Volleyball - Seminoles Beat Gators - First Time in 18 years

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (from seminoles.com) - In front of a raucous Tully Gym crowd, the 12th-ranked Florida State indoor volleyball team earned an emotional 3-0 (25-23, 25-22, 25-21) victory in front of over 1,600 fans to snap a 21-match losing streak over 11th-ranked Florida on Wednesday night. Indeed, some of the current Seminoles (19-2) were barely walking the last time Florida State defeated Florida - Oct. 31, 1994. It had been a streak full of repeated heartbreak until Wednesday evening when the current crop of Seminoles put together a milestone win for the program. In the process, Florida State extended its school-record win streak at Tully Gym to 21 matches.

Seminoles 33 Miami 20

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/10/21/v-print/3059769/miami-hurricanes-florida-state.html#storylink=cpy

From the - Posted on Sun, Oct. 21, 2012 Stephen Morris returns, struggles in Miami Hurricanes’ loss to rival Florida State Seminoles BY SUSAN MILLER DEGNAN sdegnan@miamiherald.com CHARLES TRAINOR JR. / MIAMI HERALD STAFF Miami Hurricanes Phillip Dorsett is defended by Florida State Seminoles Ronald Darby in the second quater at Sun Life Stadium in Miami Gardens, October 20, 2012. Darby deflected the ball. There was intrigue leading up to the game, buffoonery during it and at least on this particular night, a packed, rockin’ house at Sun Life Stadium.And in the end, the team that was expected to win, did. But it needed 17 points in the fourth quarter to pull away. No. 12 Florida State defeated Miami 33-20 Saturday, handing the Hurricanes their third consecutive loss. The Seminoles (7-1, 4-1 Atlantic Coast Conference) have defeated the Hurricanes (4-4, 3-2) the past three years, and six out of the last eight. "We have to develop our guys and recruit some more and keep working, and don't make any excuses,'' said UM coach Al Golden. "They're a better team right now.'' Hurricanes fans waited all week to see which quarterback would start — usual starter Stephen Morris, who sprained his left ankle last week against North Carolina, or backup Ryan Williams. Morris, who was listed by UM as “doubtful,’’ got the nod.

Mimi is in Miami for the Game with the Hurricanes

Drew - the kids - and I are lined up in their Richmond living room to watch the Noles play the Hurricanes. My friend Mimi flew to South Beach for the weekend and is tailgating at the"name of the month" stadium. She sent me this photo of the Goodyear Blimp. The blimp makes its home nearby down there. There is no place like South Florida and South Beach Miami.

Lulu is back in Tallahassee. She will probably see half the game from the sofa.

Harry's iPhone

Cruising Over Atlanta

6:20 At The Gate - On The Way To Richmond

It is still dark. Getting on a crowded flight to Richmond via Atlanta. I expect to be there by 11.

The plane is crowded with Gators flying to Columbia SC for their game with Spurrier and the Gamecocks.

I will be flying home Wednesday late.

I will be watching the Seminoles playing Miami in Drew's living room with Jack.

I volunteered for a bump.

Late Note - Stupid Gators going to the wrong city.

Study Library Science in London

I just saw this ad on the Internet - 

An exciting opportunity to earn six graduate LIS credits while living in central London is being offered by the Florida State University School of Library and Information Studies. Two multimedia production courses, taught by Dr. Nancy Everhart from July 8 to July 29, 2013 at the FSU London Centre, will use this dynamic city and the surrounding areas as a backdrop for creating projects such as podcasts, social networking sites, blogs, short films, and digital photography. No prior experience with these media is required. All classes will be field trip based. There are online requirements before and after the time in London.

Almost a Barn Find - a 1927 Ford Model T Roadster

This is an original - all metal - 1927 Ford Model T Roadster.

I have always wanted to own a Model T Ford - here was my chance. Tom had posted his for sale in Craigslist a few weeks back - I contacted him to go take a look at it. Yesterday - Lulu and I drove the Prius about 25 miles east of town. Lulu usually does not like to go along on my "American Pickers" tours although she does not miss that show when it comes on TV.

Henry Ford built the Model T from 1908 to 1928. He sold over 20 million of them. At one time - 50% of all the cars in the world were Model T's. No - Henry did not invent the automobile. Henry did not even invent the production line or interchangeable parts - but he did take all those ideas and roll them into one. While other cars were selling for thousands of dollars - Ford produced cars for $250 each. He did this on a production line in Detroit that paid workers $5 a day - double what the going rate was back then. When Hitler started producing the VW - he was trying to emulate Ford. ford built a factory where iron ore came in one end on a boat and cars came out the other end on a railroad.

