6, 2014, 1FSU vs. 2 Auburn!  Update: Texas Tech takes it to 14 Arizona State, 37 – 23!

In tennis news, Roger Federer is in Australia a bit early this year.  He will compete in the Brisbane International Tournament for the first time in his career.  This will serve as his tune up for the Australian Open which gets underway January 12, 2014.  He has added Stefan Edberg to his team and yes, he is currently using a new, larger Wilson racquet as he will attempt to add another Grand Slam title in 2014.  I believe he can do it…#18!  Of course as previously reported, he will also add to his family in 2014 as he and wife Mirka are expecting their third child (their twin daughters are four and will turn five in July of 2014).

Until later…


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Rocky Mountain High…Peyton Manning and Broncos roll!!

Posted on December 29, 2013 by susan

Rocky Mountain High..Peyton Manning and the Denver Broncos rolled over Oakland (in Oakland) 34 – 14 to clinch the #1 seed in the AFC!  MVP year continued for Manning who only played in the first half along with numerous other starters.  Manning was 25/28 with 266 yards and 4TD ‘s.  That means he now holds the record for most TD passes in a season with 55!  He also surpassed the singles season passing yardage mark of 5,476 yards previously held by Drew Brees.  (5,477!)  And, the Broncos set an NFL record for points scored in a regular season at 606.  Just another walk in the park for the great Peyton Manning.  Be Be Thomas had two TD catches and again, over 100 yards receiving in the first half.

Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers returned to action for Green Bay as they took on Chicago at Soldier Field.  Quite a back and forth ball game with the Packers prevailing, 33 – 28, winning their division and sending the Bears home for the playoffs.  Rodgers had over 300 yards passing with 2TD’s and also two first half interceptions.

The Atlanta Falcons finished their dismal year with a 21 – 20 loss to the Carolina Panthers at home.  The Panthers clinch the NFL south and the Falcons will look to next year to figure things out.  Sad way for Tony G to go out…really hate it for the future Hall of Famer!

Tonight, Dallas (without Tony Romo, back surgery) will face off against the Eagles to decide the NFC East.  Another, win or go home game!  San Diego clinched a playoff spot (wild card) and will be a dangerous team when the post season rolls around.

In CBB, Georgia Tech narrowly defeated Charlotte, 58 – 55.  Player of the game, Trae Golden made a three point shot for the Jackets and then the 3 point basket by Henry of Charlotte was waived off, coming just a tad too late in regulation.  The Jackets will now embark on their ACC schedule!

Tomorrow, Georgia Tech will play Ole Miss in the Music City Bowl in Nashville.  GT is a 8 point favorite!  GO JACKETS!  Later, Oregon vs. Texas!  GO DUCKS!

Later folks…it is cold outside…anybody else having a Thanksgiving/Christmas hangover?


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Stefan Edberg officially joins “Team Federer”

Posted on December 27, 2013 by susan

Stefan Edberg has officially joined “Team Federer”, well at least for ten weeks beginning with the Australian Open in January 2014.  So those rumors of Edberg practicing with Federer in Dubai did have a significance after all!!  Edberg, the former Swedish tennis great, has been an idol of Roger’s along with Pete Sampras and this “hiring” follows a current trend in men’s tennis…hiring former greats as coaches.  Andy Murray for example of course hired Ivan Lendl a couple of years ago and proceeded to win an Olympic gold medal and Wimbledon last year.  More recently, Novak Djokovic hired Boris Becker as an addition to his team.  Now, Roger has followed suit after parting ways with Paul Annacone who had been a part of his team for three and a half years.  That pairing saw Fed win Wimbledon in 2012 and regain the #1 world ranking and hold it for enough weeks to pass Pete Sampras and set yet another Federer record in the books.  So, now Edberg comes on board to see what magic can occur in 2014.  Severin Luthi (Swiss Davis Cup captain and longtime Fed friend/coach) will remain and wife, Mirka is very involved in tennis strategy and decision making.  Another announcement proceeded this one in the Federer camp.  Roger announced that four year old twin daughters, Charlene and Myla would become big sisters in 2014!  Aww…..so congrats and here’s to hoping that 2014 is a blessed year for the Federer family.  A new baby and hopefully another Grand Slam title (#18)!!

The bowl games are on and there are just so many, enjoy watching but hard to keep up with all of them.  Still, they are meaningful and special for those teams participating.  Pitt defeated Bowling Green 30 – 27 in the Little Caesars Bowl.  A true freshman RB, James Connor set a record, rushing for 226 yards.  Jordan Lynch (Heisman Trophy finalist) played his final game for 23 Northern Illinois and saw his last collegiate appearance result in a loss, going down to Utah State, 21 -14 in the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego.  Hey, at least the weather was nice.

Monday at 3:15 Georgia Tech will play Ole Miss in the Music City Bowl in Nashville, TN.  I love the way ESPN has the scroll across the bottom of the screen with the prediction of the winner and the points.  ACC vs. SEC (just like in the National title game!) and Georgia Tech is a 8 point favorite.  Hope they are right!  GO JACKETS!

