Patience is a Virtue

 Unfortunately, I’m not one of those fine people who was blessed with patience.  I absolutely hate waiting.  I will do it, but I won’t like it.

I’m sitting here waiting on Open Office to download.  Yeah, I get it, takes time to do this, but in the mean time I’m holding off doing something I need to do until It’s downloaded.  I was going to download Microsoft Office, however I have read rave reviews on Open Office, so I figured I would give it a shot and see how it goes.

So, knowing how I lack the patience thing, it should be said that lately I have been making others wait.  Horrifying I know, especially for someone who hates the whole waiting thing to begin with.  In my defense, it’s not necessarily because I just think it would be fun to make others wait, more so because I have a tendency to take on too many things at one time.  I get so bad that once I start something I will work on it to the point of exhaustion and irritate myself (imagine that!) because things are just not the way I would like them to be.

I have a couple of pages of requests that I haven’t even started on yet. Partly because lately I have been feeling a bit under appreciated, and partly because I just haven’t had much of the creativity bug flowing freely through me.

Ok, the second part isn’t entirely true.  I was searching for something (I can’t fathom right now what it was, but I know it had something to do with graphics) and came across this site that allows you to set up your own shop (for free) and you can create T-Shirts, Mugs, Magnets, etc.  and sell them for varying profits.  Most are well aware that A-Day is coming up so I had the brilliant idea of making some A-Day t-shirts.

Great Idea, right?  I thought it was.   I mostly just wanted to make my own.  You wouldn’t believe how complicated it can really be.  Don’t get me wrong.  The graphics part is easy for me, right?  Well, yeah.  The hard part is making a T-shirt that has something to do with the A-day game and NOT using any trademark or copy write graphics from the University.  Mhmm.  VERY aggravating!!!  Seriously, can you really copy write the name of a STATE?  A Phrase??????  The word “Bama”?????  ARGH!!!!!  I’m wondering if the makers of the movie “Crimson Tide” had to pay royalties to the University in order to use that title.

In order to use trademark or copy write graphics/logos, etc. you have to apply for a license from the CLC.  Ok, so that isn’t so hard.  Yeah, right.  You fill out the application, then wait for the CLC to contact you for more information.  Then you have to PAY for the privilege of have this license, provide a marketing plan, and once you go through that process you have to wait for approval from said University.  Essentially, weather you are approved or not, the money you paid to have the license to begin with is wasted, and on top of that you have to pay the University 8% of your profit.  Do they really have to make it so difficult for a small business wannabe to actually accomplish something?  If you have ever wondered why it can be rather costly to by officially licensed stuff, this is why.  Making the shirt itself is cheap, but once you factor in the license, and the royalty fees you end up paying $25 for a $10 shirt.  Sounds reasonable, yes?

Ok, so I got a bit side tracked.  The phrase “Roll Tide” is trademarked.  “Bama” is trademarked.  I expected the University of Alabama to be trademarked, but “Alabama”? As I said before, it’s the name of a state, can you really penalize someone for use of it?

I knew before I even started the whole process of making the t-shirts that I wouldn’t be able to use any graphics for the University…this is a issue, especially if you intend to sell the t-shirts, however I thought I could work with that.  I had no clue that “Roll Tide” was copy write protected, so used it in one of my designs.  Much to my surprise, it was flagged a day later for violating copy write infringement.   At first, I had no clue why the shirts were not showing up in my store and then clicked on the button under the graphic to see what was up, and was notified that there was something within the graphic that could be at issue for violating a copy write…I knew that being I used no graphics it had to be the “Roll Tide”.  I looked it up at the Universities website and low and behold, copy rited!  UGH!  I even tweaked the image so that I could still use Roll Tide, and just added an extra Roll, however it was still flagged.

Now, I can use ROLLTIDE making it one word, however I didn’t find this out until after I already tweaked the t-shirt and didn’t feel like tweaking it once again.

Anyhow, all this said, I haven’t sold ONE shirt.  Kinda sucks cuz I thought the ones I made weren’t too bad.  Guess no one likes them, or maybe they are too expensive, although I made it so I only make about a buck off of each shirt.  Oh well.  Sometimes I guess chances are made. *shrugging shoulders*.

Wohoo!! Julio is Alabama’s!

I got home about 15 minuets ago from my doctor’s appointment and was pleased to discover that Julio Jones has signed with Alabama!!!! I was quite frustrated on the drive home because I couldn’t find a thing that had to do with the NSD lineup on the radio at all!!! Shame on you RADIO folks!!!!

