RADFORD 67, RICHMOND 50

Unless you graduated from Radford Uinversity that score means nothing to you. At this point you can either stop reading or allow me to get a little excited.

For years the University of Richmond has belittled my beloved university year-after-year on the basketball court but on Wednesday evening inside the Robins Center in Richmond, Va. a small slice of revenage was exacted on. Finally after 13 meetings inside the Robins Center, the Highlanders were victorious!!

Going to a small Division I athletics instituion there normally isn't much time for celebration until the end of the season when everything is on the line (i.e. an NCAA Tournament berth) but for one evening in late November it feels like, at least for brief moment, like we are on top of the college basketball world.

BEST BELT BUCKLE EVER!

Yes, I now own this ...

"THE REAL PERSONALITY TEST"

You Are Bart Simpson

Very misunderstood, most people just dismiss you as "trouble." Little do they know that you're wise and well accomplished beyond your years. You will be remembered for: starring in your own TV show and saving the town from a comet Your life philosophy: "I don't know why I did it, I don't know why I enjoyed it, and I don't know why I'll do it again!"

The Simpsons Personality Test

I am not joking this is who I can up as after taking the Simpsons Personality Test! Un-freakin-real and funny! Of course it is just a quick five question test.

U2 IS COMING ...

This is going to be amazing next few weekends at Granger Community Church. The much waited for series based around U2 songs kicks off in a few days! If you are in the Michiana area, you have to take the time to come and be apart of it!

Just take 2 minutes to watch the kick-off video - here.

Series Page

HALL OF FAME

Oh, how quickly one individual can fall from grace.

Not even a decade ago people were hailing Mark McGwire as one of the best things to happen to the game of baseball. His 70 homerun season of 1998 was, without a doubt, one of the most exciting things to watch in sports history.

The guy's body breakdowns quickly there after and he retires. No big deal, right? Then his former "bash brother" buddy, Jose Canseco, writes his book and before you know it McGwire is in front of a Congressional Committee looking like one of the most guilty people in the history of athletics.

It was really dissapointing to see a guy who had everything going for him just "sell us out" down the river because he couldn't admit that he did steroids. Image tainted, records tainted, his reputions tainted forever. His admission certainly wouldn't have fixed everything, so to speak, but at least it would have given his fans some of level of honesty.

Now he is on the Hall of Fame ballot for the class of 2007. Usually a guy with 500+ homeruns, a couple All-Star game apperances, a Rookie of the Year award and a few Gold Gloves to name a few gets into the Hall of Fame without a problem.

McGwire doesn't deserve the honor and he will be the first of many people (Canseco, Rafael Palmario, maybe Barry Bonds) who's character will finally come into the voting process. Cheaters, and that's what McGwire is, don't belong in the Hall of Fame.

STEVE TAYLOR

You want to talk about Revelutionary before that terms was popularized, let me briefly introduce you to Steve Taylor.

The guy came out with his first album, "I want to be a clone" in the early 80's and kind of basically disapeared in the vast musically space about a decade later. He has re-surfaced in the entertainment industry as a film maker but at his peak he put artists like Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, Petra, DC Talk, etc., etc. to shame.

He was just flat out way ahead of his time with his lyrics, his stage show and his message. Maybe a little odd or strange but after seeing him live one time I was 100% sold. I miss Steve Taylor! If you got a few minutes check out his video for "Clone" - here. I also highly recommend following along with the lyrics - here.

MUSIC SELECTION

Over the past few weeks I have purchased a few CD's for my collections, so let me give you a few of my thoughts:

AWAKE - Josh Groban

Another amazing effort. I don't know how this guy just keeps on producing his amazing albums but he just does. I might be bias but his voice is probably the best of my generation (although Justin Timberlake is a close second - HA!). Of his three studio this one doesn't quite measure up to the other two. With that being said I think he is allowed an A- effort after back-to-back A+ albums. Just three months to his Feb. 24 concert in Chicago!

