Back for real!

Okay, I know that I said that I would be back about a month ago, but that shows you just how busy this last month has been. But I am now managing my time a lot better, or so I think, so I hope to free up some time so I can write a quick fifteen maybe twenty minute blog.

Last semester I remember grasping at straws and trying to get fifty, well, there is no limit on this so this will be whatever comes to mind type of thing. Topics could range from sports to the latest shopping I might have done, which is a very unlikely subject seeing that I don't shop. But to get thing started lets talk about church.

Being here at BYU you would think you would have 100 percent attendance all the time, well, you don't, at least not in my ward. I find this very funny and almost unbelievable to think that here I am at BYU with over 95% of people Mormon and they are having a hard time waking up to go to church. I think it is pretty ridiculous. Half the guys in my ward plan on going on missions, at least that is what they say, but half of them don't do there hometeaching.

I am not really trying to attack individuals, but I find it funny that when a big group of people get together with the same beliefs or same wants and desires, things tend to go down. I am sure that if you went to go play basketball with the best of the best, you would notice a decline in work ethic on the team compared to a moderate team that is trying to get better. I think that people lower their standards and their expectations when they get together. Why they do this? Beats me. Wouldn't people want to get better at doing things. Maybe I am slight off my rocker on this one and I feel that I am so maybe it is time to end this blog and quite trying to defend my position. All I want to say is that if you say you believe in something, believe in it and do it. Actions speak louder than words my friends, actions speak louder than words.

Well, I am moving to another blog page. It is called "Sports, Fun, and Other Junk." Look at my complete profile and than click on my other blog. That is where things will start being published from now on.

Guess who's back?

That is right everyone, you heard it right. Eric is back, back again, so tell a friend. This semester is looking like it will be a very interesting one to say the least. I am unsure of how often I will actually blog but if it ends up being like I want it to, once a week on Saturdays.

So fasten your seat belt and get ready to enjoy another roller coaster ride, in other words, this semester is going to be a monster. But hey, we all thrive under pressure don't we? I thought you would all agree. Peace out, check back in a week. - Eric, writer of this blog

I hate English!

You know, I had very positive feelings towards English until I had to write this research paper. This has to be the worst paper I have ever had to write and the worst paper that I have ever written in my life.

Don't get me wrong, the day I turned it in I felt good about it, but that was a week ago, I had maybe ten hours of sleep for the last four days, and I had just written two other papers and did a ton of homework for other classes.

I probably should have taken some time and proof read the thing some more, worked through it a few more times, but heck, I was sick of it by then. Now, as I have to rip the thing apart, I see how much it sucks.

I don't have a single good argument that can stand on its own. I don't have a good intro and I definitely don't have a good conclusion. I wouldn't be surprised if this research paper made Professor Windsor barf after he read the first few sentences. The thing sucks horribly. The paper lacks substance and then to put my crappy writing with it, you are asking for trouble. I don't think that you believe, let me just say this. I asked a guy on my floor to read it and he told me really simple, with just reading the first paragraph, that it was already a bad paper.

Windsor, I will make you a deal. You can spare yourself the time of reading my research paper and give me a D, well, to be fair, a -D would probably be better. It sucks, it sucks really bad and a -D would be like a Christmas present to me.

I don't know, all I know is that I hate English and I hate writing. End of story.

50!

50...I made it. Something that I never foresaw happening with so much time left but I did it. Now what do I do? I mean this account is still going to be here for a long time so what should I do with it?

I feel like saying that I am going to keep on blogging and talking to the rest of the world about my problems, about the sports world, about life in general. I never thought that blogging would become so addicting, something that I would look forward to doing. I go through out the day I think about what I could possibly blog about and when something comes up, bam, I write about it.

Now with football coming to a close I won't blog about that alone. I think I am going to blog about college hoops and other sports like tennis and hockey. Tennis doesn't start till spring time but that is okay. I might blog about school and how stupid it is getting or how great it is going, or even just about how well my workouts are coming along.

something that I never wrote about was how the spell check on blogger thinks blog is a missed spelled word. I just think it is funny how the website can't make it so it's name is a word.

Well, for now I think I might take a break from blogging, but don't worry I will be back. I have to be because I still have to pick my college hoops team, and no it isn't BYU's basketball team. Also, I have to keep you updated on March Madness, and maybe we can make some sort of an agreement where we could... Exchange goods, also known as betting, but we don't like to call it that. I am sure that there will always be something to blog about, I mean you could blog about some stupid assignment to help you get ideas on how to do it, or you could blog about how stupid some new policy is. All I want to say is that you might want to check back here every now and then so you can stay updated. It was a great blogging season, stay updated for what goes on during the pre-season.

The worse weekend ever!

The weekend after the BYU/Utah I made the comment that that weekend had been the worse weekend in my life, I lied. Yes I know I am a horrible person and I am over dramatic about things but hey that is me so get over it.

The worse weekend that I have ever had was not to long ago. If you are a regular Eric Fraley blog reader then you might have read about my grandpa named Pomps, well Alfred Black. I never really finished that story and after I read that blog I rather felt disgusted with myself. I never really told who my grandpa was or what he was all about. I merely said a few words and a few things that made no sense at all. Sadly, my grandpa is no longer alive to hear this one the second time around.

My Grandpa was a man of values, not one that bent the rules his way or that to make them fit in his way, but one that placed an emphasis on how well he did things. When it came time to do something, whether it be bailing and hauling hay, to cleaning beans before they were cooked, he made it a point to do it the right way and the best way possible. He wasn't out to cheat someone out of things, or to make things play in his favor, he was out to produce something worth while that he could say that he did.

Having a Spanish background in my family, a lot of emphasis is placed on food. That is where families get together most often, in the kitchen. I have never been to a family get together where there wasn't food there. I am not saying someone sliding by Wal-Mart an hour before and picking things up, but a well thought out planned meal. Maybe simple dishes but still, things with some thought in them.

With all these people eating all the time, someone has to cook it, and it usually turned out to be my grandma. Beans is almost a given at every meal and we don't do this buy the canned beans, heat them up and call them good. I mean sit down and get uncooked beans, sort them separate them and then cook them. Now, as a family we would sit down and sort beans and clean them out. You have to get the ones that are cut in half, spilt, and the weird let chunks of who knows what that comes with them. While most of us did this really well in my family, my grandpa did them the best.

We would pre sort our beans and then have to give them to him for a final inspection. His pile of unusable beans was rather larger then ours. How? Beats me, I would spend forever on a little pile, just making sure that I got all of the possible unwanted ones out. I would look over them four or five times and then give them to him, and with in a glance he could pick out bad ones that I didn't even see.

In the summer while we would be bailing hay, he would take the time to stop and check the weight of the bales quite often. While you could make a more bales of hay lighter and sale them just as much as a heavier bail, he would make sure that he had good quality bales. Make sure that they were good solid bales that had the best alafafa he could produce. When people would go to buy hay from him, he would sale that best hay that he had and leave himself with the worst of it all. Sure you may say that this is good business. Well, it must have been really good business when you have people driving 3 to 4 hours just to buy hay from him. It didn't matter who you were, if you were paying for it, he would sale you the best he had. If his best wasn't worth the price that he was selling it for originally, he would cut the price.

