The Voices in my Head.......

Ok -- i really wasn't going to write anything this week.

Why? i didn't know. Think i am just a tad tired. Maybe it is more a smidge let down. Was having lunch with power authoress and agent Deidre Tuesday and she said, "Are you ok?"

ok? Why in the world did i have not to be ok? But as we talked, it hit me. I was having tri-withdrawl. Me -- the very average tri-gal -- was deep, it must be very deep in my subconscious, deep down sad this tri-thing was over for 2006. i guess.

Really no reason to race up to Athens Y for swim, race down dixie on bike or hook up headphones to iPod for run.

Certainly no reason to write anymore about this stuff for have done quite enough of that. But when it came down to it, it was just those last few thoughts i couldn't get out of my head. And for what it is worth -- just had to get up out of bed tonight and put them down.

Wasn't even going to write about it. But here i am writing to myself about it. Why? Because of the voices and the faces in my head.

Where did it all start? i guess this year for me it was in St. Pete at St. Anthony's.

FYI -- for anyone interested. Just saw on the web site that registration opens 9 a.m. Dec. 1. Registration last year for 3,500 entrants closed in 6 hours.

ok -- this was me in bed night before St. Anthony's race. i guess i wasn't wearing red sweater and tights, but i was really fretful. i was staying in sister's house on bay and all i could hear was the wind howling. i mean raging. and that meant really rough water. i was very nervous gal -- then out of blue phone rang, and it was Coach Karen -- asking me how i was doing.

You don't want to tell Coach who has invested time and effort in you that you are a pathetic reject who is terrified -- but what the heck - i was alone and terrified, so that is what i told her.

One voice i remember from this tri-season was yours Karen. Calming me down. Reminding me that there was no way in Hades i was going down with that seal suit on. thanks for that K.

There we were April 29, 2006. and i made it.

Was talking in potty line before Disney race last weekend. It was a very long line. So got to know the New Jersey crowd waiting in front of me.

Turns out after lots of conversing and lots of waiting the young guy in front of me said that he had given up in St. Pete bay that day. He was pulled out. His friend said that they had to fish at least 50 out. To which i remarked, "i'm glad to hear that."

Which sounded terrible, but i just meant, thank God it wasn't all in my head or that i really wasn't very mediocre tri-girl swimmer. It was pretty rough.

So guess all this tri-stuff is done for 2006. Will just have to hop online Dec.1 and hope to get in to tackle St. Pete on April 29, 2007 -- 7 months from today.

But just got up to give a few last thanks to the voices i couldn't get out of my head last Sunday during race. So here they are short and sweet.

The swim and

voice #1 Jeff Davis. Here you are coming in from what surely was great bike at Sandestin. i remembered your voice and sage advice after your great swim there at beach this August.

"Don't stop so much to look for the frickin' buoys." (ok -- you probably didn't say frickin')

You really didn't say anything the sort. I just always somewhat curse when referring to those frickin' huge orange floating things.

"Don't look to the buoys. Trust yourself. Follow the swim caps. Keep your head down and just keep swimming." expert swimmer and former Olympian Jeff Davis.

Great advice. Kept that in my head out there in water. Now i need your help on swinging too wide to get around folks -- but guess there is always room for improvement. Think it really helped me. And i did try to trust myself more and just swim -- darn it.

the bike, Voice #2
Jevon Kearse
ok -- it probably wasn't actually Jevon Kearse because think he is having major knee problems right now, but it certainly looked a heck of a lot like him -- if he was on bike in middle of triathlon at Disney.

i was cruising somewhat along about mile 17 of bike portion when along side me i heard,

" if you'd ever straighten those legs out girl -- you'd fly."

i looked to my left and there was all beautifully sculpted 10 feet of Jevon sailing by with smile on his bike.

"Thanks, Jevon" "You are soooo right." was my reply. And the sad thing was i knew exactly what he was talking about. i have developed this dreadful habit of frogging my legs way out when i pedal. Not really up and down piston-like as would be good bike form. Well, i straightened those legs out and was so inspired that i caught up to Mr. African American beautiful statue and passed him.

Now forever on bike in races i will remember voice#2. "Straighten those legs out girl -- and you'll fly." and i'll remember Jevon's smile. He had a great smile.

Voice # 3 Smarty Jones

ok -- this is race horse Smarty Jones. i think he won the Kentucky Derby a few years back. Unfortunately for my neighbor, Rob Jones, this is the name by which my husband always refers to him.

Therefore i do not think of him as Rob -- i think of him as Smarty. But he (Rob) is not a horse -- though he is really very fast. He really is. I know it is amazing -- but he can move.

