One year ago

This time last year I was with my entire family at the hospital as doctors had told us to come in and say our goodbyes to my grandma, one year later she's still alive and kicking. I figured since it's been a year i'd share this story with you. Most of you know I try to keep the blog lighthearted and don't go too much into my personal life but this is a story i'd like to share and I even touched on it a bit this time last year but not in great detail. I am going to have to back track a bit and it might be long winded but stay with me.

I am not even sure where to begin but I think describing my relationship with my grandma is a good place to start. My grandma and I have always been super close, and I really feel like a reason for that would be because she helped raise me for about 3 months one year. Going back to 1989-90 when I had my kidney transplant I wasn't allowed back in school right away by my doctors due to germs and what not, and my grandma immediately suggested she watch me so my mom and dad(both teachers) could go back to work. So starting in January for 5 days a week my mom would drop me off at my grandma's at 7 am and my dad would pick me up at 3:30 translation we spent a LOT of time together. She would make me breakfast, we would watch all her favorite tv shows, price is right, soap opera's(yes, I got hooked for a time on the young and the restless, and as the world turns thanks to my grandma) we'd always go through McDonalds drive thru for lunch, and the only time spent apart would be when my tutor would come to keep me updated my school work. I loved every minute of it, but mostly the laughter and I feel I like ever since then I have had a special bond with my Grandma.

Fast forward to recent times, and her health has been deteriorating she has either dementia or alzheimer's she won't let us take her to the doctor to be diagnosed. However, she was still living on her own in a HUGE house and was pretty stubborn anytime someone brought up her moving. However, she started to take some falls, which led to her having both knees replaced, one fall she went out to get her mail and fell in her driveway and broke her hip, but the worst came when she fell around Feb of 2010 in her kitchen and broke her femur, but what was even worse was she had been down on the ground for almost 5 hours before anyone found her. She is so tough though she went through all of those set backs basically just taking asprin. So, anyway over that spring break when my relativers were in town from Georgia we decided to figure out what to do, as many suggestions were thrown out there from moving in with my mom, to moving to Georgia, to hiring 24 hour live in nurse but we ultimately decided on assisted living. We moved her in ironically enough on my birthday June 5th of 2010 and she went fighting and screaming! She settled in though after awhile, but even there her stubborness won out she wouldn't wear her life alert button.

Flash forward to this time last year, and it was around 3:30ish when I got a call from mom who I could tell had been crying and I immediately knew. My grandma had fallen during the night at her assisted living place, she wasn't found til the staff got worried when she didn't go down for lunch. She was in the hospital severly dehydrated, broken shoulder, and the doctors were certain she wouldn't make it through the night. So, all of us headed over to see her to say our goodbyes, our relatives flew in from Georgia and well she got better and even kind of returned to her normal self. Unfortunately, she couldn't just stay in the hospital she had to be moved and after touring facilities my mom, her brother and sister chose one where she would do light rehab. It gets a little crazy here, she didn't do well with the move and i'll never forget I was at a wedding that day and got the call again she was probably going to die if I wanted to say goodbye I needed to get to the rehab place. So, we skipped the wedding reception and headed over and sure enough everyone was there praying, crying, some singing, my grandma was even saying it was time to go, time to go. Well, the next day she had other plans as she made it again and was well enough they moved her to a private room in the rehab win. We had survived another scare, and though we knew the end would be coming sometime just maybe not as soon.

Last November after the stress of this situation started ease another phone call, it almost got to the point that anytime in the evening I got a call from my mom I got scared to answer. This time at the rehab place she had fallen down and was in really bad shape and rushed to the hospital. This time only my mom, her brother, and myself went and the doctor warned us this could be it again, and this time I thought for sure it was because she had to go through surgery. She broke her shoulder in that fall, and what could make this a longer story becareful where you put your loved ones when they are older. We found out that this rehab place was really understaff and a doctor had ordered my grandma under 24-7 watch when she was in the common room not only was nobody watching her when she fell, but without knowing her injuries got her up and put her back in the wheel chair before the ambulance arrived. My aunt who is a paralegal tried to sue but they said not enough evidence.

To make this very, I mean very long story short we didn't think she'd survive a third time but by Christmas she was perking up again, but her memory loss had gotten worse. She made it again, and she is now currently in a memory loss care that was on the other side of her assisted living facility so in a crazy way she's right back where this all started. She is doing well, she has her good days and bad days, and most times when I go to visit which is usually once a week she remembers who I am. She has fit in nicely at the memory care unit she flirts with the men, and likes to dance, and going in there can be quite entertaining with these people, but also sad. It's been a tough year, and a stressful one on our family but it definitely has brought us all closer. My mom continues to say my grandma just might outlive her, and at this point it's hard to argue.