He was honest in all of his transaction, whether it be with be strangers or with family, he would make sure that what he did was fair. If you worked for him and did a good job, he would pay you accordingly.

although my grandpa did have to much formal education, he had a brilliant mind. He was a problem solver. He would look at something and think about it and read a manual or draw a picture out to try and make things work. My grandma makes some of the greatest tortillas you could ever have and she has been doing it for a while. Thus she can make some pretty perfect circles with these things when she rolls them out. Well, one day, my grandma had to go do some things but she needed to have some tortillas made while she was gone, so she asked my grandpa to do it for her. She left and took care of all of her errands to come back to see that she not only had all of her tortillas made but also, all of them were perfect circles. My grandpa took great pride in this and actually for awhile made fun of her for it. Finally, he told her how he did. He rolled out the dough and then using a larger bowl then normal cut out his tortillas into that perfect circle.

My grandpa had this saying, "That's life." He was a man who realized that you can only do so much and if things went bad, that was life. You need not make a big deal of something that has little significant to the greater realm of things. He was never a member of the church but he was a faithfully believer in God and knew that God had a hand in everything.

My grandpa was a man of forgiveness. He had very little patience's but was quick to forgive. One summer while I was working with him, I broke something on the bailer because I didn't do what he told me to do. To replace the part costed a couple hundred dollars and an entire afternoons worth or work. He got upset at me when he realized what I had done, but by the time we were on our way back from picking up the new part, which was maybe twenty minutes later, he had forgotten all about my mistake and was already on to thinking about how to fix it. HE never held on to grudges, he never went to bed angry with someone, he never let the person go on the rest of their lives thinking that he was upset with them. He had a great ability to forgive people for what they had done.

Well, this could go on forever and ever, but I think I have done a good job of talking about my grandpa. If you have any questions about him let me know and I will be more then willing to answer them for you.

Titles

As I come down the home stretch to finish these blogs I have come to realize that only once did I have a repeated title, and really that title was just a continued blog that I should have left together. I think it rather amazing that I could sit down and write 50 blogs with 50 different blogs. I am rather amazed.

I am not to sure whether or not I have talked about this or not yet but my weekend is looking like crap. But before I get into it I would just like to take the time to say that I love college.

As finals approach, homework and the number of assignments have increased, not to mention all the planning for ward activities, last good byes, tests, and why the heck not, planning for next year.

Now, this weekend I have been put in a very interesting situation, do my homework or sleep, or even better yet, do my homework or go to church. The last part is a no brainier, I will be at church on Sunday, but how much sleep I get this weekend is another matter. I have a test tomorrow that I have to take for Math 110. I also have a research paper, a Doctrine and Covenenants paper to write, and last but not least, a student development paper. The last one is going to take me a whole hour to do, maybe.

Now on top of that I have to study for that math test, a chem test that I take on Monday, and also plan a fireside for Monday night. It is going to be interesting to see how that fireside turns out because I don't even know where it is going to be at.

Put all of that aside and I still have to plan for next semester and also plan for my finals and what I am doing for Christmas. So, to sum it all up and to make all of you feel better about yourself, this is my weekend, if you could have a longer weekend then this one, I would like to hear it. I am not talking about rolling cars, going to the ER or anything like that. I am talking in a work aspect of it all. But really it doesn't matter. Later

The clock isn't right, it really is 4:30 in the morning!

Yep, you read the title right. It is four in the morning and I am still up and today just isn't looking any better. I still have a test to take, some classes to attend, and work to go to. I just hope that the rest of the weekend isn't like this. I might just die the weekend before finals, that would suck.

Let us think happier thoughts, hockey, that isn't a happy thought at all. I just don't feel that I did any justice in my hockey blog. I didn't talk about any individuals or any teams and how well they are doing this year. I just sat there and wrote about what hockey could be compared to.

Hockey is a great sport and it really is up at the list. If you look at the way it is developed it is great. You have a very fast pace back and forth game with violence. In the sport of hockey, fights are almost encouraged, unlike other sports. Will I give hockey the top spot over football? Not in a heart beat but if I had lived in lets say Texas, where the Dallas Stars play, I might enjoy hockey. (Just for future reference, I hate the Stars and the Detroit Red Wings) Any reason why, not really, just because of the teams they are.

The thing that is the coolest about hockey is the names. All of these guys are from who knows where and so they have really cool names like Vincent Lecalavier, Dominik Hasek, Evgeni Nabakov, Eric Lindros, and my favorite... Miikka Kiprusoff. See if you can pronounce that one. The last names are usually the best.

In all reality, the problem with hockey in the United States is that it isn't home grown. It cost to much to practice hockey in America so, no one in America practices it. We may think that this isn't a problem, it really is. While the boys in Colorado or the Midwest, even people in the northern part of the United States have to pay to go practice at an ice rink or arena. People in Canada and in Russia, they have frozen ponds and things that they can practice on at anytime of the day free of charge. Also, I don't know of to many high schools through out America that have a hockey team. Sure there are a few that do in the highly crazy hockey states, like Minnesota. But it is a lot easier and a lot cheaper to play football or basketball in high school then even try to play hockey.

I think it is time for bed.

College Hoops!

Alright, fine, you win Windsor. I am addicted to blogging. I have no idea why, maybe it is because I am so close to finishing this thing. Actually, it's because I don't want to do my homework, my chemistry homework, and its probably why I have a low grade in the class.

That isn't what I am here to blog about, I am here to blog about college hoops, as you could easily guess if you read my title. Well, I am not a very big basketball player, for crying out loud I wrestled for the last six years of my life, but I must give props to college basketball, they have me hooked. Almost all college sports are awesome, except track and cross country, running is by far the most boring thing you could watch. Back to the court.

I never really pay attention to college basketball until March and then I hop on the March Madness ban wagon for about three to four weeks. I do sit down and make my predictions and talk it over with myself first, then with others. I look up stats, watch ESPN, read some predictions and try to come up with the ultimate bracket. This year I figure I should hop on to the wagon a little bit earlier then usually so when March comes around I can make some better predictions, like Bucknell upsetting Kansas. I should have saw that one coming, had I noticed how horrible the Big 12 was playing.

In college basketball, I have to give the ACC the place to look for strength. Seeing that the ACC has had a hand in the Final Four for quite some time now and I hardly doubt that they will be leaving anytime soon, seeing that Duke is currently ranked number 1 in the nation.

The season has started and I think it is time to switch over to another great college sport, seeing that the people at ESPN refuse to show any college wrestling. But don't think I would watch a regular season basketball game over a college football game, bowl game or not. Not in this life or the next!