(i mean Rob can move,
well -- i guess the horse can move pretty fast too).

Recently, Smarty and his lovely bride Trish came by while i was on porch. During course of neighbor chat, Rob mentioned that he had seen me running and observed that i basically was running like a moron.

Ok -- Now he is the GA Tech engineer type -- and he was getting into lots of bio mechanics in his dissection of my running form, but the bottom line is i was running stupid.

And that my hapless form was making this already slow runner quite the snail.

Well, i took his advice to heart and kept trying to follow the Smarty Scuffle all through my last 6 miles on Sunday.

In St. Pete and Chattanooga i did my 10k in 1:05:30. i did my race Sunday in 58:44.

Almost 7 minutes in triathlon time is huge.

i can't tell you how unbelievable that is. Thanks Smarty. i guess that is why i went to SMU for a film degree and you learned to build Saturn V rockets at Tech.

Have to say favorite moment of race was leaving transition from bike to run and just as i was about to step out of fence a ref motioned to me, "Your helmet is still on."

i would have looked like most excellent and veteran tri-gal cruising along to a PR on my 10k time wearing my bike helmet.

And it was so incredibly hot. i would have totally ejected my nice red helmet somewhere along the shadeless sun-blaring way to Epcot. Thirty some-odd dollars gone. But what if no one had told me it was still on? oh dear. Major tri-style faux paus. Unforgivable really.

ok -- so it was so hot. so very hot finishing it up. And at the end, i had nothing.

Usually there is something, but on Sunday i had nothing. Gal with a 41 on left calf passed me with less than 1/4 mile to go. i thought,"She'll finish ahead of me on list." But i had nothing to answer -- and she did indeed finish 10 sec and a spot a head of me.

So there i was -- about ready to throw-up and cry because cute gal age 41 in red just passed me and i knew she was going to stay there and be a spot ahead on race results when i heard..

Voice #4 -- Coach Karen

"Yeah, Jamie -- you look great."

i looked up and saw sweet Karen there in brown shirt and khaki shorts. Remember thinking i must try to muster some sort of smile for i couldn't let you see how woeful i was really feeling.

i slogged the few more yards to finish doing Smarty's Shuffle -- then found my way back to you.

Your Rick was long gone. For he was in 1st wave. He had gone back to room with girls to shower and check out, and you waited for me.

Now to be honest, i really think i am quite self-sufficient gal. And i was enjoying doing this thing by myself -- but looking back on it -- you staying behind and being lone voice for me at finish will be something i will never forget.

i was done for -- practically crying -- and you were there. You whipped out your cell and we called john and everything was better.

ok -- i know this certainly is not the best, most clever, entertaining thing i have ever penned. But it really is probably one of the truest and bluest.

And from now on, during these silly things i will always carry your voices with me in my head and your voices in my heart.

much love and thanks -- Jeff, Jevon, Smarty and Karen

from me -- very aspiring tri-gal who sometimes has to be reminded to remove bike helmet before run. (guess that most helpful guy should be all important voice #5.)

3 Coaches and One Very Big-Boned Gal. Make My GameDay 9.23.06

Yea!

i was very, very happy girl last Saturday night.

i was literally doing back flips, or sideways flips or something like that.

Yes. John was also a very, very happy man because of all my flippin' happiness.

i had done kind of good with my picks. Winning 4 and losing 2 (ND outright and Gators on points).

Percentage on year. A very spectacular .500.

But guess others in College Football Nation weren't as happy.

See, his head is perfect example of the time-honored adage..."if you can't say something nice...."

So sorry for him, but if he wasn't so hate-filled --

well, guess he wouldn't have looked so darn stupid.

Yes, lots of fans weren't happy after last week.......


OUuch!

Guess the poor Sooner Schooners were down in mouth after all the miscue calls.

But really, really isn't that a part of the game.

bad calls.

Well, they were really, really bad calls.

But University of OK please get a hold of yourself -- as in take control. Am getting embarrassed for you. The university president asking that the game be permanently stricken from the books.


Coach #1 Boob Stops.

Please stop it Boob. It is really getting old. So sorry you lost, but there is always another day.

Everything will be alright, Bob. Still love you, but please, please don't be such a fuddy-duddy. Things will start looking up soon. You have Middle Tennessee State at home this week -- see i told you, things aren't that bad.

Coach #2 Larry Coker, ok for you -- things are really that bad.

What a short, short memory the Hurricane Nation seems to have.