Thanks for listening :)
Happy Halloween!
Phats

Bring on scUM

So, I am still pretty stoked from the big homecoming win over Illinois, but my beloved Boilers venture out on a 2 game road streak and first up a visit to the Big House to take on Nationally ranked Michigan and Denard Robinson. Last time we went to Ann Arbor we came home with a win for the first time in 30 some years. I am sticking to my stance that there is only 1 game left on our schedule that is going to be bad, and that is the Wisconsin game. I am stating this publicly to show my ACC friends that I can dish it and take it, the Big Ten is not that good in football this year and we have just enough weapons where we can win. Against Illinois we got off to a great start and then Coach Hope turned us vanilla in the second half just trying to hold on, we did. To win this week we have to keep mistakes at a minimal, and capitalize on Michigan's and our defense has to stay at the level it's been at recently. Doable? Yes, will it happen, we'll see???

Picking with me this week is Mr Clemson himself Topolk, and I have to say I am ready to jump on the Tigers bandwagon what a season they are having!! I have give him some shots about the ACC and all, but man the Tigers are good could be in the title game baby if everything works out. If you haven't checked out his blog give it a read, and suggest he bring back SNS because I miss those haha. Alabama and Boise State are off this week, onto the picks!

PRO GAMES
New England Patriots(Thomas) at Pittsburgh Steelers(Rocket)
Topolk- I hate the Pats, but with Brady and Welker on that team, it's hard to pick against them. Patriots win a slugfest on the road.
New England 31, Pittsburgh 27

Phats- OOO you two should have some kind of bet on this game, I think it'll be a good game. I kind of like the Steelers in this game, they are really starting to play well right now.
STEELERS 31 patriots 28

Minnesota Vikings(Thomas) at Carolina Panthers(Topolk)
Topolk- This game will be hard to watch and entertaining at the same time. Vikings appear to have found a little spark behind rookie QB Christian Ponder, but the Panthers and their fantastic rookie QB will be a bit too much. Look for Carolina to pick up their 3rd win of the season here.
Minnesota 17, Carolina 28

Phats- Cam can do an awful lot so you can't really ever count out the Panthers, I was impressed with that new QB for the Vikings almost pulled the upset of Green Bay, will he come down to earth or play like he did before. What the hell Topolk is my guest picker give me Carolina!
PANTHERS 24 vikings 17

COLLEGE GAMES
Bowling Green Falcons at Kent State Golden Flashes(DG)
Topolk- BGSU 17, Kent State 24

Phats- I saw on ESPN that Kent State made their bottom 10 not a ranking list you want to make! Give me Bowling Green
BOWLING GREEN 35 kent state 14

Kansas Jayhawks at Texas Longhorns(Gary, Cheryl)
Topolk- Kansas 9, Texas 24

Phats- Plain and simple Kansas is bad, and they are counting the days til basketball no rock chalk jayhawk here
TEXAS 38 kansas 7

Illinois Fighting Illini(Delta) at Penn State Nittany Lions
Topolk- Illinois 17, Penn State 28

Phats- This is a tough one because what if Illinois reverts back to their 6-0 self?? PSU's defense is really good and they are at home and it's hard to win at Happy Valley, give me the Nits!
PENN STATE 24 illinois 17

West Virginia Moutaineers(Angel Jr) at Rutgers Scarlet Knights
Topolk- West Virginia 34, Rutgers 18

Phats- Hmm Rutgers sucks, WVU was shocked by Cuse who knows who will win this one, but I am going with the logical choice of the Eers!
WEST VIRGINIA 31 rutgers 14

Hawaii Warriors at Idaho Vandals(Shife)
Topolk- Hawaii 31, Idaho 17

Phats- Hmm what do I do?!? I am starting to think picking the Vandals is bad luck, maybe if I pick against them they will win and my buddy shife will be happy!! I am still going to VTFU but hoping to turn the tables here
HAWAII 49 idaho 35

Iowa State Cyclones at Texas Tech Red Raiders(Jef, Fuzz)
Topolk- Iowa State 10, Texas Tech 28

Phats- who in their right mind saw the Tech upset from last week coming?? Could this be a letdown game, possibly but I doubt it.
TEXAS TECH 41 iowa state 24

Missouri Tigers(Nutz, Delta) at Texas A&M Aggies
Topolk- Missouri 20, Texas A&M 44

Phats- This will be a good game, but I like the Aggies at home but it will be close
TEXAS A&M 28 missouri 21

South Carolina Gamecocks at Tennessee Volunteers(Tiggy, Emily)
Topolk- South Carolina 17, Tennessee 14

Phats- How perfect the Gamecocks are part of this pick em since they are Clemson's big rival. Tennessee looked good for awhile against Bama, then the Tide literally rolled. I don't really know much about the Gamecocks, but they should win this one
SOUTH CAROLINA 38 tennessee 17

Michigan State Spartans at Nebraska Cornhuskers(Travis)
Topolk- Michigan State 34, Nebraska 33

Phats- WOW Big Ten fans are still catching our breath from MSU's stunning win over Wisconsin last week. It just seems like if it's a close game in Oct the Spartans are going to win. I could easily see Nebraska winning this, but I really feel MSU is the better team therefore going with the Spartans, welcome to the Big Ten Nebraska!
MICHIGAN STATE 31 nebraska 24