Comments

"Geewiz. You don't have to get all uppity. I did not say "your blog sucks" becuase I just wouldn't say that to someone. I just said that I didn't read it that often because I just can't get into the sports that you like to talk about. You are free to have your own opinions. Don't worry, I won't think less of you. Heck, if we had a better football or basketball team, I would probably like those sports too. Goodness gracious. And my name is Given. Thanks though. It was interesting."
-Bridget Given

Well, I have no idea why I am continuing to pursue this conversation anymore, but what the heck it gives me something to write about. Not to mention it is some what fun, okay a whole lot of fun, to sit here and make fun of Bridget. I mean what the heck else am I suppose to do, talk about hockey for another six blogs. Not in this life. But I must say that I am possibly looking into writing some blogs on college hoops, just for you to be aware.

Bridget took much pride in telling me that she posted a comment for me and that she didn't say that my blog sucked. Alright, I can give her that just off the fact that I do have a tendency to blow some things out of proportion. The kicker is that she says she would never say that something sucked. Need I remind you that this is also the girl who told a teacher that his classed sucked and that it was pointless. That one I know I have witnesses to back me up. The fact alone that she would sit here and tell a teacher that his class sucks and then not tell me that my blogs suck is some what...unreal. I mean what is going to stop her from telling me that.

Well, lets move on to the lighter side of things. Christmas is coming! As today is the first I guess we should take a few seconds to expound on what this month means. I get to see my family, my girlfriend, and stay up hours on end playing some college football on an Xbox. Not to mention my brothers got the new 2006 NCAA College Football for it, so that makes my holiday season just sound exciting.

What the heck, while we are talking about December and Christmas and everything, we might as well talk about College Bowl week. Only the greatest week of the year. You have non-stop bowl action for an entire week and then you get to sit back, relax and enjoy Christmas with your family. I think bowl week is just a very good thing in general and I think whoever decided to have bowl week when they do is a genius. What else are us guys suppose to do while all the girls are running around shopping? Go with them, yea right.(sadly, I think I might end up missing a few games because I will be shopping with a girl) I mean I am starting to think that this was all inspired by a man with a plan. Well, everything is and was inspired by a man with a plan but I don't think God had much of a hand in College Bowl Week.

My advice to everyone who doesn't like college football, or who thinks football isn't that great to sit down and watch one game this year, well make it two. BYU in the Las Vegas, December 22, that is a given, no brainer one that is in the middle of bowl week. The other is actually in January and is looking to be a promising game. January 4, the Rose Bowl. USC vs. Texas. That game will blow your shorts off and if you sit and watch it I know that all you would be able to do after is sit and say that you love football and you can't wait till next September to come around.

Hockey

Hockey, what to talk about? Well, if your Professor Windsor, you see this as me trying to get on Bridget's good side. In all honestly, it doesn't matter, I have a girlfriend, so what would happen if Bridget got on my bad side? Nothing, because I really don't care what she thinks. This is more to prove a point that I can talk about almost any sport with some sort of knowledge about it. Sure the hockey season just got under way and I just breezed through the hockey page put on by ESPN. I did take some time to read an article about football and things like that.(http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=2241116)

Hockey, hockey, hockey, hockey, hockey, hockey....something is going to hit me here soon. Alright enough joking around lets get serious. Hockey, it is like basketball on ice with an added man to defend the basket. In all reality, the reason I don't talk about it is because I am from New Mexico, it is a freakin desert there so what and why would we have anything to do with hockey. But back to the analogy I started.

Imagine, Emeka Okafor or Shaq, even better Kevin Garnett sitting in front of the basket the entire game. When anyone shot the ball swat, get out of this house. Throw a little checking, or arm tackling, and ice and you got yourself some hockey. I give props to hockey players just because of their ability to skate in both directions, stop on a dime, and do it with a stick in their hand. Then some guy checking you or hitting with his stick and you have a violent sport.

When it comes to hockey teams, I must pick the Colorado Avalanche. They are a fairly good team, they had Patrick Roy, still have Joe Sakic, and I think Peter Foresberg. They are some players come in and out that were really good.

A sport that I must give some credit to is lacrosse, but that is another blog, on another day.

Burn

I got a comment yesterday about my blogs. Not a comment written on here why would the girl want to do that. She likes to cut people to the core. Yes Bridget Given, if you are reading this I am going to blog about you and your comment yesterday.

Sports- personally to call yourself a true sports fan you must make a connection to every sport, some how , some way. I like football and if I have to sit here and right 50 blogs about soccer I wouldn't have a lot to say. It would be 14 minutes of me asking you questions about the sport. Yes, I have been to soccer games and I know what the game is all about, I have an ex-girlfriend who use to play soccer. I now the positions and all that junk but if some one could tell me the offense and defensive scheme that would be great. It is the weirdest thing, I mean people run around and kick the ball. Why don't they pick it up and throw it down field.

Whatever, soccer is cool, nothing against soccer because it is a cool sport and I give soccer it props, because with out it we wouldn't have football. But I didn't plan on going off about soccer and what it is. Soccer is cool. I guess I should start with Bridget's comment and then go from there.

"You always blog about sports, right Eric?"-Bridget
"Yea, why?"-Eric
"Well, your blogs suck because they aren't all that interesting when you talk about football all the time. I mean you should blog about important sports, like hockey."- Bridget

Well, important sports... Football, basketball, and I might give third to baseball, but hockey. I enjoy watching hockey and I like to talk about it occasionally. I have a cousin who plays hockey and I go and watch his games when I am up in Colorado. I have nothing against hockey but it just doesn't appeal to the entire Nation like my big three. For crying out load, hockey just had an entire season hold out and you didn't see anyone flipping out and getting ready to kill themselves. Sure we were a little sad but we weren't going to lose sleep over it. I just can't wait to see what happens when the NCAA announces that they will no longer host the NCAA basketball tournament (also known as March Madness) at the end of the year, or what would happen if the NFL decided to lose the Superbowl and ditch the playoffs altogether. I would also love to see people when the NCAA says that football is no longer allowed to be played at the college level. There would be a riot, an uproar. The Nation as we know it would completely change. I would expect to have the Second Coming when this happens because people would be killing people because college football was done away with.

But yet, Hockey is more important then football. Well don't worry Bridget, just for you I will spend some time to night reading up on all the latest hockey news, watch some ESPN, and write a few blogs about hockey.

Early to rise!

The do say that the early bird gets the worm. Well, I am up early believe it or not. I think that this is the first blog that I have written before I went to school. I use to wake up a little early and then rush to get dressed and everything and make it to class like 5 minutes late. That was in October I think. Now I wake up an hour before class and take a shower get dressed and leave. No breakfast or anything. Today I have time for breakfast and then some.

This entire two week thing is starting to get to me. But I have to take it one day at a time or else I am going to get screwed. I think that is a very important concept, taking things one at a time. Not trying to do a billion things at once but spending time to do one thing and only that one thing, and when you are done, move on to the next item.

I am hoping today is a successful day. I have Chemistry and Book of Mormon today. I also have devotional and work. I need to work on research proposal three today and also my chemistry homework. I need to get started on my Doctrine and Covenants paper sometime today or tomorrow. Today would be better so I can spend some time working on it and rereading it and revising it.