Also signed as of now is Marcel Darius and Alonzo Lawrence!! More WOHOOO! We have ourselves an INCREDIBLE recruiting class and as of right now we are ranked #1 in the nation!!!!

While watching ESPN this morning there was a story about USC’s early rank at #1 and the team to beat for next season. First off, I think this is ludicrous. USC for the last few years has somehow always ended up at #1 and the team to beat, however for the last two years hasn’t even managed to get into the National Title game….and both times it was a SEC team to win it. I think it’s about time for the rest of the nation in college football to recognize that the SEC is the powerhouse, and in the end we are coming out on top. I feel it’s time we (in the SEC) are recognized for this, and also feel it’s about time for someone (ANYONE) other than USC to be predicted at #1.

Sorry for the rant. That just really irritated me…..I’m off to enjoy the rest of signing day!

Finally Here, National Signing Day!

I have pretty much been waiting for this day since the end of regular season play. Some may wonder why this is, but simply, it’s the future of Alabama Football.

Since shortly before Thanksgiving, Alabama coaches have been tirelessly scouting for top recruits and those elusive diamonds in the ruff. I have to admit, I am shocked at what Alabama has come up with. I never doubted it would be good, but I’m going to go out on a limb and call the recruiting efforts phenomenal.

I think most are aware of the commitments Alabama has already have received. As an update, Mark Ingram (Michigan) has committed to the Tide. I am actually quite shocked at his decision to go with the Tide being that Mark was heavily recruited by Michigan where both his father (drafted in the NFL) and grandfather attended, however I am so happy to welcome him to the Tide Nation!!! He will be a wonderful asset and Mark is quoted as saying that he loves the tradition at Alabama and that the SEC is the strongest division in the country. He also went on to say that his gut just told him Alabama was the perfect fit, and he is very happy with his decision.

Julio Jones is the big ticket today. He is scheduled to announce his decision at 11:30 AM (I’m so upset because I have a doctor’s appointment and unfortunately it’s not one of those in and out deals) and at last look his top picks were Alabama, Oklahoma (who is recruiting him hard), and Florida. Rumor is that his best friend is Robert Lester who committed during regular season with Alabama, and most likely Julio’s announcement will weigh heavily on this. Let’s hope. I have also heard rumors that Julio was leaning to Oklahoma, but rumors are rumors and I have not read about anything to back that up.

Antoine McClain will sign with Auburn. No, he has not said one way or another, just my gut feeling. Auburn is currently ranked #20 for Recruiting.

T. J. Bryant will announce his decision at noon. Alabama is on T.J.’s short list, but has kept his feelings quite hushed, so there is no telling witch way he will go.

Others who we are looking at:

Jerrell Harris, who is rumored to sign with Alabama. Marcel Dareus and Alonzo Lawrence are other picks that the Tide hope to pick up, however lately I haven’t seen much lean toward Alabama for their picks.

Look for surprises, and hopefully Julio will not be one of them. I have that Tim Tebow feeling again and I hate that.

If Alabama gets the official signers that it intends to get we will be ranked at the top for 2008 recruiting. Currently Florida is at #1, and Alabama is at #9 according to ESPN.

Scout.com has Alabama at #1 (in the country!) for our recruiting class thanks to Mark Ingrams commitment.

Also, a side note. It was rumored before that Star Jackson may be moved from the QB position to RB. It now seems that Coach Saban has rethought this and will keep Star at QB position. It is said that Star will be working heavily with Major Applewhite. (WOHOO!)

If there is anyone out there that will be keeping up with things today, I would greatly appreciate a message so that we might set up a way to notify me who Julio signs with before I get home to find out. GRRR….I would now like to change my appointment, please.

I’m out.

Update:2008 Season Opener

It has been confirmed that the University of Alabama will play the Clemson Tigers on Aug. 30th, 2008 at 7pm in Atlanta’s Superdome.

The Aug. 30 game will be televised nationally by either ABC or ESPN, with a 7 p.m. CT kickoff. Tickets and revenues after expenses will be split between the participating schools. The Chick-fil-A Bowl, which is managing the game, will take a management fee for its work in promoting the event.

Wohoo! It’s been a few years since the season opener was televised and not a PPV event.

Julio Jones, Alabama’s next best thing?