BIG GAME OF THE WEEK Oklahoma Sooners at Kansas State Wildcats
Topolk- Watch for the Sooners to be PISSED OFF. K-State is good, but the Sooners are about to hit 'em with the Okie-doke.
Oklahoma 42, Kansas State 28

Phats- This game lost a little luster when OU was upset last week, but still a solid match up. K-State is back to being good at football game, and they are tough at home, but I like OU to bounce back and sneak out with the win here it will be close though
OKLAHOMA 41 kansas state 35

Clemson Tigers(Topolk, Emily) at Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets(Emily)
Topolk- Can my Tigers keep the "Shock the Nation" Tour rolling? I sure hope so. Here's to hoping that this game doesn't wind up being a possession battle.
Clemson 45, Georgia Tech 24

Phats- So question Emily who do you root for?? Or is this a win/win type of game for you? I thought this might be the game where Clemson got upset but Ga Tech has looked just plain awful lately, and I don't think Clemson will struggle here, infact I think they will put the game over at halftime. Go Tigers!! Plus I the Clemson coach he's freaking INSANE
CLEMSON 49 georgia tech 14

Purdue Boilermakers at Michigan Wolverines
Topolk- I'm always the guy who picks against the Boilermakers. I'm a horrible guest.
Purdue 10, Michigan 31

Phats- Bring on scUM!! Some of our best teams have found playing in the big house to be daunting, Drew Brees played there just once but it's a game he'd like to forget so why should this team be any different since we're not as good as those teams. It's simple Michigan is not as good! It will be difficult but we can win this game and get 1 step closer to a bowl, I won't be surprised if we lose afterall Robinson is so hard to contain, but I think we go in and pull this upset off and keep the train rolling Full Steam Ahead! Boiler Up... Hammer Down!
PURDUE 24 michigan 21

Hail Hail to old Purdue all Hail to our old gold and black
Hail Hail to old Purdue our friendship may she never lack
Ever Grateful, ever true thus we raise our song a new FIRE UP!
Of the days we've spent with you, all Hail our own Purdue
GO BOILERS!

BTFU!!!

SUCCESS

Another homecoming in the books, and other than being tired and a little sore it was a success. The biggest success the Boilers shocked a top 25 Illinois team, and took back the cannon by a score of 21-14. Purdue got off to a 21-0 first half lead, and other than 2 late td's by Illinois controlled the game. I have to give mad props to our boys they came out fired up, enthusiastic and ready to play it was refreshing to see. As much crap as I gave Coach Hope a few weeks ago he did a great job with play calls, and managing in the game in the FIRST half. However, the second half showed why would be a good assistant, but not really a great head coach. This makes us now 4-3 and 2-1 in Big Ten play don't look now but we have a realistic shot at a bowl, who would have ever thought that. Yes, I know the schedule is incredibly difficult next two on the road, but lets be honest after Wisky, MSU, and Nebraska the big ten is just not that good this year so we have a shot!

As for the picks, I am not good at pro games haha :) here are the results, and thanks Thomas for picking with me!
Thomas- 9-5
Phats- 10-4

Some WILD finishes, and major upsets all over Saturday. That Wisconsin/Michigan State finish was unbelievable. All over my twitter feed that's all anyone was talking about and whether the correct call was made. I am not sure all I know hell of a play by MSU to take it. A lot of the Purdue people I follow on twitter feel that it should have never have been overturned including G&B Illustrated. It has to suck for Wisconsin to know that their shot at the National Title game could be over thanks to a call they may or may not have been correct. Who the hell saw Oklahoma losing?! Big UPS to Jef and Fuzz for the Texas Tech Red Raiders beating the Sooners. Clemson continues to roll, and after looking at their schedule not really seeing where they will lose in a pretty sad ACC, possibly the ACC title game?? I am still sticking to my pick, even if it pisses off Shife I see Boise State FINALLY getting their shot to claim the title, talking to Duck he has opened my eyes and afterall Boise is a lot like Purdue constantly disrespected and they constantly prove everyone wrong. I am FIRMLY on the Orange and Blue bandwagon.

Basketball season for the Boilers starts a week from Tuesday with our first exhibition game, and quite possibly the best news out of Purdue camp is that Robbie Hummel looks unbelievable. Apparently they held a scrimmage today, and one of the local journalists said "Hummel on FIRE raining in threes" For those that don't know 2 years ago our hoops team was in the top 4 rolling towards a possible #1 seed and final four appearance and we took a trip to Minnesota and Mr Hummel goes down and tears his ACL. We ended up in the sweet 16, and the other two all americans on our team that year decide to come back. First day of practice last year during Purdue's homecoming game ironically enough vs Minnesota Hummel goes down again and tears his ACL. A weird hush went over Ross Ade Stadium that Sat when word spread via social media. Again we went on to have a great season, but we were a National Title Contender. Now he will try to finish his Purdue career this year and I think even our fiercest rivals(iu, nd) want nothing more than Hummel to have a healthy season the young man is liked but just about everyone. So, fingers crossed!