All I know is that I need to stay focused on what I am doing and make sure that I get as much as I can done and also go to bed at a decent time. That way I can do this same thing tomorrow and then what do you know. I only have like 7 more blogs to write. I have been thinking about this. What am I going to do with this blogger account after I get some with it for English? I think I might continue to write, not as often but maybe a posting once or twice a week just so everyone can know what I am up to. It is also a good journal but not. I think in this I can be more myself then a journal. In a journal I feel like I have to tell everything that I did that day and why I did it. In this I can just write whatever I feel like and then walk away and not even have a second thought about it. I must say that sometimes I do thin about what I am going to write before hand though. I think it helps me fully think about what I am going to say before I say it.

Well boys and girls, it was nice chatting with you this morning. I hope that you all have a great day and remember, it is a beautiful day, your still alive, and Jesus loves you.

Gameday-take two

I had this blog written up and it was really well written and somehow it disappeared. I have no idea why or what the problem is or was but it was just being really weird and stupid. Now, I am left with reproducing another blog that sounds just as good.

Well, Gameday...It has come and gone and all of a sudden what do you know, college football has come to an end. It is rather sad, all we have left is some bowl games all through out December and the National Title game.

As much as I going to miss college football, that isn't what I meant when I came up with the title for this blog. I am actually talking about the last few weeks here at college. I can hardly believe that this semester has already come and gone. I remember when I came here by myself trying to find my way around in a city that I had never been in. Then, finding out that my roommate was one of three return missionaries in my ward. Then the first day of school, the first weekend, a lot of good memories have come from being here at college.

It will be sad to see some of the guys here on my floor not return next semester as they prepare for their mission. But in the end it will all be okay, we will all see each other in the end, and we can even sing a hymn to help us remember, "God Be With You Till We Meet Again."

I really didn't mean to go off on that, all I want to say is that it is time to prepare for finals. It is time to get ready to rumble and to show what we have learned this semester. IT'S GAMEDAY BABY!!!!! So, you better get ready, you better prepare yourself for the hardest thing yet this year. Not really, surviving is the hardest thing as freshmen, if you can survive your first semester as a Freshmen, you can easily go all the way. It is time, time to pump your self up and get ready for the big day!!!

Lets go team!!!!

What I missed.

So, I said that before the BYU/Utah game I would talk about some of the games that would be played around that nation. I am sorry to have failed the blogging nation and to both follow through for my audience but I become very busy and lazy at the same time. To make it up to you I thought I would leave some final remarks on this years season and maybe tell you of what we have to look forward to.

I want everyone to know that what I said about Kyle Whittingham and Utah still holds true. Sure you won a game. BIG FREAKIN DEAL! Doesn't mean anything. It doesn't make Whittingham the better coach, just the one with the bigger trash talking team. For any team to come back from a 21 point deficit and almost beat you, says something about how crappy of a coach you are. BYU didn't play the first half end of story.

I think the second half showed you of what we have for the years to come. Not BYU coming from behind, but more like, BYU outscoring Utah and also two teams go head to head and play some great football. The BYU/Utah game was everything that a rivalry game should be. Intense, having everyone sitting on the edge of their seat, just waiting and waiting to see what team is going to make the biggest mistake or what team isn't going to pull through.

I made a statement when I made this beat a few weeks ago. Mendenhall doesn't make the same mistake twice. Well, I am sure that he will make sure that his team can handle their emotions a little bit better next time around and what the heck I will say it now. BYU will beat Utah next season. It is just a known fact.

Speaking of things to look forward this season. One BYU playing in the Las Vegas Bowl and two, Texas and USC playing for the national title in January.

Asthenia

Somewhere I heard that asthenia is a something astronauts get. I guess it is a feeling of not wanting to go home after being in space for so long. They say that the astronaut sees earth as a bad place and doesn't want to go back and fears going back. Well, if asthenia is really what it is called, then that is what I am feeling.

I have no real explanation for it other then I don't want to go home for Christmas. I fear going home and I just want to stay up here and be lonely all by myself. Even for Thanksgiving I had the same feelings.

I went to my Aunts in Salt Lake instead of going home for Thanksgiving. I was somewhat joyous not going home. I have nothing there that I fear other then being there. So, I guess why don't
I want to go home?

I know that it is Christmas and all but I really don't feel in the Christmas mood. I never had and probably never will. Don't get me wrong, Christmas is a very good thing. We get to celebrate the birth of Christ and everything. That is a good thing, but the worldly part of it just sucks. The whole idea that Christmas is about gifts and about how much you spend on people related to you to show them how much you care is a bunch of crap.

Next my dad is leaving a few days out of town with my step mom and step brothers and sisters to Wisconsin to see my grandma. I thought about going but then, having to travel all of these days to only see my family for a few hours just didn't sound appealing to me.

What does sound appealing to me is really food. I don't even think I remember what it taste like. Thanksgiving just came all at once for one day. I would be home all by myself for like two weeks and be able to make myself a real breakfast every morning just sounds like a lot of fun.

The only reason I am really going home is to spend time with my girlfriend. That would be the greatest thing in the world. To bad that she will have a lot of her own family home so she will be pretty busy with them. That is okay, I will still get to she her and hang out with her.

Maybe after all, Christmas isn't so bad. I still don't want to go home, because that means I have to turn around and leave everyone again.

A really big fear!

I have a lot of fears. I actually think I am going to write a few different blogs about fears but one that is really eating at me right now is writing.

I have no idea why I have a fear of writing, I never have had this fear or anything close to it. I have had experiences like it but nothing this close. I guess I should explain to you what needs to happen for me in the next week or so.

First, I have to finish writing all of my blogs. I think I have ten or so left, I haven't really been keeping track of how many I have, just that I need to keep on them. These really don't bug me at all. It is only writing for fourteen minutes so nothing major.

I have a research paper that I am working on that is due in about a week or so maybe even longer. In the past I have had a hard time finding the write thing to write about and a little bit of fear of how well I did on the paper. This research paper has me in a little different mood. I am flipping out about everything about. I don't even know where to start with it. It has me in such a fear of how bad it is going to be that I can't even write it. I can't sit down and work on it. I spent the last hour on my computer just looking around at things, doing everything I can to avoid writing this paper. The sad thing is that I haven't even wrote the paper yet. I am still working on the proposals for it.

The last thing, which I really shouldn't say because there are a few other things that I need to write, but the other thing that is got me going crazy is the paper for Doctrine and Covenants. Now, we are suppose to pick a gospel principle and expound on it and discuss it in our papers. I can't even pick a topic so researching and finding things to write about is out of the picture all together for right now.

All I know is that right now I have a serious case of writers block and it is not going away. Maybe this is why college is so hard. Teachers make you freak out about things and then you become so worried about how well things turn out you can't even function properly. I don't know, I just wish that I could just write and get all of these things done.

