Arkansas State's New Mascot Near

THE ARKANSAS STATE A-TRAIN


THE ARKANSAS STATE RIDGE RAIDERS


THE ARKANSAS STATE RED WOLVES


A-Train? You're kidding right? It doesn't make sense. If it's the Arkansas State A-Train, then what does the "A" stand for? Is it the Arkansas State Arkansas-Train? Engines and Express also suck. My advice: send railroad idea packing.

Ridge Raiders? Again, this makes no sense. The ridge in question is Crowley's Ridge. So, if you call yourself the Ridge Raiders, then the question must be asked: Why would raid your own ridge? For clarity, they should use the name Raiders From The Ridge. Ridge Runners? Ridge Riders? Ruffles have ridges. How about Arkansas State Potato Chips? My advice: bag the whole ridge thing.

Red Wolves? Yeah, that one works pretty well. At least it's better than the other two options. My advice to A-State fans: start howling.

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The trains that chug through the Arkansas State University campus, things that blow across Crowley’s Ridge and a red animal are three themes selected to provide the institution’s new mascot, a search committee decided Friday.

After meeting for three hours Friday morning, the committee gave a New York brand and logo designer the three ideas to convert into the university’s new team mascot.

“One of these three is going to be our choice,” said committee chairman Jim Pickens of Little Rock.

Members liked the train theme, expressing interest in the potential names of “A-Train,” “ Express” and “Engines.” They also favored “Ridge Runners” and “Ridge Raiders,” referring to the wind-blown silt formation of Crowley’s Ridge that runs through Jonesboro and northeast Arkansas.

Red Wolves, a selection mentioned three years ago when ASU first discussed changing its mascot, was the third choice.

The committee dropped the names, “Stampede,” “ Red Hawks ” and “Archers,” a reference to the concrete arch used as a symbol for the university.

The selected themes were given to Jamie Skiles, the director of Phoenix Design Works, a sports design and marketing firm in New York. Skiles will design three or four images for each theme and present them to the committee on Jan. 30.

“It’s not a logo we’re talking about,” Skiles said. “This is the future of the institution.” The committee gave Skiles a list of 700 suggested names last month; he categorized the list into workable names, nonworking suggestions and ridiculous ones.

He said the last category included names such as “Clintons,” “ Rednecks” and “Red Dragons.” “As far as I know, there’s never been dragons in this area,” Skiles joked. “You have a university with a 100-year history, and there’s no redeeming qualities that you have to invent a dragon ?

Bath Time

Jack, and the rest of us, have been recovering from a cold he picked up at daycare and shared so he hasn't quite been feeling himself. He's beginning to get his groove a back a bit though with only a cough remaining. Here he takes his first bubble bath.



His current music of choice while feeding? Willie Nelson

R.E.M. New Album Info: Accelerate

My Chelsea Email

I got my very own Chelsea email today. Exciting stuff to say the least.

Here it is:

Dear Robert,

I love talking to people who are thinking about supporting my mom -- about why I believe in her and why I support her as a young American, a woman, and her daughter!

I also love talking to people who already support my mom's campaign. Every day, when people tell me they're voting for my mom, putting their faith in her, using their voice to encourage others to support her and working hard for her, I grow more proud.

I've been campaigning with her across the country -- and I'm definitely planning on being at the next debate in Los Angeles. Would you like to join me? The campaign is picking an online supporter from California to watch the January 31 debate in Los Angeles with me and to meet my mom. I know she'll be thrilled to meet you -- she is so grateful for how much every supporter has done for her campaign.

Blah, Blah, Blah

The new Mazda Miata

Harry London Chocolates

Traditionally, my position on boxes of chocolate has been that they all pretty much taste the same. From Whitman's to Russell Stover, from See's to Godiva, they were all interchangeable. Then last year I was in a Target store picking out a heart shaped box for my valentine (Erin) when I decided on a brand I had never heard of before: Harry London. I figured it was from England and the box was a little prettier than some of the others, no matter, it's all the same. A few days before Valentine's day, my sweet-tooth got the best of me and I ended up opening Erin's chocolates and eating some of them myself. What I discovered was, Harry London is better than the others. I went back to Target and bought another box for Erin. On Valentine's day, she tried them and she thought they were better than average too. I took a closer look at the label and discovered that they were not fine European chocolates, but rather, they were made in Ohio. Near Canton actually.