Now i guess the official word out of Miami is that Coker will be around till end of season, but seems like all those media types are already speculating on poor Larry's successor.

Now really isn't out of the realm of possibility that Larry and Co. win rest of games and ACC. Guess it is possible. But seems lots of people don't think that's going to happen.

Who's going to replace Larry? Talk has been about Butch Davis returning. Now that Rutgers is undefeated Schiano is hot name. Yes, they pounded UNC, the Illini (poor zooker) and Ohio. Seems like the Scarlet Knightdom is worried their guy is heading to South Beach. Leave Camden, NJ for Miami? i've been both places. Think it is kind of toss up. But guess he would have chance at better players recruiting in the Sunshine State. Maybe?

Then, U of M might look to NFL -- i.e. a Pete or a Weis? Then lots of talk surrounding Tuberville.

There might be someone else? Oh Yeah, some in the Bulldog crowd are all worried. Think maybe Mark Richt might be tempted to head back to Miami...

Mark Richt? Leave Sanford Stadium. Never.

Well, almost never. But wherever the guy ends up UGA, Miami or FSU -- i am not too worried. At least i don't think i have reason to be. He seems like kind of nice mellow fellow -- nice, i guess, unless you are 2000 pound female named Ralphie. Think it seems like he kind of has it out for her. And unfortunately our suave Coach Mark thinks our big-boned beast of a gal is a "he." And that really isn't very nice to hear, even for the most secure femgal bovine.

Coach #3 Mark Richt v. Ralphie

There she is. All adorable, thundering 2000 pounds of her.

Guess the Bulldogs are playing Colorado and CU is bringing their mascot. As i pen this, Ralphie is in her trailer -- probably overnighting at the Best Western in Lebanon, Missouri -- wondering what the hell is going on? Hope Buffalos don't get car sick.

Oh dear. Hope someone is going to be hanging tight on wee UGA XXXiiXXV's bright red leash. Poor snub-nosed guy could get trampled. What a way to go.

Think most excellent Mark is worried about the Sanford greenery. Seems like Ralphie doesn't travel much -- like as in never. M. Richt seemed a little concerned in press conference, "I don't know the deal," Richt stated. "Is he going to get to run all over the field and stuff? That doesn't seem right!"

No indeed! "Why did we do that? ...surely they aren't going to let him stomp all over the field." Surely, surely not Coach Mark. Hope no one tells him that they eat 3 percent their body weight every day. Look out Hedges.

Someone please stop the insanity.


"Ralphie IV"

Though reports out of Athens indicate Richt is slightly agitated about the visiting she bison, seems like the erudite and composed Georgia Secondary has the matter all under control.

"We ain't playing against a buffalo,"cornerback Paul Oliver said."We're playing against a team."

Whew. Seems like someone has smidge common sense in the Classic City. i was getting little worried.

Enough of Coaches. Enough of Ralphie. And could call it a week here. The line-up is pretty anti-climatic after last week. But it is College Football and i love College Football -- so here are my picks for 9.23.06.

2 Nationals, ACC, SEC, Reptiles and Ponies -- Short and Sweet this week.

#12 Notre Dame v. Michigan State, 8 pm. ABC

Notre Dame, oh Notre Dame. You have become my Moby Dick. My Nemesis. But i think i have you this week.

This game will be battle between 2 future NFL ball-tossers. Spartan Drew Stanton -- scrambler, passer -- think Steve Youngish. GoldenBoy #10, Brady Quinn. Gunner like Montana.

Who will win? This is in East Lansing. Irish have had trouble with Spartans in recent years. Michigan State is really, really playing great. Question once again for me seems to be can the MSU defense get to........

#10 Greg Brady, No Tom Brady, no silly -- Brady Dr. Quinn medigal.

He really could use this game to get back into Heisman game. Will he? Lots of experts think so.

Me?

Call me crazy. But i think i've got those little wee green fellows this week.

Will take Michigan State and the 3.

Count on it. The Domers are going down again.

#24 Penn State v. #1 Ohio State, 3:30 p.m. ABC

Troy Smith. Another great, great QB who is playing great. These quarterbacks. Seems like they have lots to do with how team does. Go figure.

Well, i seem to be drawn once again into the orbit of Joe Paterno. Maybe i am just closet Big Ten gal. Don't know why -- but chose this game over the ASU v. Cal match-up. That just didn't get my pulse racing.

And besides -- i have always, always hated the Sun Devils helmets. "Sparky." He just is kind of creepy. Guess he is not really bad devil per say -- he's just drawn that way. Still, he bothers me. i might even have bad dreams tonight. So no ASU this week. Ok. Where was i?