I have to do something in off season to keep myself close to Alabama football, in order to keep my mind off the fact that I have to wait 7 long and torturous months until I’m able to watch another Alabama game. Last season with all it’s up’s and down’s was pretty frustrating to me because I quite frankly thought the team as a whole had improved and the Topsy turvy season did more to piss me off than it did to keep me hopeful.

Hopeful I remain though. Alabama fan through and through and no matter how disappointed or mad I get, I will always be a fan. Two years ago, around this time I wrote a hopeful article about Tim Tebow and the slim possibility of him choosing Alabama as his college of choice. That was dashed soon after when on national signing day he chose Florida, not much of a surprise to most being that his parents attended the college themselves, but in my mind, there was always that slight glimmer of hope.

For the past few months, Alabama’s coaches have been tirelessly recruiting some of the top talents in the country, and boy have we come up with a handful of absolutely mind boggling talent. Currently, Alabama is ranked #2 for our recruiting class, and this is in the country folks. I will say it again, #2 in the country for recruiting! We currently have 26 commitments, and maybe 3 or 4 openings yet to fill. (Word is we may slip into #1 with a Duke (#1) commitment backing out).

Alabama is hoping to snag Julio Jones who is ranked #1 at rivals.com putting Alabama at the top for four and five star recruiting picks. (His commitment will put us at #1 in the nation.)

Wide Receiver
Foley (AL) Foley

Ht: 6-foot-4
Wt: 215 lbs
Forty: 4.48 secs
Bench max: 315 pounds
Bench reps: 13
Squat max: 505 pounds
Vertical: 41 inches
Shuttle: 4.69 secs
Class: 2008 (High School)

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to find much as to statistics for Julio*, but from everything I have read he is a phenomenal receiver and will be a big plus in the Tide’s jaunt to a SEC title. Espn.com says:

This guy is a unique, rare prospect for the wide receiver position with his supreme blend of size, power, speed and agility.

From everything I have read about him, he is going to be a something special, and with the other talented recruit commitments we already have, we are in for a really amazing ride in coming years.  Julio ranked in a total of 1,500 receiving yards and 15 touchdowns for Foley (Ala.) High School and is ranked #1 pick on most major sports polls.

Julio has not made a decision as of yet as to witch college he is going to attend, however Florida, Florida State, and Alabama appear to be at the top of his list.   Inside sources have said that Julio is very good friends with Starr Jackson, and a couple of other Alabama commitments, however that can’t be verified by me and who knows if that will have any impact on his final decision witch he intends to make on Feb 6. (National Signing Day.)

Other rumors have it that Julio has already made his decision and will sign with Alabama, however ESPN has pushed him to delay his commitment until NSD, I’m sure for viewer ship purposes.  Let’s face it, Julio is the new Tebow in their eyes, so I’m sure they are going to get as much out of it as they can.   Who knows, I really don’t care as long as on NSD, Julio says with a proud and hearty “Alabama”!

*Recruiting statistics are hard to find these days because every one of the recruiting sites only permit paid members to view information.  Makes it sucky for us who can’t afford it, nor feel it should be necessary to find these stats.*

I’m “Lost”

I’m first to admit, I am excited that the new season of Lost will be starting on Jan. 31st, especially after the crappy season finale last season.  ABC went so long that I almost thought that Lost had been canceled.

Anyhow, I’m sitting here this evening watching a rerun of Stargate:SG1 and a commercial comes on for Oceanic airlines.   Being that I am a “Lost” fan, I immediately thought it was just a spoof of a preview for the upcoming season, so I paid attention to it.  In the commercial 3 very attractive women (flight attendants) are talking about taking an “adventure” on Oceanic Airlines…then at the end of the commercial it shows a phone number to call for flight information, etc.

I ‘m floored, as well as a bit amused.  I’m sorry, I’m not a big “flier” to begin with, but there is no way in hell I’m going to get on a flight on Oceanic airlines, I don’t care how cheap their rates are or how much of an adventure it will be.  I mean seriously, was that supposed to be a joke?  Enjoy your adventure on Oceanic!

For those who may not be familiar with the program, “Lost” is based on a story that a group of people who are flying home to the US from Austraila on Oceanic Airline flight 815. The plane crashes (Is torn apart in the air) on a what at first appears to be a deserted Island, and chance of rescue is slim to none.

Yes, I get that “Lost” is a fictional program and for entertainment purposes and after  googling the airline I discovered it’s the official airline of ABC, and the program, I’m still not convinced that I would be getting on one of thier flights anytime in the near future, or ever for that matter.

In my warped mind, I could see myself being on the flight that actually makes the show reality.