Enjoying the holidays everyone…I hope so!  Back with you soon!

 


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Stefan Edberg officially joins “Team Federer”

Posted on December 27, 2013 by admin

Stefan Edberg has officially joined “Team Federer”, well at least for ten weeks beginning with the Australian Open in January 2014.  So those rumors of Edberg practicing with Federer in Dubai did have a significance after all!!  Edberg, the former Swedish tennis great, has been an idol of Roger’s along with Pete Sampras and this “hiring” follows a current trend in men’s tennis…hiring former greats as coaches.  Andy Murray for example of course hired Ivan Lendl a couple of years ago and proceeded to win an Olympic gold medal and Wimbledon last year.  More recently, Novak Djokovic hired Boris Becker as an addition to his team.  Now, Roger has followed suit after parting ways with Paul Annacone who had been a part of his team for three and a half years.  That pairing saw Fed win Wimbledon in 2012 and regain the #1 world ranking and hold it for enough weeks to pass Pete Sampras and set yet another Federer record in the books.  So, now Edberg comes on board to see what magic can occur in 2014.  Severin Luthi (Swiss Davis Cup captain and longtime Fed friend/coach) will remain and wife, Mirka is very involved in tennis strategy and decision making.  Another announcement proceeded this one in the Federer camp.  Roger announced that four year old twin daughters, Charlene and Myla would become big sisters in 2014!  Aww…..so congrats and here’s to hoping that 2014 is a blessed year for the Federer family.  A new baby and hopefully another Grand Slam title (#18)!!

The bowl games are on and there are just so many, enjoy watching but hard to keep up with all of them.  Still, they are meaningful and special for those teams participating.  Pitt defeated Bowling Green 30 – 27 in the Little Caesars Bowl.  A true freshman RB, James Connor set a record, rushing for 226 yards.  Jordan Lynch (Heisman Trophy finalist) played his final game for 23 Northern Illinois and saw his last collegiate appearance result in a loss, going down to Utah State, 21 -14 in the Poinsettia Bowl in San Diego.  Hey, at least the weather was nice.

Monday at 3:15 Georgia Tech will play Ole Miss in the Music City Bowl in Nashville, TN.  I love the way ESPN has the scroll across the bottom of the screen with the prediction of the winner and the points.  ACC vs. SEC (just like in the National title game!) and Georgia Tech is a 8 point favorite.  Hope they are right!  GO JACKETS!

Enjoying the holidays everyone…I hope so!  Back with you soon!

 


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Happy Holidays! Lakers go down but not without a fight…and more!

Posted on December 25, 2013 by susan

Ho, Ho, Ho, Happy Holidays!  Hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas Day and Santa was good to you!  Christmas Day and the Lakers is special, always has been for many years.  Today, the Heat with LeBron and Wade came a calling in LA and the Lakers were without Kobe (what a shame!) and also Steve Nash and Steve Blake.  They did  get Jordan Farmar back but still went down, 101-95.  Not without a fight mind you, the Lakers were in it, just over powered by a more talented and well stocked Miami Heat team.  Nice to see the embrace between LeBron and Kobe (who did in fact sit on the bench, at the very end of it throughout the game) and also Wade and Kobe as well.  Two, three MVP’s paying their respects and wishing each other well.  The Lakers are now 0-5 against the Heat on Christmas Day!  Don’t give up Lakers fans…Kobe will be back and if they can just get healthy, perhaps the playoffs are not out of the question..Tis the season!!!  Gabrielle Union was in the house, Wades’s finance, sporting a very beautiful and expensive diamond engagement ring.  Congrats to those two!

Speaking of congrats…Roger Federer announced that his two twin daughters, Charlotte and Myla will become big sisters in 2014!  A new Federer baby is due in the new year and Fed fans can also hope and wish for another Grand Slam title for Mr. Federer (#18?)!  Why not…it is a New Year and anything and everything is possible!!

In other sports news..Oregon State demolished Boise State last evening in the Hawaii Bowl.  Jameis Winston (FSU QB and Heisman Trophy winner)  was named AP Player of the Year.  Army has hired Jeff Monken away from Georgia Southern to be their next head coach.  Monken came to Georgia Tech with Paul Johnson from Navy and then left to coach at Georgia Southern.  He now returns as a head coach at one of our prized military academies.  Well done, Jeff Monken.  By the way, Boise State has of course lost their long time head coach, Chris Peterson, who now moves onto the University of Washington to replace Steve Sarkisian who is headed to USC.  The coaching carousel is well under way.  Who will the University of Texas find to replace Mack Brown?  Perhaps we will find out soon, or perhaps it will be a New Year surprise!

Back to the Lakers, Kobe is expected to return in about six weeks, knowing Kobe, it could be sooner and he will be in uniform and playing when the Lakers travel to Miami to take on the Heat on January 23, 2014.