OSU or the Nitneys?

Once again the Lions have to travel away from Happy Valley.

Yes, Joe Pa and Company have to travel to the big Horseshoe in Columbus, Ohio.

There they are the Buckeye faithful. So many O's. Tons and Tons of O's.

Multiples, really.

Who to chose? Joe Pa or the Ohio Statesmen.

i might be the only one, but thought Penn State played pretty good, at least for a while against ND. They just made way too many mistakes. Call me crazy once again -- but think the young lions are improving. and will come within the billion and a half they are given.

i take Penn State and the 17. on to......

#20 Boston College v. North Carolina State, 8:00 p.m. ESPN

Sorry Guys.

Really wasn't much else to choose from. Clemson was playing UNC, but felt had such magical moment personally with Tigers last week in victory over FSU just wanted to savor that one more week.

Talk about a coach that is having a rough year.

Chuck Amato.

Good choice on the sunglasses though.

Hope things go well in Raleigh this weekend for you Chuck, but have to stick with my Golden Flyboys -- BC.

Now the Eagles QB Matt Ryan has a bum ankle and BC defense isn't that rock solid -- but think they will be able to pull it out. Just think Wolfpack is playing that bad.

My pick: Boston College will cover the 7 points.

Yes, think those Eagles are on a roll. Or at least on a somewhat thick English Muffin.

Alabama v. Arkansas 3:30 p.m. CBS

Arkansas has a very neat little stadium. They also seem to come up and play fairly good in big games. They don't always win, but they play tough.

Houston Nutt is a nut. But sometimes he can really coach a good game.

Nutt or Shula?

Hogs can run, and Bama hasn't done great job stopping the run. Bama can run, and Hogs haven't great job stopping the run.

This is a poser. ARK QB Mustain is frosh and gets lots of buzz -- but is still young.

Think Bama Qback John Parker Wilson will surprise a few people.

Roll Tide somewhat. They will win and cover the 1 point. on to

Gainesville...

Kentucky v. #7 Florida, 7:45 p.m. ESPN

Ahh..

Young Love.

Another night game. bummer.

and i really, really don't like playing Kentucky. They scare me. (ok, what is scary is that sounded spookily like some sandbag thing Larry Munson would say.)

But they (Wildcats) always seem to find these QB's who can throw the ball a country mile and occasionally bomb it into end zone.

Florida hasn't found much of a running game yet. Where oh where have you gone.

27 points. oh dear. i love the number 27 and i love my gators -- but don't think they will cover 2 and 7. But i am and always will be madly in love and madly loyal to the boys from the SWAMP.

i'll always take my Gators and the 27 points. now that's love.


Arkansas State v. SMU 8 p.m.

My ponies won last week!

Go Peruna -- you wild woman.

and that Ralphie thinks she is something.

Don't know if wee stadium in big D will be full for game against the Indians, but hope it will.

Mustangs will win and score + 3 for those who care about such type of things.

Another week done. Weird week. We'll see.

"Excuse me.."

"Where's the best place to get a chicken sandwich around here?"

and hope all your teams win, especially if i picked them.

and please be sweet to Ralphie for me.

"I am Schneewittchen" the -- Milledstones 9.17.06

Think i was about 3 years old.

It was my first visit with Dr. Hitchcock my new pediatrician.

He walked in very doctorly-like i am sure and said, "Well, who do we have here -- Miss Tracy Collins?"

To which i very defiantly replied with furrowed brow, "No, i'm Snow White."

Well, i always had an active imagination.

And for the next 20 years of my life, whenever i crossed paths with Dr. Hitchcock the snow white incident came up.

Guess back then the story was not a fairy tale to me. It was real.

i mean there was the fair maiden -- "me."

i had tons and tons of friends among the flora and fauna of nature or at least in my Central Florida backyard.

i had a mean whistle and was really handy with a broom.

and at night i was very, very sure that an evil witch was lurking outside my bedroom window with beautiful red apple dripping with poison clenched in her very gnarled non-manicured hand.

But even that was ok -- because was sure that i would be totally and most romantically saved by Love's first kiss -- or something like that.

Yes, a totally perfect looking male (kind of Ken Barbie dollish -- in every way) cloaked in regal cape and princely tights would spy me all 3 feet of me lying prone in some sleep/burial bunk bed chamber-type of thing.

Leaning down, in really slow motion, the fairly eunuch Ken would kiss me very G-rated like -- for i was preschooler -- and breathe life back into me again. To much rejoicing of my very extended and politically correct 7 dwarf family.