NON SPORTS
Amazing Race- ROCKET STOP READING THIS WILL CONTAIN SPOILERS.
I liked the twins that were eliminated tonight, at times they were annoying but I don't see how siblings could run the race without fighting and be normal. I was SHOCKED when the father/son got off the bus and walked back because they didn't think they could go first class, and then I freaked thinking Ernie and his lady(Sorry can't remember her name) would get a penalty because I like them. I am still not sure there is a favorite yet, or a power couple so it will be interesting to see how the rest of the season unfolds.

I just finished a pretty good book by Harlan Coben. I have to get a shot every three weeks and I always take a book, and one week my nurse was talking to me about what kind of books I like etc and she suggested this author so I tried it. I really liked it, at times it was slow but for the most part it was great. He apparently has a series where the main character is a sports agent so I might have to try some of those next. I am currently reading the book Bonnie by Irish Johansen it's a part of a series pretty good.

Anybody dressing up for Halloween?? I am going as the situation, but with better abs :) haha. I am not a huge fan of Halloween, but we are going to a party so that will be fun. I do love the scary movie marathons. My favorite is the movie Halloween, there is nothing scarier than hearing that music that plays when Michael is about to strike.

Hope everyone has a great week
Phats

HOMECOMING!!!

Welcome to another week of Purdue football, after ALMOST pulling the upset of Penn State the Boilers return home Sat to take on the Illinois Fighting Illini. This is our homecoming game, and yours truly will be on the field cheering on the Boilers again like old times. The game starts at Noon on ESPN2 if you get a chance watch and see if you see me will ya!

I was SLAMMED at work this week so I didn't have time to blog, and I want to give Jef his spoils for winning picking against me here were the final totals.
Jef- 11-5
Phats- 10-6(But I correctly picked the score of the Bama game!)

A slight change up this week, I have asked Thomas to pick with me and he is not a huge college fan, so I added more pro games and took out some college games just this week. As for Thomas he follows the Vikings, Packers, and Patriots in the NFL, and two of them play each other. Get a chance and take a look at his blog, it's good reads.

PRO GAMES
Chicago Bears @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Thomas- This is an interesting matchup and one that was played twice a season back when divisions could have five teams. Tampa's picking up where they left off late last season and are giving the Saints a run for their money. For this reason, I'm picking them over Chi-town.

BUCCANEERS

Phats- Tampa beat my Saints this past Sunday and are playing pretty well. The Bears not as much and I don't like Jay Cutler so you'd think i'd take the Bucs, not so fast Bears pull a semi upset
BEARS 21 bucs 17
FINAL SCORE BEARS 24 bucs 18
Thomas- D'oh
Phats- WOOHOO

Washington Redskins at Carolina Panthers(Topolk)
Thomas- If you go strictly by record, the Panthers are atrocious. With Cam Newton, though, there's always the possibility of a comeback and for that, this game has some potential for being a good one. It's nice to see Rex Grossman back as a starter, but I'm gonna bet that Newton and Steve Smith are able to put enough points on the board to come up with a win this time.

PANTHERS

Phats- The Redskins boast the best rookie in the league Ryan Kerrigan. OK Maybe I am bias since he's a former Boilermaker but he's having a great start to his NFL career. He will cause all sorts of problems for Mr Cheater I mean Cam Newton Skins in a tight one
REDSKINS 24 panthers 21
FINAL SCORE PANTHERS 33 redskins 20
Thomas- WOOHOO
Phats- D'oh

Atlanta Falcons at Detroit Lions
Thomas- It was nice to see Atlanta wear their throwback uniforms on Sunday. They were the ones that they wore in the early 80's when I was just getting into football as a 10-year old. They're not as potent as a year ago, but could make it into the playoffs if they're able to put some wins together. I don't know that they'll get one this weekend, though. Not with the Lions wanting to get back on track after their first loss of the season. The Silverdome, I mean, Ford Field, is going to be rocking pretty hard for their felines and should be able to help ensure a win for them.

LIONS

Phats- I would like to see another dust up between coaches after the game, or is that just when Harbaugh is involved?? Detroit started out so strong but it a snag last week, not sure what to make of the Falcons, so I will go with the home team in this one
LIONS 31 falcons 28
FINAL SCORE FALCONS 23 lions 18
Thomas- D'oh
Phats- D'oh

San Diego Chargers at New York Jets
Thomas- The Jets need a win badly, but I'm not sure they'll be able to get it against Rivers and Co. Cold weather and wind favor the Jets if they're able to consistently run the ball. I bet Rex Ryan would love to have one of those machines that was used in the 1998 bomb "The Avengers" to change the weather over a given area. He'd have no qualms about starting the game at about 23 degrees and lowering it as needed. Either way, I pick the Jets, Jets, Jets.
JETS

Phats- Hmm have I mentioned on this blog before I don't like Phillip Rivers
JETS 42 chargers 21
FINAL SCORE JETS 27 chargers 21
Thomas- WOOHOO
Phats- WOOHOO

Seattle Seahawks(Duck) at Cleveland Browns
Thomas- Seattle is a lucky duck in that they were able to corral two Vikings from last year: QB Tarvaris Jackson and WR Sidney Rice. Watching Rice go at it against the Browns should make for a fun game, but I'm not sure that they'll be able to close it.