What BYU needs to do!

As I have gotten time this week, I have read a few articles in the "The Rivalry" edition thing. All I really want to say is that the people from the University of Utah need to think before they talk. I read an article written by Patrick Muir, the Chronicle Assistant News Editor. He is talking about how he converted to Utahism. Which for one, doesn't make sense in any way since we all live in Utah and we are all Utahans. So, he first needs to come up with a new title.

Then the guy goes on to complain about how people treated him differently for going to University of Utah. Oh, bless his poor little soul, people teased him about the university that he attended. My guess, he couldn't get into BYU. You know the thing that probably upsets me the most is how the guy claims he want on a mission and is so humble about it and uses it as a lever, like "I am going to be the next prophet because I served a mission." The guy shouldn't give himself so much credit.

Also, he talks about his issues with the honor code. And how, he won't directly admit it but, "I can't follow it so I won't support." I mean the prophet of the Lord approved it and most likely instated it to this university, so Patrick get off your little I am an RM to good to follow the rules high horse and get over the fact that BYU is better then the U of U in more ways then one. Also, if he is the Assistant Editor, I would hate to hear what the rest of the staff their writers. Is it full of this much BS?

So, to things that really. All of this week I have spent time talking about how Utah is in the worst position in the world to win this game. In all reality, BYU is. They have the most pressure to win this game, they are expected to win this game. But can BYU pull through under this pressure? Yes, they can and they will.

First off, it starts at the head of the ship, Bronco Mendenhall. A man of character, a man of discipline, and a man of leadership. This man is one of the two reasons why BYU is as good as they are this year. The other being Robert Anae. BYU has always had the talent to win but lacked discipline, lacked focus, lacked trust, lacked leadership. Also, Mendenhall is a man of defense. As we have seen in the past few weeks his defense has been stellar except a few blown plays for huge gains. Most of BYU's opponents scoring has come on special teams. So, needless to say anymore, Mendenhall has really changed things for the better and depending on how well he can recruit then that will determine how well his teams are in the future.

Next, John Beck, a very smart quarter back with a rocket attached to his shoulder. All Beck needs to do this game is not throw an interception, which at this point of the season will be hard for him to do. As long as he completes his passes and moves the ball like he knows how to. Spread the field out and give the ball to every receiver out there, Utah's defense will be looking like a book that Beck is reading.

I could sit here and make a list of the rest of the BYU's offense but we could be here all day. Just know that every player that steps on the field for BYU's offense will be used as some sort of weapon. BYU's offense will have their way with this defense just like they have with every other team for the last 5 games. They need to control the ball as much as possible, and get the time of possession in their favor. Limit turnovers and what do you know, we have a win, a big win.

One other thing, Curtis Brown and Fahu Tahi are a deadly combination so they should be used a lot. All of BYU's backfield are deadly weapons because they all work hard out their on the field and it shows. The offense needs to play hard, that is all, and Robert Anae will make sure that they score.

BYU's defense, as said before has played well these last few weeks. They do allow a lot of yards, but they don't allow a lot of scoring. Utah struggled against UNM's 3-3-5 defense, which we run, but they run theirs a little different. Mendenhall knows what to do against Utah. Also, this defense won't let another back-up quarterback come in and cause havoc for them. BYU learns from mistakes and they will prepare as needed for this game against a quarterback who has only thrown the ball a few times. Expect Mendenhall to attack this quarterback with a lot of different players. BYU's defense is on a role with their turnovers and they are looking to get some more this weekend.

BYU has this game in hand. All they need to do is play hard and play like they have been taught and use and remember what they have been taught. Seeing tomorrow I will say some final words about it and not dwell to much on it. I would like to say now, GO COUGARS!!!!!!

Professor Windsor, this is another two in one combo.

Utah, what can they do?

Alright, I want to set some things straight here. I read an article today saying that Kyle Whittingham, Utah's head coach, is better then Bronco Mendenhall. Now, Matt Patton, the man who wrote the article said some very interesting things, but still needs to think before he talks. Now, we all know Utah lost their prized possession in Alex Smith, and their beloved head coach Urban Meyer. If Whittingham was such a great coach then why isn't Utah sitting on top of the Mountain West instead of on the bottom. Great coaches find ways to win! Am I not right? JoePa, one of the greatest head coaches of all times shows that, Urban Meyer may have dropped a few games this year but things are looking on the up and up in Gainesville, Steve Spurrier shows it the best. He wins close games, and he got a team not so great looking compared to his SEC opponents.

So, why is Whittingham's team at 5-5 right now? Oh wait let me guess, is it because they can't put it in from the one? That can't be it, no way the coach is to great to let his team lose a game for something like that. How about, not being able to finish off an opponent? TCU and UNM sure appreciate that fact. Neither of those can be it, because Whitttingham would never let his teams lose like that, he is to good, he is better then Mendenhall who only let his team lose one game that they had won. Oh, I got it, I nailed it down, it was the fact that he returned a solid defense core from last year. I mean his defense isn't showing up, that is it, it has to be. I mean they are the reason why Utah has 22 turnovers in 10 games. Maybe it is why they also have had 73 penalties this season averaging to 61.2 yards per game. Oh, wait, I forgot that defense forces the turnovers, they don't give the ball away, that is the offense. Whittingham is obviously the better coach.

One question remains in the back of my mind, just one. I know Mendenhall hasn't stayed anywhere longer then 5 years, but some how became the assistant head coach at UNM after 3 years and then in what, two years here became the head coach. If Whittingham is so good and so loyal to Utah, I mean he has been there for 12 years as the Defensive Coordinator, why didn't they hire Whittingham two years ago instead of going out and getting Urban Meyer? Oh wait, I forgot Whittingham is the better coach and has been for years, excuse me, let me not forget where I stand.

Now, to the more important things, the things that really matter. The stats, let us face some facts really quick. Utah will be starting a quarterback who has seen very little playing time this season, so sad to hear. I said a very untrue statement in one of my earlier blogs. Utah may spread their team out on the field well, but they don't run a true spread offense, maybe it is their head coaches decision, but moving on from that, they have ran the ball 415 times this season compared to a mere 338 passes. That is a little under a hundred plays difference. So, they do rely more on the run already, so expect the same come Saturday, even more so now.

They do seem to put up some nice numbers, 463.5 yards per game, but only average 28.1. Their opponent's seem to however average about 361 yards per game, but some how manage to score on average 24.5 points per game. Only a difference of four points mind you.

Utah seems to play well in the middle of the game, outscoring opponents 115 to 66 in the second quarter and 92 to 51 in the third quarter. Sadly they only out score opponents by one point, 45-44 in the first, and if a team has a shot of a comeback, the fourth would be the best time to do it. Whittingham allows his team to be out scored, 78-26 in the fourth. It doesn't seem to be much, but say the score is 24-28, Utah up in the fourth, oh what will Whittingham do then? Prevent a comeback? Not this time around, they haven't done it all season, so why start now?