Tracy Collins? Who was she? Wasn't it plain as the wee nose on my face that i was Snow White and the Grimm Bros. were not authors of a Storied Adventure, but highly trained, schooled historians. It was obvious to me.

Milestone Class 9.17.06 --
Kathyrn Cardwell, teaching.

(ok -- loved that blouse you were wearing. i really, really want one. But of course -- obtaining one is just fairy tale -- for if i did, you know that some weird force in the universe would have us wear them without fail to same social event every single time. Then we would uncomfortably laugh and smile. But i know that deep down you would hate me for always showing up to same function wearing same blouse. It would be end of beautiful friendship. So just forgot i ever, ever commented about wanting your blouse.)

Where was i? Oh yeah...

Your blouse.

No, let's see -- the bible. Yes, the lovely Kat was talking about the bible and it's veracity.

Seems it (the bible) has been around a long time. Think it also contains mention of the bite of a luscious fruit resulting in death.

Evil lurking (always, always) around. Never really wanting to give up trying to destroy all that is young and beautiful inside the soul.

Then a young saviour dies.

And is brought back to life again.

Wait -- not just brought back to life again -- think this bible says that He lives forever.

And that all who believe in Him live forever too. Like in this really, really unimaginable perfect place.

Hmm.

Back to really, really abnormally large classroom...

So glad to see that you could join us again Steve Speyers. Looks like they have been really putting you to work back there in Butler.

But think you should leave the pick axes out in the country. Don't think that you couldn't have had much luck with the doves with that as weapon anyway.

Tough Questions for Christians -- How reliable is the Bible?

"What is the Bible?" Kathryn asked assorted stones seated round.

"God's written word," Margaret said. "The Truth," Karen offered. "Research book, " said H. query who is H? Know you were sitting on that side of class..... It will come to me.

Oh -- "Heather" (of course - just kept think Hannah and knew that wasn't right.)

Kathryn asked all to think if you were God, what would You use for guide/blueprint for us mere mortals?

Think He must have decided on the bible. And then there was Jesus -- i guess. "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy, but to fulfill." Matthew 5:17.

The bible took about 1000 years to write, there were 40 some odd authors and was written on 3 different continents. Asia, Africa and Australia. No think the last must have been Europe -- for wasn't Paul in Rome writing lots of his letters?

Old Testament was done by about 500 B.C. -- preserved in Hebrew on scrolls.

By the end of the First Century A.D., the New Testament was finished written in Greek on Papyrus -- a thin-paper like material made from crushed reed stalks. The word "bible" comes from the same Greek root word as papyrus.

The New Testament was written by Apostles/eye witnesses to the events or someone who was close associate of such type of person.

Kathryn asked all if this document is trustworthy considering all the transcribing and translating that has been going on with it during all these years.

Ruth and Cindy spoke of how we all are able to get out our little Strong's and research back to the Greek on these words. Or even a tried and true King James -- if we really are not sure of some translation we are reading.

In 16o4 , King James the 1 -- authorized a translation of bible. 47 scholars took six years to create what we now know as the King James Version. The KJV has been revised four times.

Now Aubie, my neighboring seatmate, think you were much closer than me to guessing date that Gutenberg, a goldsmith by trade -- Heather, printed his first document off his press.

That being the bible -- first published on September 30, 1452. Happy belated birthday to you -- Karen (9.15.) -- oh keeper of the Milestone birthday files. Looks like we must add the Guttentachen bible to our list of September birthdays.

Then Kat finished up a very, very fine lesson with an amazing visual aid -- they add so much to class. It gave the timeline of many accepted historical documents and authors and our bible had way, way, way more -- well, lots of more proof. Written much closer in time. That kind of stuff.

She recommended Lee Strobel's Case for Christ as excellent resource for those wanting to research such stuff further. The adult person that i have been known to occasionally cohabitate with concurred that it is very authoritative and well done book on this subject.

Great Job Kat!

Next week: Do all religions lead to God?

Great Books and Even Greater Fairy Tales

Have always been one to want to believe in Fairy Tales. I mean when i read a book i want it to have a happy ending.

Was recently with group of friends and we all we talking about our favorite movies and books. I felt like total deep thinker reject.

Everyone kept coming up with these esoteric intellectual treatises -- well, not everyone -- remember someone agreed with me on DUMB and DUMBER. But that person shall remain anonymous for his own intellect's appearance protection.

Snow White, Dumb and Dumber and the Bible.

Don't know where this is going to go? Sometimes even i like being surprised. hmm.