BROWNS

Phats- I don't know anything about either one of these teams, and Duck didn't tell me who to pick what's a boy to do???
BROWNS 13 seahawks 10
FINAL SCORE BROWNS 6 seahawks 3
Thomas- WOOHOO
Phats- WOOHOO

Pittsburgh Steelers(Rocket) at Arizona Cardinals(Shife)
Thomas- 'Zona's lost four in a row and I see no reason for that to change as they face the Steelers (the only team in the league whose helmet has a design on one side, but not the other).

STEELERS

Phats- I want nothing more than the Cardinals to win since Shife has been down in the dumps lately over football. However, the Steelers seem to have gotten their act together. Just think Shife basketball is merely weeks away my friend and then you and I get the last laugh on these football dorks!
STEELERS 31 cardinals 17

Indianapolis Colts at New Orleans Saints(Travis, Phats)
Thomas- Who would've thought that without Peyton Manning, the Colts would be winless 3/8th (yeah, I'm good with fractions) of the way through the season? I've no doubt that the Saints will aim to get a quick start on Indy, not wanting them to think they have a chance against the Super Bowl champs of twenty months ago.

SAINTS

Phats- I hate the Colts, I hate Peyton Manning, the one thing I am excited for in this match up it's a battle of former Boiler greats at QB Drew Brees(my hero) vs Curtis Painter. Here is part of the reason I don't like Colts fans, they completely threw Curtis under the bus and showed how uneducated they are on the game, now he's doing decent and they want to defend him again. two face much?? I want nothing more than for the Saints to CRUSH the hapless Colts, but for Curtis to have a good game. WHO DAT
SAINTS 52 colts 7

Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings(Thomas)
Thomas- Though a native Minnesotan, I actively rooted for the Pack during their remarkable playoff run earlier this year. After being backup to Favre for so many years, it was great to finally see Aaron Rodgers get his due. They should have no problem sticking it to the ViQueens this weekend.

PACKERS

Phats- Packers have to lose sometime right?? How about this weekend, uhh don't think so not yet anyway
PACKERS 28 vikings 17

COLLEGE GAMES
Air Force Falcons at Boise State Broncos(Duck)
Thomas- Boise State is as Undercover Brother would say, "Solid!" Air Force will have to drown their sorrows with a 25th Anniversary viewing of "Top Gun". I'm not sure why, but that volleyball scene always makes me uncomfortable.

BOISE STATE

Phats- My grandpa was in the Air Force, but that is not enough for me to pick a crazy upset here, the title train is picking up steam lets go Broncos!
BOISE STATE 49 air force 7
FINAL SCORE BOISE 37 air force 26
Thomas- WOOHOO
Phats- WOOHOO

North Carolina Tar Heels at Clemson Tigers(Topolk, Emily)
Thomas- This could be close, but in the end, I think the Tigers will win.

CLEMSON

Phats- I am going with the upset here, yes I have picked against Clemson before to help them, but I just feel like they are bound to set down to earth sometime here and crash to reality. Don't get me wrong though i'd love to see the Tigers win this.
NORTH CAROLINA 24 clemson 21
FINAL SCORE Clemson 59 unc 38
Thomas- WOOHOO
Phats- D'oh

Texas Tech Red Raiders(Jef, Fuzz) at Oklahoma Sooners
Thomas- Again, great record for a technical school, Raiders. There's no shame in losing to the Sooners.

OKLAHOMA

Phats- This one could get ugly, or Tech could keep it close. OU needs blow outs they will get one here
OKLAHOMA 44 texas tech 10
FINAL SCORE TEXAS TECH 41 ou 38
Thomas- D'oh
Phats- D'oh

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets(Emily) at Miami Hurricanes
Thomas- I have to say, 6-1 is a pretty damn good record for a technical college. :P Unless "The U" is able to show more than they have thus far, the Jackets should have this one zipped tight.

GEORGIA TECH

Phats- What the hell happened to Tech last week?? UVA is AWFUL for that reason alone I am going with the Canes at home, sorry Emily hope I am wrong
MIAMI 35 georgia tech 14
FINAL SCORE MIAMI 24 tech 7
Thomas- D'oh
Phats- WOOHOO

Tennessee Volunteers(Emily, Tiggy) at Alabama Crimson Tide(Booya, Cheryl, Gary)
Thomas- Crimson, such a beautiful color. Volunteer Orange, that'll stop traffic. Unfortunately, for the Vols, there's no extraneous traffic on the field once the game begins; just crimson as far as the eye can see.