This year we were eagerly awaiting Valentine's day to get more of these great chocolates, but when we went to Target last weekend to pick some up, we got a scare. There was very minimal Valentine's day candy (save for their own horrid Choxie), and neither one of us could remember the Harry London brand name to search for them elsewhere. We had found the ultimate chocolate, and then lost it!

Fortunately, we had better luck today. Target stores have finally stocked their Valentine's day candy. I instantly recognized the Harry London box on the shelf. We, of course, had to buy a box and eat a few. Yup, still excellent.

And so, if you're wondering what kind of chocolate to get this Valentine's day, Erin and I both recommend that you go to Target and try Harry London. We do not believe you will be disappointed. Also, thanks to this blog post, I will be able to look back and recall the Harry London name should I forget it next February.


The chocolate with the tan circle on top is Harry London's famed Ohio buckeye. It's a peanut butter filled confection. Tasty indeed!


Here is the Harry London story directly from their website:

At the turn of the century, fine confections were associated with the delicate hand-craftsmanship of the Swiss, or the rich, smooth cream and butter used by the Belgians. In Canton, Ohio, unknown to the existing masters of chocolate, Gilbert London was teaching his son Harry the fine art of confections by using recipes and techniques from the family’s strong European traditions.

Harry London learned over time and through the eloquent teachings of his father the true art of making fine confections. He found that in a world where more always seemed to be the norm in creating anything of wonder, the art of chocolate-making broke all traditional rules. He learned that quality was more important than quantity. Chocolate needs to be simple and pure, rich and complex, and filled with blends that are subtle...yet irresistible.

Over the years, Harry London began making these delicious delicacies for his friends as holiday gifts. Friends were finding that resistance to these delights was futile. The gifts were cherished, and soon Harry was receiving requests for his fine hand-made chocolates. In 1922, Harry - a steelworker by trade - soon decided to make chocolate his life’s work and left his job at the mill. Thus, Harry London Candies was born.

Through humble beginnings, where ideas are strong and passion runs through every thought one has, Harry London created a small kitchen in his home. This would be just the beginning of where the finest chocolates in the world would be created. Through the years, his family traditions and recipes are still held to exceptional standards, for only the purest ingredients are used.

My doggie Jake the Snake

I post so seldom that I forget how. There will be demand to see pix of me in my hat and car. This is a practice post. I took the Jake picture today.

Blackberry Gum

New gum flavors are a dime a dozen, but Trident has done something a little different by adding blackberry to the mix. This Citrus with Blackberry gum is a good chew. The blackberry flavor is prominent and mixes well with grapefruit, lime, and orange.

New Products Reviews

I've always enjoyed the regular Blue Moon Ale, a wheat type beer. Now they're putting a new twist on it with Rising Moon Spring Ale. It's a wheat type beer brewed with kieffer lime leaves and lime peel. If you want to know how it tastes, imagine a wheat type beer mixed with a mild lime flavor.

Estaba en el supermercado cuando, de prisa, vi los "Corazones Dulces". Son exactamente como los "Sweet Hearts" normales, excepto en español. Es algo que no he visto. El mundo está cambiando.

Top Played Songs in '07

The count started with the successful install of Vista back in May- which forced a reload of all the music and fresh counts. (as you may recall)

Plays, Band, Song, Album
26 Plays - Erasure - Fly Away from Light at the End of the World
24 Plays - '74-'75 - The Connells - Ring
24 Plays - Makes Me Wonder - Maroon 5 - It Won'te be Soon Before Long
22 Plays - Bearing Witness - Collective Soul - Afterwords
22 Plays - I Don't Feel Like Dancin' - Scissor Sisters - Ta-Dah!
20 Plays - All That I Know - Collective Soul - Afterwords
20 Plays - Spiral - The Connells - Ring
18 Plays - Summertime - Bon Jovi - Lost Highway
18 Plays - Round Here - The Himalayans
18 Plays - Blinded - Third Eye Blind - Out of the Vein

The stangest thing here may be the inclusion of two songs from the now 15 year old album Ring by the Connells. If you don't have it I'd get it. Great southern pop/rock from this North Carolina band.

I'm not going to reset the play count so we'll see if '08 lets anybody new bands into the upper tier of plays. I'm sure it will :)

Jack Be Nimble

Jack completed his first full week of school this week. Assuming he goes to college that means he's only got ~1100 weeks of school left! Here he is before heading off.