Guess people write things: songs, movies, books, blogs because they have something to say.

Whether it is written for escape, joy, humor, historical accounts, news, depravity, evil, stupidity, or a grade. There usually is a reason for thoughts out of thin air to be place on paper for good or for bad.

Why has the human race been writing/communicating since time began and why oh why of all the trillion things that have been written by brilliant people and very average people -- has the bible survived so amazingly in tact?

Why does it change lives? So many millions upon millions of lives through the centuries. Why was it something that i loved to hear my grandmother read to me at three -- and now after 40 more years of reading it is richer, bolder, more amazing, more metaphysical -- yet still as comforting as sitting on my grandmother's lap?

Why doesn't reading Snow White affect me the same way? Sure, occasionally i like to tie a red bow in my hair and make john put on a purple cape/bathrobe, but it just isn't the same as when i was three clonking around in my mother's shoes.

The bible is alive. There is no other explanation. It reaches in, touches places, and transports the reader like nothing else ever written. It is a love letter in best since. One you keep out and want to read over and over and over. Because it is true. and the best part is that..........

We all live happily ever after.

Milestone Announcements and Prayer Requests.

Please keep Scott Mason your prayers. He is recuperating at home from knee surgery. Bonnie, his mother, said this has been very difficult on all and that Scott wants to get back to school as soon as possible with his friends.

Michele Hoopengardner's sister is going to have a C-section on Tuesday for the birth of their first child. Please pray for mother and baby.

Send those birthdays into kargri@aol.com.

It was motioned, seconded and voice vote approved -- we Milestones are now official Church Green Hangers. Margaret, think we could get the worship committee to go with temporary ice rink down in front of altar rail. Just a thought.

Buy your pansies from the Preschool. They are taking orders. And does anything brighten up the gloom of winter like those little happy pansy faces. ok -- don't answer that.



Good Week,

God Bless and

Good Grief according to the map we've only gone 4 inches!

"Do i Feel Lucky?" College Football 9.16.06

Good Grief!

Last week i was something like 0 for 44!

On Saturday night i was getting a wee down -- as in a tad depressed.

i mean Penn State had gotten killed, TX was going nowhere and it was becoming evident that there was no Spurrier hex on Dawgs.

i was amazing failure in my debut as Pigskin Parimutuel.. i mean...Pigskin Paranormal-kind of person.

John was like, "Jamie what did you expect.. you picked all the underdogs."

No, i didn't pick all the underdogs. Well, in hindsight guess maybe i did, but there was a reason i picked all my teams last week.

I just like them. i really, really like them. And call me "girlish" but i want those whom i like to win. But i guess this high-likability quotient as stratagem didn't result in boon of winning picks. No, i didn't fare so well. bummer.

But give up? Never! Why not admit there are somethings i should just leave to the professionals? i am not really sure, but do think i will try new strategy this week. Just completely ignore every screaming estrogen cell in my body and think with only left side of brain. This should be quite easy and fun.

Analytical, no-nonsense, logical -- why hadn't this occurred to me before? Just were is my Enrst & Young softball cap? Those accountants are terribly logical thinkers aren't they. Well, i can't seem to find such beanie, so will have to trade in Cobber headgear for what?

My all black, "Sustained Pain" cap. Yes, very no-nonsense very "Dirty Harry."

Yes, i can be tough-nosed prognosticator, not one to get bogged down in silly nonsensical things like wanting quarterback's who swim across pond in middle of night to save neighbor's life -- to well, win.

Yes, "Dirty Jamie" that's me.

Though not one at all for guns or violence.

And really what is at all violent about Football? Aren't games all quiet quaint Tea Partys? Yes, am so going to like all this Toughness. For that is what this week is going to be TOUGH. Separation Saturday. That even sounds painful.

There are many, many most excellent games on tap. Yes, great Saturday to watch College football, if only weren't for this added pressure of monitoring my choices of who is actually going to win these games. oh dear.

Pressure. What Pressure? i live for Pressure Packed Picks. i think.

So as i give tug on my very testosterone "Sustained Pain" cap, let's see whose on tap for this week.

Make My GameDay -- In Deed! Jamie's Pigskin Pick'ems September 16, 2006
(now that looks tough)

same as last week: 2 big nationals, 1 acc, 1 sec, gators and ponies.

#19 Nebraska v. # 4 USC, 8 p.m. ABC


Oh Big Red -- where have you been? Remember so well watching Huskers trounce Gators in 1995 on route to winning second straight National Championship. Then all went silent in Lincoln.