Next thing, other determining factors, 73 penalties in 10 games, not acceptable. 24 fumbles, 14 lost, and 8 interceptions, not much better. A conversion rate of 41% on 3rd down, not acceptable, and having to punt on average, 5.2 times a game,lets make it an even 5.

Utah, what does Utah have? An offense that struggled against UNM's 3-3-5 defense, which BYU runs. In all reality, Utah has a good defense. That is it, nothing more. They turn the ball over to many times, their offense can't move the ball efficiently, they have no quarterback, or even an offensive star that will truly take care of business like they need him to. All Utah can pray for is their defense to force turnovers and take them into the endzone alone, other then that, it is not looking good. As much as I want to say this game is looking like it might be a great game, it might not be this year. BYU still has to take care of business and bring their A game to this game but Utah, you might as well start praying and hope that the bubble over here at BYU doesn't pop yours. BCS crashers? Oh, wait that was with a coach who didn't stick around for more then a few years either.

Oh, by the way, Professor Windsor, this is two blogs.

BYU vs. Utah

As promised here is the article you all want to read. This is going to be very brief seeing that I only have 14 minutes to write this but I just want to say a few things about this weekends game and how these two teams match-up.

I must say, I know that Utah wasn't going to be as good as they were last year, it was a given. A new coach, new quarterback, new season. So, them going undefeated this season was not going to happen. Did I expect them to lose some of the games they did? No, it actually shows you how far they have gone back since last season. The lost against Colorado State was pathetic. I am sorry but to lose like that is horrible. I mean they were sitting on the one. They couldn't put it in from the one, from the ONE for crying out loud. The play calling was horrible too, three plays right up the middle??? You have to do better then that.

As the season has gone on they have had problems of their own. Just this past weekend they lost their quarterback and number one wide receiver, I believe. In a spread offense like Utah's, don't expect a new quarterback to move the ball as efficient as they did last week.

BYU... Almost the same story, but didn't end last year on such a good note. Instead BYU's head coach got fired and football players were put on trial for a rape incident. So, we have a first year head coach and one of the youngest in college football. BYU, on the other hand hasn't had some of the big let downs like Utah has. Sure they fell apart against TCU and SDSU pounded them, but since then, BYU hasn't looked back. They haven't been inconsistent, except on how their defense is going to prevent the opposing offense from scoring. They aren't plagued with injuries, and I actually think this is the healthiest the BYU team has been all season long.

These are two first year head coaches going at it. Spread offenses that will throw the ball, but lately have found success in the run. Defense does just enough to win. I think the one person that is going to set things apart in this match-up. BYU offensive coordinator, Robert Anae. This man has perfected the spread offense, where he learned it from Texas Tech who scores on average 40 or more points. Utah hasn't seen that number very often this season, and BYU has seen a little above that quite a few times.

Writing

Well, you might have already heard this numerous times before, but I will say it again. I hate writing. I know that for a brief moment, and I do mean brief, as in a week, that I enjoyed writing and I thought that I was a really great writer. I felt that I was very effective at saying what I wanted to get across, I thought that my writing didn't need explaining, that things just all feel into place.

Seeing some of the things written on my personal essay, I wouldn't think so. Looking at some of the responses to my blogs, and even reading some of my blogs, I can't help but sit back and say that writing and I do not get a long well. I suck at writing.

Now, before college I wouldn't spend more then a few hours on writing so I understood why I sucked so bad. I didn't even try, I didn't even put a full whole hearted effort in it. In college, I must say that I don't think that I ever cared more about an English paper in my life. Windsor, I don't want you to sit here and think bad about my grade, your comments make sense and they explain why I got the grade I got. I am just an ineffective writer. I have a hard time putting my thoughts down on a piece of paper and making them make sense.

So, if anyone out there would like to give me a few hints or some ideas on how to write a little more effective, ways to better present my case or my thoughts I should say, I want to hear them. I know that there are many of you out there that read these blogs on a regular bases, maybe not, but even if you don't, I am sure that you can point out a few hints. I am sure that you could give me a few helpful pointers.

Now, that I got that out, this is what this week looks like. We have four days before Saturdays game between Utah and BYU. Seeing that it is the end of the season we have some stats compiled, we know how teams can do and what they are capable. So, everyday this week we will talk about this game coming up. Tomorrow, the way the teams match up. Wednesday, the things Utah has against BYU and the way they can stop them. Thursday, the weapons BYU has and the ways they can use them to their benefit. Friday, just a quick overview and then we will hit on some other good College Football Match ups this week. So stay tuned and keep reading because this weekend has a lot in store, especially a round thing with a hole in the middle on the line, also known as a donut.

Can you spell DONUT!!!

Okay, I am not going to waste to much time getting to what I want to talk about. That is I have just won a beat. Sure I have to wait until BYU beats Utah but why should I wait until then to proclaim this great message.

Alright, I just needed to say that to get it off my chest. As everyone knows by now, BYU won 35-21 yesterday, beating Wyoming in Laramie, the most dreaded place in the world. Utah lost this weekend to New Mexico, 31-27. So, I am feeling pretty confident about this weekend and the bet on the line.

I must say that I was a little bit worried and still am. BYU still has to take care of business and these teams are pretty evenly matched. They both like the spread offense and there offenses can do a really good job on moving the ball. So, we will have to wait till a little later this week before I start to talk about this game more in depth. Just know that I still have BYU winning this game by a fairly good margin and me getting a donut.

Other unofficial business, I guess I would like to quickly talk about some uspets this weekend. LSU vs. Alabama, Georgia vs. Auburn, Clemson vs. Florida State, and I think there was one more. Oh Wisconsin vs. Iowa. This is what college football is all about. You don't ever see this in the NFL. It was Senior day at a lot of schools and so a lot of teams played hard. But in general you never see a college team not give up a chance for an upset. Utah is looking for one this weekend. Texas and USC are making sure that they are prepared in every way to make sure they don't give up an upset. That is the last thing that they want to happen. So, if any of you were wondering why I love college football, this is why. My advice is to go to espn.com and click on the college football link. Just read some of those stories and you will see what I mean.

The Game Plan!

As promised I said that I would write some stuff up about the things BYU will need to do this weekend to win against Wyoming. Now, I know this stuff sounds really basic and broad but it is still very, very important things that they need to do to insure a win.

I think their number one focus should be on special teams. Special teams can help you win and lose a game in a number of ways, field position, turnovers, and also momentum. These ususally come all in one but sometimes they don't As we saw a few weeks ago BYU could have lost the game to Air Force when we had the costly turnover on special teams that gave Air Force great field position and a lot of momentum. If BYU's offense had not been able to come out and take care of business on the ensuing drive, BYU would have been looking at another BYU/TCU game. So, BYU needs to avoid the turnovers against Wyoming and not allow for big returns on kickoffs and punts. Also, special teams need to make sure that they are all their and not miss extra points or small things like that.