It has a 4 cylinder Ford flathead engine.

4 Days in Richmond

The Capitol in Richmond - before they added the wings reminds me of the Parthenon in Athens Greece

Tomorrow morning early I am flying to Richmond. Son Drew and family moved there in July and it is my first chance to see the new house.

I am looking forward to spending lots of time with Jack (4) and Kate (almost 2). Of course - I always like to see Drew and Robin - but Robin will be away visiting her Dad in South Carolina.

The Presidential Debate

My Buddy George Gets Another Science Award

Dr. Stuart Fleischer presenting the Rob Nave Award to George Dawson - Professor Emeritus FSU

This past weekend George Dawson attended the annual meeting of the Southeastern Association for Science Teacher Education in Macon, GA. He was given this award.  He thought he was through with this stuff when he retired 11 years ago.  The man giving him the award is one of his former students who teaches at the American School in Tel Aviv - Dr. Stuart Fleischer.  He was the keynote speaker at the conference and wanted to be the one who gave this plaque to George.  FSU had more teaching alumni there than any other school other than Macon College, the host institution.  The person who nominated George was one of his  students  - Dr. Randy Spaid - who worked as a graduate assistant on a couple of George's interactive media projects.

Dawson said, "Having so many fine people come into my life over the years is why I loved my job so much."

George's wife Joel accompanied him to Macon to receive the award. George is still very active - camping - biking - and traveling.

20 Years Ago - Wide Right

Computers Rank FSU Below Top 25

FSU No. 14 in BCS standings

You can't fool the computers when it comes to ranking college football teams. 

Due to FSU's scheduling a bunch of patsies including two I-AA schools - the computers dropped them out of the Top 25. Less than 10 days ago - the Noles were ranked Number 3 in the nation by the polls. Then they lost to a weak NCSU team by a point and flummoxed Boston College in Tallahassee 51-7.

The initial 2012 BCS standings were released Sunday night, and one thing is clear about Florida State's No. 14 ranking -- the Seminoles (6-1) are not much of a hit with the computers.

FSU checks in this week at No. 8 in the Harris Poll and No. 10 in the USA Today coaches' poll, both of which are considered in the BCS rankings as well. But five of the six computer models that are used don't have the Seminoles ranked in the top 25.

And the one computer program that did rank them had the Seminoles at No. 23.

FSU (6-1) remained at No. 12 in the AP Top 25, which is not factored into the BCS.

The Seminoles travel to Miami this Saturday to play the always difficult Hurricanes. So far FSU is 6-0 when playing in the Sunshine State - 0-1 when playing anywhere else. Although Miami is in-state - it is an 9 hour bus ride to the event for the band. I would not bet on the Seminoles. Out of 7 games this year - I think they only beat the point spread twice.

Tamaqua Football 7-0 - Must Still Play PV and Marian

From the Reading Eagle - 

When Sam Bonner took over as Tamaqua's head football coach in 2007, his main goal was to get the Blue Raiders to a point where games in late October mattered.

So far, he has reached those goals in multiple seasons.

Tamaqua made the Eastern Conference playoffs in 2008 and '11 and has had two eight-win seasons under Bonner. In his sixth season, he has a record of 35-27, which is pretty good in a tough circuit like the Anthracite Football League.

Try This At Beaver Stadium - $10 - Half Hour Before Kickoff

FSU 51 Boston College 7 - Great Weather For Scooter Ride

James Wilder Jr - I love how this kid plays - remember his dad?

Florida State has been licking their wounds all week after losing in Raleigh last weekend by a point. The press here has been savaging Coach Jimbo Fisher for his weak and unimaginative play calling last  Saturday. Their national championship hopes were dashed by a second half of timid deer in the headlights play calling after going into halftime with a 16-0 lead. To top off that poor performance - Fisher laid the loss on the players' lack of execution. He said after watching the video - he made all the right calls. Fisher took no blame for the loss and vowed to coach his way. Sure.

5 PM in the Boston College/FSU Game Early

We are in section 32. Row 17. $10 each. Tons of tickets for sale outside. We bought the first pair we looked at. Left the house at 4:30 on scooter. We are in shade already.

Coach Jimbo Fisher Changes His Tune Quickly

After his team’s 17-16 loss on Saturday night to N.C. State and the subsequent firestorm of a press conference on Monday, Florida State head coach Jimbo Fisher likely knew Wednesday night’s call-in show would generate a slew of pointed questions from FSU fans.

What wasn’t known was how Fisher would respond. Especially after he said multiple times on Monday he didn’t regret a single call from that stunning loss in Raleigh, N.C.