Should you buy it? -- If you like music at it's most pure then you must!

HOW TO SAVE A LIFE - The Fray

I must admit that I went and saw their concert as well as met the lead singer Isaac Slade before buying this album. Kind of dumb on my part. After being pleasantly surprised after the concert I finally laid down $10.00 (or so) to buy the album. While it probably won't win any Grammy it's a great album from start to finish. Certainly the first two singles are outstanding but the other 10 songs are very good as well. Fairly thought provoking lyrics. Good driving music as well!

Should you buy it? -- If you like bands like Goo Goo Dolls, James Blunt and such then you would most likely enjoy this album!

EYES OPEN - Snow Patrol

I still remember were I was the first time I heard the first three songs of this album - Borders Bookstore in downtown Boulder, CO in late May. This is album is pretty solid. Probably one or two songs that I really don't care for but overall what an amazing collections of songs. At least for me, "Chasing Cars" is one of the best songs of the year. Gary Lightbody has perfect vocals for the type music they produce. These guys are onto something big.

Should you buy it? -- If you like Keane, John Mayer and the Fray then this album is a must have.

BEST PLAY EVER?

In the history of college football has there ever been a play more exciting, amazing, shocking, etc. then Doug Flutie' hail mary pass to Gerald Phelan on Nov. 23, 1984?

Thursday was the 22-year anniversary of the play and, well, Boston College hasn't beat Miami since then. But, still, what a play to watch!

HERE

THANKSGIVING DAY

What's the best part of Thanksgiving Day? The way I see it, there are three:

1) Football
2) Food
3) Friends/Family

Not necessarily in that order ... Enjoy the day!

And, hey, if you don't like any of those options just be thankful for life!

"END OF POVERTY"

If you are ever in a bookstore take a few moments to read some of "End of Poverty" by Jeffrey Sachs.

The book shows people who think that ending world poverty is too big of a task that they are dead wrong. This is something that can be stopped. It's a great read from an economic perspective.

Find Hope!

ERWIN Q&A

"I have so much confidence in the reality of Jesus that I feel no pressure to try to make people act or be a certain way. I’m banking everything on the fact that God actually changes people."

Relevent Magazine recently did a five question interview with Erwin McManus. It is well worth the read.

HERE

COLLEGE HOOPS

So the college basketball season is officially underway now. I currently can't predict anything correctly but trying to see into the future is fun so here's my list:

FINAL FOUR CONTENDERS -- Kansas, UCLA, Florida, UNC, Ohio State, LSU, Texas, Duke

OTHERS TO CONSIDER - Georgetown, Alabama, Arizona, Wisconsin. Louisville

DON'T BUY THE HYPE (EVER!) - Gonzaga

There is so much that goes into four, or so, month regular season then to have your entire effort come down to one game on potenially six different occasions is often nauseating but sure fun to watch!

GOD IN YOUR iPOD

WSBT did a story during their Monday evening newscast about churches doing podcasts. Kind of interesting piece. Does anyone else find it exciting that news outlets are covering stories like this?

WATCH

BABEL

"If you want to be understood ... Listen"

Three days later, I am still not sure what I think of this movie.

In any given year I only go to about 4 or 5 movies. I was very intrigued about going to see "Babel" from the moment I saw the first trailer. (See Trailer)

There is no doubt in my mind that the concept for this movie is brilliant. It is taken from the passage in Genesis 11:1-9 and essentially lets that "play out" over the next 2 1/2 hours. However, never once is the passage mentioned in the movie. (Maybe it is suppose to be understood from the trailer.)

About half way through the film I was kind bored but yet too intrigued to leave. That and I paid $6.00 so I might as well stay. Yet there is no doubt that my curiousity kept me engaged with the film. I also found myself comparing it to the movie "Crash" on some levels but really the two movies are different however, still the same. I know it sounds weird but if you have seen both maybe you understand were I am coming from.