Two- Defense needs to avoid allowing big passing plays. We all know Mendenhall likes to put 8 or so guys in the box but he needs to make sure that he gives his defensive backs a shot at making a big play. Wyoming does like to pass, more so then they like to rush so preventing big plays and making tackles to stop the yards after catch will be key. Mendenhall can have a very aggressive play calling system against Wyoming but if it doesn't work, they need to adjust it to make it work.

Third- Offense, what else is there to touch on. BYU needs to spread the ball out and give the ball to everyone, Watkins, Colle, Harline, Coats, Mileke, Brown, Tahi, you name them they need to touch the ball. They need to spread the ball out, like Utah did in their big win over Wyoming. They can have success on the ground seeing that Wyoming allows an average of 154 rushing yards per game.(3.5 per carry) Each player needs to do his part in the offense and BYU will be able to out score Wyoming very easily and of course win. Meaning, I am one game away from getting a donut.

Two more games!!!!

I am a little upset because I just wrote this really good blog about the last two games for BYU and how they look for winning them. I then went to post it and it just disappeared. No where to be found, no where to be seen. So, I am hoping that this blog sounds some what good compared to my last one.

So, as we all know, BYU has two more scheduled games this season, and the reason why I say scheduled is because BYU will be going to a bowl game this year but where and when isn't scheduled yet. The last two schedule games are Wyoming and Utah. Now Utah is two weeks away and just a little two far out of the way to worry about. But before we get to talk about the match ups for these next two weeks, lets focus on everything up till now.

Things are going a lot better then I planned. Wyoming and New Mexico have just fallen apart this season. Wyoming losing some games that they shouldn't have, like the Utah game, and New Mexico not being able to close down some big games like they should have. I personally thought Rocky Long had solved those problems but I guess he still hasn't learned how to put an opponents away. Meanwhile, we are tied with Colorado State in the Mountain West Conference and we aren't even tied, we beat CSU so we get the tie breaker, so we are in second place behind the Mountain West Champs, TCU. This basically means that we have to take care of business and make sure to win our last two games and here we come bowl bid.

Wyoming- I said that this was our make or break game. Well it still is but some how Utah has me a little worried but they still aren't in a very good position to beat us. Wyoming has fallend apart. Losing to New Mexico and TCU in Laramie. UNM by a score of 27-24 and TCU by 28-14. We did beat UNM by three and we only lost to TCU by 14 after leading the entire game. They also lost to CSU and Utah on the road. One we have beaten, CSU, and the other we have yet to play. The other two teams that they have played that helps us to feel fairly well about this is Air Force and UNLV. Wyoming did win both games but they didn't do it like we did, not with as much power or control. So we should feel comfortable heading into this weekend. Check this thing out later today to see the keys that BYU will need to win the game.

Pomps.

I would like to take the next fourteen minutes and write about someone very dear to me. His name is Pomps, well not really, that is what all of his grandkids call him. His really name is Alfred Baca Black. I proudly have his first name as my middle name. Yes, he is my grandpa and a very great man.

One of you that reads this might know him personally, but other then that what I tell you here is all that you know about him.

He is sadly dying from failing lungs, a problem that he has been dealing with for several years now. Although my grandpa never joined the church he still was a devote Christian who went to church every Sunday with his wife, Florence. He might not have been the tallest man I know but standing next to him usually made me feel rather small. He had a heart like no other and would go out of his way to help others, most of all his family. He enjoyed spending time with his grandchildren even when the broke things on his tractor. His heart is what has kept him alive for so long. Besides that he had a work ethic like no one else I knew. He would push himself to the extremes, something that caused problems for him with his lungs being in the shape they were. He had a sense of humor and always knew how to take a good joke.

I don't think I could ever learn as much as he knows. He could show me how to tie a knot, speak Spanish, and cook. He know a lot and probably the greatest advice that he gave me was do what you want. He told me to always do what made me happy. He knew how to manage his time and his money well. He wasn't one to sit around and do nothing.

I am sad that I could explain to you any better about him but if you have some time and would like to hear some stories about him, go ahead and ask me. I would just like to say that he is a great man and I hope that everyone could have a grandpa like my Pomps.

I am back and better then ever!

Why, hello everyone!! How are we all doing today? Well, I would like to take a few minutes to talk some crap.

Windsor, I would just like you to know that you will owe me a donut rather quickly. If it makes you feel any better I will let you go to Sugar and Spice and get two for one (which starts at about 6:30 or so every night) that way you can enjoy one to. Now, I am sure that you think that I am talking out of turn but then again that is why I made this bet. So, I can talk crap in my blog. Seeing that Wyoming sucked it up pretty bad against Colorado State, I don't care if we are playing underwater with out proper breathing equipment, we are still going to spank Wyoming. Here we come bowl season. We are going to a bowl you know.

Next, I would like to take a few minutes and talk about the Chicago White Sox's. I had you picked to win the World Series all along, but I thought that you would be able to beat up on the Braves instead of the Astro's. You all can see how wrong I was on that. The thing that really bugs me in this series was all the complaining about the officiating. Honestly people, shut the heck up if you have nothing to write about. The Astro's were getting it handed to them, so instead of writing how bad they really are lets complain about the ump. Well, let me just say this. Chicago led the MLB the entire season, from day one, it isn't like all of a sudden they came out of no where and won the World Series. They won 5o, one run games(give or take a few),they win close games and they are obviously the best team in baseball this year.

This brings me to another really good point and something that has bugged me for some time now. Nothing against the Daily Universe, I mean it is a bunch of college students doing their best. But, whoever writes the sports columns, I hope that isn't what you plan on doing for the rest of your life. How do I break it to you easy? You suck, don't quit your day job, and if this is your day job, I hope you plan on getting another one. I know I am not a great writer but I am not writing for some 30,000 people to read. The only person that reads my blogs to my knowledge is a few friends, my mom, and my teacher, maybe a whole ten people. But I will say this about your articles, girls usually don't read sports. Guys do, so give us some stats and some thing that matters and don't try explaining to us what a quarterback job is.(Daily Universe edition, homecoming week a day or two before the game)

Professor Windsor, I had a question. Do you think I should write sports articles and maybe submit them to the Daily Universe for printing maybe? What do you think? Out of my league, I thought so to.

Grow up!!

Okay, as many of might know we are having some problems ion our Student Development class, with lets day the students. Now, I know that Student Development isn't the greatest, most exciting, class ever. It is rather boring and dull, and I could think of a lot better things to do with that 50 minutes. I could organize my music, create my facebook account, write more blogs on sports, and maybe do my homework. But that is besides the point. It is class that we signed up for and now, just have to deal with having.

We are all in college, not to mention here at Brigham Young University. We all must have had some sort of maturity to get in here. We had to get approvals from quite a few different people, write essays, and a few other things to get in here. So, here we are at BYU and we can't act are age. I mean we can't shut out mouths long enough for our teachers to start class. Lets all just grow up. All of us are at least 17 if not older, you mean to tell me that you can't shut your mouth long enough to allow people to teach you something. I taught a primary class this summer and I could except them to not be quite and to make some comments here and there. They were six and seven year olds. Here I am at a college, ten years older then them and I can't believe that I am seeing the same attitude out of college kids.