ALABAMA

Phats- Sorry Emily but this makes it officially three for three that I am picking against your teams haha this is the one I am most confident about, Tide literally ROLLS to a win ROLL TIDE!
ALABAMA 49 tennessee 10
FINAL SCORE BAMA 37 tennessee 6
Thomas- WOOHOO
Phats- WOOHOO

Illinois Fighting Illini(Delta) at Purdue Boilermakers(Phats)
Thomas- BOILER UP, BITCHES!!!!! We've saved the best for last. Though they have one of the weirdest names in all of sports: Illinois Illini (that would be like Phats' team being called the Purdue Purdye), I'm giving it to the state that starts with Ill and ends with nois (though I've no doubt they'll be plenty of noise coming from various remnants of Ross-Ade Stadium on Saturday, not to mention the noise made by those who aren't named Phats).
ILLINOIS

Phats- Oh I love homecoming especially when it gets me back on the field. I have practiced my tumbling and I am ready to fly thru the endzone. Hopefully we will score! haha So, I bust on the Big East, and the ACC but truth is this year I think the Big Ten is bad, and really the only team I don't think we can stay with is Wisconsin. For us to win against the better teams we have to be perfect, we weren't in Happy Valley and we lost to PSU we will be just good enough to sneak one out Saturday. BTFU BITCHES PHATS IS BACK BABY
PURDUE 31 illinois 28
FINAL PURDUE 21 illinois 14
Thomas- D'oh
Phats- WOOFREAKINGHOO!

Hail Hail to old Purdue all Hail to our old gold and black
Hail Hail to old Purdue our friendship may she never lack
Ever Grateful, ever true thus we raise our song a new FIRE UP!
Of the days we've spent with you, all Hail our own Purdue
GO BOILERS!

BTFU!!!

Wow half way point already?

I can't believe we have reached the halfway point of the college football season. It's crazy how time flies as you get older. The Boilers have a tough one this week as they go on the road to happy valley and take on the Nits of Penn State and Grandpa Joe Paterno! We have only one ONCE at Penn State, and if you guessed during the Drew Brees era you'd be wrong. Our only win came with now benched Denver Bronco Kyle Orton playing QB for us. Penn State is the only Big Ten stadium yours truly has never been too, and that is disappointing because the atmosphere there looks amazing on tv I can only imagine what it's like in person. It's not as daunting a tast to go to Penn State since they aren't as good as the once where but it will definitely be an uphill battle for the Boilers, and our fearless leader Coach Hope. Put it this way PSU is no Minnesota.

Guest picking with me today is Knot AKA Jef he is a Texas Tech (manure throwing) fan. Check out his blog he doesn't update as much but he's a cool guy, and a great photographer if you're ever looking for someone in his area. Now onto the picks, Nebraska and West Virginia are off this week
Umm I have no clue why the text is highlighted, but I am too lazy to try and change it :)

PRO GAMES Minnesota Vikings(Thomas) at Chicago Bears
Jef- Da Bears, da bears, da bears, da bears, da bears, da bears, da bears, da bears, da bears, da bears, da bears.
BEARS

Phats- I kind of have to root for the Bears because they are close to Indiana and well I did do the super bowl shuffle when I was a kid
BEARS 31 vikings 17

Dallas Cowboys at New England Patriots(Thomas)
Jef- Really?!?! The Romo rollercoaster continues. Dallas stays close but loses to the Pats in the old school uni's.
PATRIOTS

Phats- Hmm Romo is kind of a douche probably only behind Rivers and Tebow as far as douchebags go at the QB spot, Patriots looked great in their first few but have struggled a bit lately, shouldn't have much of a problem with the cowgirls
PATRIOTS 35 cowboys 21

Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers(Rocket)
Jef- The jagulars get one in the jugular. Pittsburgh wins at home. STEELERS

Phats- Steelers are starting to play better, Jags won't put up much of a fight
STEELERS 41 jags 21

COLLEGE GAMES
Iowa State Cyclones at Missouri Tigers(Delta, Nutz)
Jef- Missouri sends the cyclones in a cloud of dust as the Tigers bid farewell to the B12. Tigers win!
MISSOURI

Phats- Not so fast my friend Jef, it appears Mizzou is staying put and wouldn't they nobody really seems to want them. ISU could test the Tigers a bit but I am going with the Black and Gold
MISSOURI 31 iowa state 17
EDIT FINAL SCORE MISSOURI 52 iowa state 17
Jef- WOOHOO
Phats- WOOHOO

Alabama Crimson Tide(Booya Gary Chery) @ Ole Miss Rebels
Jef- Good gosh, MSU will no longer be the cellar dweller in the SEC now that tamu is coming to town. Tide rolls with a win.
ALABAMA

Phats- I think it would be funny to see Ole Miss win here but I don't foresee that happening Tide Rolls
ALABAMA 52 mississippi 7
EDIT FINAL SCORE ALABAMA 52 ole miss 7
Jef- WOOHOO
Phats- WOOHOO AND I PICKED IT RIGHT ON!!!