I feel like I want to see this movie again because I feel like there was so much going on that I missed. I have a feeling this is going to be one of those movies that gets lots of Oscar buzz because of the creative way it was put together. I love anything that has good creativity and if this movie has one thing, it is very creative.

If you appreciate art and you are not afraid of thinking. This movie is for you. If you like mindless stuff, then don't see it.

COLLEGE GRIDIRON FUN

Leave it to the best story in college football this season to throw a a wrench into the national title scene.

Undefeated Rutgers just knock off previously undefeated Louisville on Thursday evening in one of the more entertaining games recently played. By far the biggest win in Scarlet Knights history.

Yet, the biggest Rutgers football fans don't live in Northern New Jersey. The minute the clock hit 0:00 in Piscataway, NJ the biggest fans of the Scarlet Knights live in Austin, TX and Gainesville, FL and Los Angeles, CA and Berkeley, CA and Auburn, AL and (dare I say!) South Bend, IN.

Who is the best one-loss team in the nation because most likely whoever plays the Ohio State/Michigan winner (assuming both win this weekend) in the BCS Championship game on Jan. 8 is going have one loss.

The Ohio State/Michigan Loser -- This team will have just one loss so should there be a rematch of this game in championship game in Tempe, AZ? It could happen if the game is extremely close through out but that rematch is doubtful.

Texas -- If they win out they have a legit chance to have a chance to defend their national title. I am bias. However, that darn SEC ...

Florida, Auburn, Arkansas (SEC) -- One of these three teams probably has the inside track to the national title game if one of them wins out. However, Auburn might not even play for their conference championship.

USC, Cal -- Once again, you can make a great argument for of these two teams if they win out. They play each other on Nov. 18 with the winner getting a bid to the title game??!?

Notre Dame -- It's a huge longshot. IF USC was still undefeated it would be a different argument but the Trojans aren't and the Irish will have to settle for BCS Bowl but not the championship game.

If Texas and the USC/Cal winner wins out they are probably the odd teams out IF (and it's a big if) the SEC Champion has one loss.

However, what if Rutgers continues to be undefeated? Why not give them a chance because they would have beaten Louisville and West Virginia in the process. Their non-conference schedule is probably a bit too weak.

Four Saturday's of college football left in the regular season. Let the fun continue.

PREPARE FOR IMPACT

So what is that piece of cheese you should
be going for in your life?

U2 @ GCC

Granger Community Church's "Christmas Series" is based around U2 songs!

A U2 Christmas at Granger

TRIBUTE TO THE TIRADE

After yesterday's Notre Dame/UNC game I was able to watch the coaches post-game press conferences. I was able to finish-up my normal post-game duties way ahead of schedule so I decided to watch the coaches.

There's nothing like watching a frustrated coach during a press conference. I wish some how I could show some of the video from UNC's coach because he was pretty ticked and frustrated. In honor of his frustration, here's YouTube's look at some of the best coaches tirades with the media:

HERE

SOUL CRAVINGS

Erwin McManus' new book arrives in bookstores on Nov. 14.

If you are interested in getting the word out about promoting the book, there's a MySpace site you can navigate around to help spread the word - here.

There is a ground force team that is letting people know about the book on college campuses around the nation - here.

SOUTH BEND TRIBUNE

Much to my surprise this morning when I picked up the South Bend Tribune I made the front page of the sports section. Seriously, that's me between those two players with the headset on along press row! (if you click on the picture you can see it on a larger scale)

NBA

So the NBA started on Tuesday evening.

There is only one reason to watch the NBA this season:



This Guy
(<----)



And he isn't even 22 years old yet! Everyone else just doesn't measure up. Although Dwayne Wade is a close second.

NEED MOTIVATION?

This might be my new favorite saying/quote/whatever ...

"According to aerodynamic laws, the bumblebee cannot fly. Its body weight is not the right proportion to its wingspan. Ignoring these laws, the bee flies anyway."

... so go freakin Challenge Yourself and Live!