Moving to Pop Culture news…one of my all time favorites Meg Ryan is in LA as she prepares to shoot the pilot for her upcoming NBC sitcom set to debut in the fall of 2014, if all goes well.  Rumor has it she has split from her boyfriend of three years, John Mellencamp.  He does not like the “mean streets of New York”, Meg’s current residence.  Never can tell if this is true or not.  But, I am happy to see Meg returning to acting and truly hope her new project is a success!

Hope everyone one is happy and stuffed today and settling in for the bowl season.   A lot of great games are on tap for us leading up to the final BCS title game on January 6th.  FSU is the early favorite but as of today, I am picking Auburn in an “upset”.  Give me time to change my mind…FSU is the winner on paper but Auburn seems to be the team of destiny.  Still plenty of time to take it all in and see how I feel in a week!

Until later…All Right!  All Right!  All Right!

Oops..it is Wednesday so I guess I will do my thing..promote my book Surviving “Paradise” by Susan Willoch Shaver.  Why not check it out during the holidays for a good read!  It is an entertaining and funny story full of comedy and drama about a southern woman who relocates to a new town in southwest Florida only to be met by a ridiculous set of people and circumstances.  Curl up and enjoy!  It will not let you down!  Surviving ParadiseThanks.


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Happy Holidays! Lakers go down but not without a fight…and more!

Posted on December 25, 2013 by admin

Ho, Ho, Ho, Happy Holidays!  Hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas Day and Santa was good to you!  Christmas Day and the Lakers is special, always has been for many years.  Today, the Heat with LeBron and Wade came a calling in LA and the Lakers were without Kobe (what a shame!) and also Steve Nash and Steve Blake.  They did  get Jordan Farmar back but still went down, 101-95.  Not without a fight mind you, the Lakers were in it, just over powered by a more talented and well stocked Miami Heat team.  Nice to see the embrace between LeBron and Kobe (who did in fact sit on the bench, at the very end of it throughout the game) and also Wade and Kobe as well.  Two, three MVP’s paying their respects and wishing each other well.  The Lakers are now 0-5 against the Heat on Christmas Day!  Don’t give up Lakers fans…Kobe will be back and if they can just get healthy, perhaps the playoffs are not out of the question..Tis the season!!!  Gabrielle Union was in the house, Wades’s finance, sporting a very beautiful and expensive diamond engagement ring.  Congrats to those two!

Speaking of congrats…Roger Federer announced that his two twin daughters, Charlotte and Myla will become big sisters in 2014!  A new Federer baby is due in the new year and Fed fans can also hope and wish for another Grand Slam title for Mr. Federer (#18?)!  Why not…it is a New Year and anything and everything is possible!!

In other sports news..Oregon State demolished Boise State last evening in the Hawaii Bowl.  Jameis Winston (FSU QB and Heisman Trophy winner)  was named AP Player of the Year.  Army has hired Jeff Monken away from Georgia Southern to be their next head coach.  Monken came to Georgia Tech with Paul Johnson from Navy and then left to coach at Georgia Southern.  He now returns as a head coach at one of our prized military academies.  Well done, Jeff Monken.  By the way, Boise State has of course lost their long time head coach, Chris Peterson, who now moves onto the University of Washington to replace Steve Sarkisian who is headed to USC.  The coaching carousel is well under way.  Who will the University of Texas find to replace Mack Brown?  Perhaps we will find out soon, or perhaps it will be a New Year surprise!

Back to the Lakers, Kobe is expected to return in about six weeks, knowing Kobe, it could be sooner and he will be in uniform and playing when the Lakers travel to Miami to take on the Heat on January 23, 2014.

Moving to Pop Culture news…one of my all time favorites Meg Ryan is in LA as she prepares to shoot the pilot for her upcoming NBC sitcom set to debut in the fall of 2014, if all goes well.  Rumor has it she has split from her boyfriend of three years, John Mellencamp.  He does not like the “mean streets of New York”, Meg’s current residence.  Never can tell if this is true or not.  But, I am happy to see Meg returning to acting and truly hope her new project is a success!

Hope everyone one is happy and stuffed today and settling in for the bowl season.   A lot of great games are on tap for us leading up to the final BCS title game on January 6th.  FSU is the early favorite but as of today, I am picking Auburn in an “upset”.  Give me time to change my mind…FSU is the winner on paper but Auburn seems to be the team of destiny.  Still plenty of time to take it all in and see how I feel in a week!

Until later…All Right!  All Right!  All Right!

Oops..it is Wednesday so I guess I will do my thing..promote my book Surviving “Paradise” by Susan Willoch Shaver.  Why not check it out during the holidays for a good read!  It is an entertaining and funny story full of comedy and drama about a southern woman who relocates to a new town in southwest Florida only to be met by a ridiculous set of people and circumstances.  Curl up and enjoy!  It will not let you down!  Surviving ParadiseThanks.


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