Idaho Vandals(Shife) at New Mexico State Aggies
Jef- These two states combined have fewer people than the greater Houston area. So if a vandal falls in Idaho, does anyone care? I'll take the Aggies for a win.
NEW MEXICO STATE

Phats- I have a loyalty to my friend, and Amazing Race buddy Shife, I am going to pick the Vandals!! Because I am ready to VTFUB! The B on the end stands for Bitches if you didn't know haha
IDAHO 24 new mexico state 21
EDIT FINAL SCORE NMSU 31 idaho 24
Jef- WOOHOO
Phats- D'oh

Miami Redhawks at Kent State Golden Flashes(DG)
Jef- Who does not love a game with weird mascots? Kent St. pulls the pistol on the hawks and wins one to put in the trophy case.
KENT STATE

Phats- Apparently Kent State is not very good, but Miami lost to Minnesota and they might be the worst power conference team I have ever seen. Give me a good flash anyday!
KENT STATE 31 miami 10
EDIT FINAL SCORE MIAMI 9 kent state 3
Jef- D'oh
Phats- D'oh

Boise State Broncos(Duck) at Colorado State Rams
Jef- I'll pick this one for my ex-patriot friend and CSU alum in Belgium and say the rams lock horns and win.
COLORADO STATE

Phats- I have said it before I will say it again I am on the Boise Bandwagon!! Duck has made a fan and a believer out of me, and I dig Kellen Moore GO ORANGE GO BLUE!
BOISE STATE 59 colorado state 7
EDIT FINAL SCORE BOISE STATE 63 colorado state 13
Jef- D'oh
Phats- WOOHOO

Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets(Emily) at Virginia Cavaliers
Jef- I watched GTech put it to someone this weekend. They do it again in Vuh -Jin- Ya and pull out a win of the cavaliers.
GEORGIA TECH

Phats- I saw UVA on tv vs IU and they were god awful, still not sure how good Ga Tech is either though and we won't find out much about them after they pound the Cavs
GEORGIA TECH 61 virginia 3
EDIT FINAL SCORE UVA 24 ga tech 21
Jef- D'oh
Phats- D'oh

Ohio State Buckeyes at Illinois Fighting Illini(Delta)
Jef- THE Ohio state university wins and I hate they emphasize the whole "THE" thing.
OHIO STATE

Phats- I hate they emphasis that too Jef! Illinois hasn't really played anyone on their way to being undefeated and yes I include Arizona State as a nobody. This is their first test and they are getting an absolute DESPERATE Buckeye team after a complete meltdown in Lincoln. Pissed of Bucks get the win as sad as that makes me since I hate the SUCKeyes
OHIO STATE 21 illinois 17
EDIT FINAL SCORE OSU 17 illinois 7
Jef- WOOHOO
Phats- WOOHOO

Clemson Tigers(Topolk, Emily) at Maryland Terrapins
Jef- Dude, even though the new uni's are smart and ugly, Terps lose.
CLEMSON

Phats- This is a dangerous game for Clemson especially being on the road. However, I just informed Topolk via twitter that his Tigers will be in a BCS game and are a National Title contender they will survive a spirited Terps team to keep the Big Orange machine rolling CLEMSON 35 maryland 28
EDIT FINAL SCORE CLEMSON 56 maryland 45
Jef- WOOHOO
Phats- WOOHOO

Louisiana State Tigers at Tennessee Volunteers(Emily)
Jef- LSU wins. Tennessee has seen not a good season since the years of Peyton
LSU

Phats- OUCH Emily this one might get brutal. LSU remains #1 with a trashing of the Vols
LSU 44 tennessee 10
EDIT FINAL SCORE LSU 38 tennessee 7
Jef- WOOHOO
Phats- WOOHOO

Oklahoma State Cowboys at Texas Longhorns(Gary, Cheryl)
Jef- Tough game to pick. tu is reeling from the loss to OU. OSU is high off the win over tamu. I say OSU cleans tu's clock for a win
OKLAHOMA STATE

Phats- Man this could be a great game, and I so want to take Texas in an upset but Oklahoma just clobbered the Horns, and I am not sure they have the manpower to stay with the Pokes, Give me OSU in a thriller
OKLAHOMA STATE 38 texas 31
EDIT FINAL SCORE OSU 38 texas 26
Jef- WOOHOO
phats- WOOHOO

BIG GAME OF THE WEEK
Michigan Wolverines at Michigan State Spartans
Jef- Never liked watching a game on TV when Michigan St was at home. What an ugly field and stadium. But I think the Spartans win this one.
MICHIGAN STATE

Phats- Hmm I don't think the Big Ten is that good outside of Wisconsin, and I am not sure how good either of these teams are. This is a huge rivalry game so you can throw records out the window. UM seems to be a team of destiny so I am going with the Maize and Blue in a close one
MICHIGAN 28 michigan state 21
EDIT FINAL SCORE MSU 28 mich 14
Jef- WOOHOO
Phats- D'oh

Kansas State Wildcats at Texas Tech Red Raiders(Jef, Fuzz)
Jef- Tech better win. I'll take Tech at home.
TEXAS TECH