He's also becoming a somewhat more accomplished eater of solid food. His favorites are rice cereal and an oatmeal/banana blend.



He enjoys holding the spoon as well - but views it more as a toy than a utensil.

Cloverfield

Well, I went out and saw the very first screening of Cloverfield. I liked it pretty well, but it left me wanting. The monster was cool, but it didn't go into any detail about what it is and where it came from. The kid running with a video camera in hand shooting style can get a little annoying. My recommendation would be to wait until it hits on video and put it on your Netflix que. It would be cool to freeze frame it on the monster. As for Dad, wait until it hits on regular TV and then Tivo it.


THIS IS NOT THE CLOVERFIELD MONSTER.

First Reaction to Cloverfield - They Have Created a Classic

This comes from the web site firstreactions.com :

"J.J. Abrams and Matt Reeves have created a classic that I guarantee years from now will be remembered as the quintessential monster movie from this decade. The style is such a brave new step into a realm that no one has really touched upon or succeeded in, that this is a defining moment in both monster movie history and Hollywood history. Once you finally experience, not watch, Cloverfield, you'll understand how incredible it truly is and you'll never forget finally seeing this soon-to-be classic."

Personally, I'm buying into the hype machine and plan to see Cloverfield on day one (1/18/08). Meanwhile, I'll just try to avoid any spoilers.

A tale of two Jacks

Robert and Steph haven't come forward with many details about how they chose little Jack's first name. One theory is that they named him after their favorite fast food mascot. If that's true, I guess we're lucky his name isn't Ronald!

Mulllins Knows Stuffed Bread

To you and me it's just gas station food. To Mullins, these cheesy stuffed bread products are a Gourmet magazine cover story waiting to happen. How long have those sticks been rolling in the same spot? According to Mullins, the evidence can be found in their toasty hue. Grab a stick to early and the innards are cold. Wait too long and the innards are burned. It's more difficult than picking out good fruit, says Mullins, because you can't handle the sticks before you buy them. So what's the best cheesy stuffed stick flavor? Is it the simple mozzarella stuffed? Is it the ham and cheese stuffed? Is it the pepperoni and sausage stuffed? To Mullins it isn't important. His motto: If they stuff it, I'll eat it.

New Chocolate Skittles

I noticed the new chocolate mix Skittles at a quick shop. The flavors include: brownie batter, chocolate pudding, chocolate caramel, vanilla, and s'mores. They all basically taste like tootsie rolls. They aren't good. The Skittles people need to learn their place, and it is not in the chocolate candy business. Stick to fruit flavors.

Denny's Meal Eaten

Last weekend I visited my friend Mullins in Kansas City. We ended up enjoying breakfast at a downtown K.C. Denny's location with his sister Laura. Grand Slams were enjoyed by all!

Husker Hoops Halftime Show

We went to the KU vs. NU basketball game. The most interesting part of the game was the half time show featuring "The Rubber Boy". It was....troubling....to watch.

Jumperoo Jack Video

Blu-Ray moving towards becoming THE HD format...

With Warner Brothers throwing their support behind Blu-Ray all those who snapped up the $100 HD players at Wal-mart during a pre-Black Friday sale are feeling duped!

Pity - I was in in favor of Toshiba and HD...

BCS Conference 2007 Grades

Bowls Records, Grade, Comment
Big Ten 3-4, Grade B, Michigan's win over Florida was big, rest are blah.
Pac-10 4-2
ACC 2-6, Grade F, a bowl disaster, BC over unranked 7 win Michigan State - impressive.
SEC 6-2, Grade B+, Arkansas embarrassed, Florida pelted, rest is good news
Big East 2-2, Grade C, West Virginia over Oklahoma is big
Big 12 5-3, Grade B+, Kansas, Missouri, Texas all win tough games. Okie loss hurts

Jayhawks Are Orange Bowl Champs!!!

Jumpin' Jack Holiday Video

Starring Jack and his cast of friends.
Directed and Produced by Bill

Happy New Year 2008!

It was a real blow-out celebration in CA. We opened 3 bottles of champagne and deemed all had gone bad. We then had a soda tasting event with several exotic types of pop.



The blueberry soda took first place and Jolt took second.

Dad's Convertible Hat

In the event Dad ends up with some sort of a convertible, he'll have a nice hat to wear in it as Bill stumbled across a 50% clearance hat bin in the outlet malls and snapped up this beaut.