Oh sure, there were the occasional police sirens on way to arrest high profile Huskers -- but other than that it has been pretty quiet in Red Country. Especially on the football field. i mean where have all those gigantic cornfed linemen been running off to?

Nebraska could be back. Can't believe they haven't been before now. Think the Husker faithful must be about to explode into fields of popcorn by now.

Think Nebraska does have some type of defense -- they led the nation in sacks last year with all returning. And they did play well as a team in opening games against nobodies. oh dear.. Think they get something like 17 points -- that seems like an awful lot.

Let's see who are they playing?

Oh yeah, they are travelling to Southern California. The University of Southern California. Think they (USC) have been playing good football of late, but they are young and inexperienced. Then they have had lots of injuries to some good Trojans. What's the logical choice? USC is playing at home, but John David Booty is in only 2nd game as starter. He looked good against Arksanas, got stronger as the game went on but who's to know if he is real deal?

Wonder if Tommy Lee will drop in for a set with his friends in Marching Cornhusker Drum Corps? You know Nebraska might could do it, they surely will cover the points. No, this will be Nebraska coming out party.. yes, totally would be their huge debut back into National title hunt, except for ...

Pete Carroll.

ok -- new tough girl like me can't use the l-word. But if i could i would really, really use it.

For i really, really love Pete Carroll.

Ok -- he is great recruiter, motivator and coach.

He's so cool. Remember on field interviews before one National Championship game. Bob Stoops looked as uptight and nervous as cat in room full of rocking chairs. Pete looked like he was asking the interviewer if she wanted him to pick up a coke for her as he was just about to stroll out of stadium down street to McDonalds for a quick pregame snack.

He's just so positive, energetic and well, adorable.

ok -- that was very slight estrogen moment, but Booty and company will handle Huskers. Sorry Tommy Lee. 17 points? That's tough, but i live for glamour on the gridiron. And USC is glamour on the grid -- at least for the moment.

Give me USC and the points.

#11 Michigan v. #2 Notre Dame, 3:30 p.m., NBC

Go Blue. Hail to the Victors! Great Fight Song. Ann Arbor. Bo Schembechler. They've got it all. Or at least they used to have it all.

and guess Lloyd Carr is the coach now. He really, really needs to win this game. Think the Maize and Blue faithful most certainly are getting awful restless.

Now Michigan RB Mike Hart seems to be for real. If he gets a chance to run -- and QB Henne then can throw -- Michigan could win. Defensively for Michigan to have a chance -- they have to get to Quinn.

Georgia Tech pressured little leprechaun #10 and Brady was most definitely off his best game.

Can the Blue win or at least cover 6 points?

This is really poser. Why?

Because i in "Dirty Jamie" mode have intuitively realized that the Gold Domers are definitely in the lead for team to "Most Likely to Screw With Me" all year long.

I just don't buy it. Can't buy that they are for real. i just hate it when this happens.

Here i am trying to be analytical and logical -- everything from left side of brain is thundering... "Notre Dame will win -- you idiot."

Yet, i hesitate. Hmm?

Notre Dame will lose sometime this year. i feel it. Only problem is after this -- about all on schedule are 2 of the academies. Go Air Force. Guess they do ultimately have to meet up with Pete and GlamCorp on November 25 in Southern Cal.

But am holding every other girly intuitive thought captive. Reason. Carr won't be able to handle Sudden Impact of game.

Sorry for him, but Irish will win and cover the 6.

From South Bend travel to.........

Tallahassee

ok -- guess i could have picked Miami v. Louisville. In fact, i had. But changed mind. The Bowden Bowl -- although not as hot a commodity as has been in past -- still is fun.

And besides, i love all those Mad Clemson People.

David, my Dentist, my former neighbors, Jake's former school teacher. i want you to win -- or your team that is.

But guess if truly candid, Clemson would be close 2nd for team "Most Likely To Screw With Me" this year. But all that sounds terribly sensitive, hormonal and femgal.

There she is Miss Clemson. Actually, i think it was some type of Miss America chick. But bet she would have liked to have been Miss Clemson. Really is there not a little girl in South Carolina who wouldn't want to be?

ok -- don't answer that. It's getting later and i need to be the Enforcer.

No more XX thoughts. Only XY.

Clint really was cute back then. Where was i? oh yeah.

Clemson v. #9 Florida State, 7:45 p.m. ESPN


Father and Son.

Bobby and Tommy.

Winner and Loser.

Poser: which one?

Ok -- all experts, which i am certainly not one of, say this is a must win for Tigers. Sorry David. Though you probably don't mind pressure. Hey -- i forgot -- Dirty Jamie doesn't mind pressure either.