Phats- K-State might be the most underrated team in the Nation, that said I think they go into Lubbock and get beat, I believe this is even Tech's homecoming come on you can't lose homecoming!
TEXAS TECH 42 kansas State 35
EDIT FINAL SCORE K-STATE 41 tech 34
Jef- D'oh
Phats- D'oh

Purdue Boilermakers(me) at Penn State Nittany Lions
Jef- Is Joe Pa still alive? He needs to move on. I'll take Purdue for the win on the road. PURDUE

Phats- Oddly enough, even with our inept coach I think we have a shot at this one. PSU's offense is bad, however their defense is great. We have, i mean HAVE to play mistake free football and not let them get a huge lead early. I am not sure I actually seeing this happen, but I am taking the homer pick of my Boilermakers!
PURDUE 21 penn state 17
EDIT FINAL SCORE PSU 23 purdue 18
Jef- D'oh
Phats- D'oh

Hail Hail to old Purdue all Hail to our old gold and black
Hail Hail to old Purdue our friendship may she never lack
Ever Grateful, ever true thus we raise our song a new FIRE UP!
Of the days we've spent with you, all Hail our own Purdue
GO BOILERS!

BTFU!!!

Things are always better when you WIN

Pretty good weekend here in phats land, the warm weather has come back, and the Boilers got a convincing win over the Minnesota Golden Gophers 45-17. Some observations from the game

1- We're bad, but we're not that bad! Minnesota might be the worst team in college football, it's too bad they don't play IU so we could determine who is worse. I was relieved to see us pounce on them from the start and go up 24-0 after 1 quarter and pretty much just salt the game away.

2- Ricardo Allen time baby! Our DB picked off a pass in the 1st half and returned it for 6 pts why is this important it tied him with former Boilermaker great and hall of famer Rod Woodson and he is only a Sophomore!! The kid has got MAD skills.

3- Where is everyone? The crowd was awful, not surprised though. Students were nowhere to be found but they get a pass they were on fall break, but where were the other fans??? It looked pretty bad on ESPN(I wonder who the hell scheduled that one)

4- My friends make me laugh. I have 2 extra tickets to every game and I try to take different people and for this one I took my friends Nikki and Justin. Nikki and I have known each other and been friends since HS she is also my mixed doubles tennis partner, well she met Justin and they got married and now he is one my good friends although he is a Notre Dame and IU fan BLEH. Anyway they are pretty straight arrows, don't drink, don't party, don't cuss so Phats has to be on his best behavior although they don't really care if I cuss, anyway she was telling me she had a bad week and wanted to drink at the game even though she was kidding I was like I am going to make this happen! So I went by a friend's tailgate and basically was like you need to give her a drink only problem they kept pouring and to my surprise Nikki kept drinking!! It was hilarious Justin and I were CRACKING up. As we walked to the stadium she just kept saying man why am I so light headed HAHA OH MAN! good times!

5- I still want Hope fired. I think the guy is ridiculous and his statements make him look like an idiot. He went with Terbush as QB, and when he let Marve play only let him hand off the ball. For those that don't know Marve/Hope had a little spat. After the ND Game Hope threw his QB Marve under the bus, and Marve took to twitter it was quite interesting. Most the fan base sided with Marve. Unless by some miracle we win out I see him getting fired.

As for the picks here are the results
Shife- 13-3
Phats- 13-3
Look at that we tied!! How about see who can do the most back flips wins?? :) Or Rock Paper Scissors?

Now for non sports
I had a creepy incident this morning. I was leaving for work and I am parked on the street, and I get into my car and I see a car coming down our street. We live on a dead end and don't get much traffic. Anyway, it slows wayyy down and they stare at me they were dirty looking. They drive down to the end of the block pull in a driveway but not all the way up just by the mailbox, and sit there. So, I decide lets not leave just yet and I sit there too. He pulls out and pulls literally RIGHT behind me for like 5 secs, and then goes around me going REALLY slow again. So I don't look obvious I pretend to be texting. I was hoping he'd leave our block but he pulled into another driveway and just sat by the mailbox which just creeped me out. Unfortunately I had to blink first or I would be late for work so I left. Nothing seems to be missing in the house so I guess it was nothing just a little creepy.

I am digging the new season of Amazing Race I like that nobody has separated away from the pack yet no clear cut favorite. I didn't like seeing the showgirls go home, but I do dig the snowboarders. I hate though that they are too nice that might bite them in the end. Producers are getting really tricky with the clues this season you REALLY have to pay attention. Shife/Duck/Rocket we will have to pay attention when we run the race. Yes, I mentioned three guys I have told them all I am in haha. In reality they'd probably be better off with each other because i'd be the bully guy nobody likes I am a little too competitive, just ask Bekah at our last game night Nutz and I were throwing bows.

Some good new shows this year, We have kept with Pan Am, I know the ratings have gone down but I hope it sticks I like it, and love Ricci! 2 Broke Girls is hilarious got to be one of the best new shows on this season. Anyone else watching anything new??

Alright all I got for ya, have a great week!
Phats