In fact, she thrives on it. And in fact, i think this is key to game.

Pressure. Can FSU put pressure on Clemson offense? Will Clemson QB Will Proctor be able to move team against Mickey Andrews and his FSU defensives?

FSU has to find way to get RBs moving North and South in this game. They must find ability to get the ball up field on the ground. If they can do this the game is theirs.

But Noles looked very lack-luster in game last week against Troy. This game is at Doak Campbell. FSU is 52 - 9 on ESPN.

Will it be 53 - 9 or 52 -10 after Saturday? "To tell you the truth in all this excitement, i've kind of lost track myself."

Guess question to ask self is...do i feel lucky?

Don't know about lucky, but here is the dirty bottom line. Clemson will need to play better than they have been, but in minor estro-moment flare-up or coin-flip, my judgement thinks Tigers will rise to occasion.

FSU will be 52 - 10 on ESPN after Saturday. i take Clemson and won't even need the 5. i think.

"Here Kitty, Kitty..."

# 6 LSU v. #3 Auburn, 3:30 p.m. CBS

ok -- this is a big game.

Both teams are playing great. This is really going to be hard. i mean Auburn is playing on The Plains of something. i guess central Alabama somewhere.

Auburn has the home 3.5 and that is it. What's a nitty, gritty girl to decide?

LSU has the nation's no. 7 scoring offense. Auburn has the nation's no. 7 scoring defense.

Time tested football mantra: Defense wins championships.

But LSU coach has great last name. And was former coach at Oklahoma State, for which i have many, many personal reasons to have major warm feelings inside.

Both teams could eventually be in hunt for National Title.

Tigers (LSU) have yet to go Florida and Tenneesse.

Tigers (Auburn) have Florida and Georgia at home.

Ok -- this is troubling. Not really so much for LSU v. Auburn. But cracker jack reporter that i am, noticed Gators on slate for both teams. i hate when that happens.

Guess have to make decision. This should be great game. If Auburn RB Kenny Irons can have breakout performance -- game is Auburn. Since it is getting late. Will just have to Call It: Auburn will cover 3.5.

Now for some real Orange and Blue.

#7 Florida v. # 13 Tennessee, 8 p.m. CBS

oh great. a night game.

upside. Don't have to spend majority of good part of afternoon inside on couch with stomach in knot.

downside. If you lose, really not time to fully accept devastation in consciousness before going to sleep. Which results in that horrible "morning after" moment. You awake happy for new day, then reality of fact -- yes, Gators lost to TN -- the world as i know it has ceased -- comes crashing in.

On those mornings, it's best to give kids poptarts, crawl back in bed, pull covers over head and play hooky from church. For there -- in a religious setting --- all types of evil Bulldogs lie in wait for perfect moment to pounce on hapless me. Never really understand why they feel entitled to give grief for other team's victories over my reptiles.

Sign seen approaching Watkinsville yesterday, "Go Bull Dawgs...Boiled Peanuts." i guess that explains a lot.

Tennessee. at Rocky Top. Full Philmer. Who is going to win?

This is very big game for Vols and Gators. Vols have talent. Just where do they keep getting these compact amazing RBs? i'm getting really, really tired of it. QB Ainge. He didn't look all that sharp last week, but consensus is that he is the real deal.

And He has been very, very happy and protected. Getting days and days to throw. To have success, Gators have got to get to #10. Florida hasn't been burning it up in the sack department.

Chris Leak and Urban have seemed to come to a place where they can work together. i for one, hope this trend continues on Saturday.

Question is will the real Tennessee stand up. The team that looked awesome against Cal or the team that had trouble with Air Force.

For one i hope the later shows up in Neyland Stadium Saturday night.

Gators all the Way. Will cover 3.5.

My Ponies!

losing last week 24 -6 to North Texas. Now Mustang starting RB did go down in 1st quarter, but how oh how have things gone so terribly wrong.

Sam Houston State v. SMU 7 p.m. CBS

oh dear. it is very late (or early) and carpool duty is much, much sooner than later -- so can't take time to check spread.

But who am i kidding? What is the point?

Think Mustangs can handle the BearKats. i think.

i hope.

Here's to another Great Saturday of Football@!

i feel like i really got in touch with my left brain tonight.

It kind of hurts -- i think i touched it a little too much.

Signing off for another week. Hope all your teams win.

Especially if i picked them.

You just got to ask yourself one question? Do you feel lucky? Do ya, Punk?

Later Gators