Now, if this was UNM, a university were I am from, that doesn't even require a high school diploma, I would understand. But this is BYU, were almost 95% of us our members, probably more. I actually fear for the church right now. Imagine what a discussion would be like from a pair of missionaries from this class. They can't sit still, can't pay attention, can't shut their mouth while their companion is bearing their testimony. Oh wait that is different. Why? When dealing with church things it is different. Well, how much of the tithing in the church goes to this university? We start with a prayer in class and a hymn? What is so different? We are at a school where secular and non-secular things are taught at the same time, hand in hand. There is almost no difference at all from class then a Sunday school, except the fact that we aren't focused on Christ as much. I just think everyone needs to grow up, so GROW UP!!1

Who is in!

So the only person that got in on the bet is Professor Windsor. He is the only one that sent me an email or at least talked to me about it before the CSU game. So, I guess Windsor, you might be getting some Krispy Kreme Donuts all to yourself, NOT!!!! BYU is so going to pull through for me. You know they will. GO COUGARS!!!!

Loyalty!

I would like to take the time to thank all of you who read this on purpose or on accident. I appreciate the fan support, because really, this the only reason why I write the things I do, to hopefully entertain most of you and help you to have a good few laughs in your everyday life.

I was told that I seem like a sports writer in some of my past blogs. Well, I am nothing close to that but I do like to write about sports and to talk about them. Seeing that we won(BYU football team) this weekend, I thought I would write some thoughts on the game and also fan loyalty.

I am not a die hard fan, I don't sit and watch every moment of a game, I don't know all of the players names by heart. For crying out loud, I haven't even been to a BYU home game. Every! I don't know all of the coaches on the coaching staff and if you were to ask me about a football game that BYU won during LaVell Edwards time I wouldn't be able to tell you a lick about. I wouldn't even be surprised if I spelt his name wrong. But this much I can tell you, I do know a little bit about loyalty to my team. I would have to say that BYU is my favorite college football team.

It disturbs me that when BYU dropped a few games early in the season, people started to find a new team to follow or to quit following college football games altogether. Also, they came up with some nice jokes that included BYU not being able to beat anyone or how we can't seem to finish anyone off. Now, I know that it is human nature to ditch something bad, but where is the loyalty in this. BYU is still in the hunt for a .500 season, which hasn't happened in a few years, 2nd place in the Mountain West Conference, which hasn't happened in a while, and beating our biggest rival, Utah.

Lets quickly take some time to talk about this years BYU team and what possible lies in store for us fans and of course the team itself.

BYU currently has a 1-2 record in conference play, not great but not horrible. They are actually tied for 4th with four other teams. UNM, Utah, UNLV, and SDSU. So, what does this mean? 4th isn't 2nd like I said and no where near close to 1st. We really need to dig deep into some stats to get what all of this means.

All of these teams hold a 1-2 record also, one lose cause them to drop to 5th and any more then that your just out of the hunt. The Mountain West Conference always seems to come down to the last game of the season before they can really say who is number one. Why? The team leading in 1st usually has a lost and are closely followed behind by a team with one more lose then them. So, they must win there game to take the conference. If it is that hard for 1st, how do you think 2nd is? I believe last year, going into the last game of the season, three teams were tied for 2nd in the MWC(Mountain West Conference). In other words BYU is still in the hunt and is in the position to get 2nd in the conference.

TCU surprised everyone and will take the conference this year unless they start to struggle and fall apart. Speaking of TCU lets talk about that BYU game. I know BYU blew a lead that they had the entire game and lost by a point in overtime due to a bad snap. TCU, is a come from behind team, they did it to Utah the week before they played us so it was nothing new to them. Our defense was in a world of hurt, being very shallow on the depth chart and also having played almost over a 100 plays on the field, which is a lot for any team.

This past weekend we beat UNM, giving us our first victory in conference play. This game should us a lot. Lets visit last years BYU/UNM game to understand this. Anyone remember Gary Crowton's offense get the ball back with a chance to tie the game in the closing minutes of the game? Instead they made some costly penalties and then fumbled the ball back into UNM's hand. What did we see this past weekend? I saw an offense that everyone loves. The spread offense, the one that was famous for being unstoppable in Edwards days and still is under new coach Bronco Mendenhall. BYU hung in the game and gave themselves a chance to come back and win. Something I don't every remember Crowton's team ever doing. Also, I saw a head coach that had gotten a little wiser. In the TCU game I remember seeing BYU's defense blitzing anywhere from 6 to 8 guys on every play in the 4th quarter. Even when we had a 2 touchdown lead. This weekend, Mendenhall brought his boys back after taking the lead. He played a very good coverage and stopped UNM's offense all together in their closing drive. Some might not have noticed but, Mendenhall is a young coach, and a even younger head coach. He still has some learning to do and he knows that, but he has yet to allow his team to make the same mistake twice, and more importantly himself. His offense is red hot and his defense is coming up with timely stops.

Moving on, lets get back to BYU taking 2nd in this conference. They still have to play Utah, UNLV, Wyoming, CSU, Air Force, and currently ranked #9 Notre Dame. They will beat all of these teams except Notre Dame, that is right every single one. I would even place a little bet to anyone who will take it. I will buy you a donut if they do lose to another team other then Notre Dame. You have till the CSU game to email me if you want in. If they do lose I buy you a donut, if they win all of them, you buy me a donut, deal? Email, fraley2005@hotmail.com if you want in. So, let me tell me why we can win all of these games.

CSU- One we play them for homecoming and I highly doubt anyone on that team and definitely anyone on that coaching staff wants to lose this game. CSU relies on their rushing game to win, BYU's defense and Medenhall's style is all about stopping the run. Not to mention our offense will make it look like they are scrimmaging a high school defense.

Notre Dame- We will lose, they are just out of our league right now, but watch out for next year. If we play those Fighting Irish they better be ready to do that, fight. But I could easily say that about this year. BYU has a chip on the shoulder from the BC game and they could get a chance to take it off here, screwing Charlie Weis's plans for this year.

Air Force, always brings their A game to the table, but they have had some set backs this year and I think they will be trying to get ready for next season. Also, Mendenhall has seen their Wing T offense for the last few years and knows how to stop it. He did at UNM and did here at BYU. Remember last year?

UNLV- one of the worst teams in the conference this year. BYU just needs to play well and take care of business here and they will pull off the win.

Wyoming- This is the game that will make or break me. Wyoming has the best team that they have had in years, not to mention we are playing in Laramie at a time of year that no one should be outside. BYU has to come ready to play to this one. Curtis Brown will be the key here because BYU will have to look to the running game due to the possible weather. But that isn't a problem because Brown is a good strong runner and also there is plenty of talent in BYU's back field as we saw these weekend with third and fourth string runners in there taking care of business.

Utah- Last but not least. This is it, the rivalry game. It is in Provo so expect to see a win here. Utah is falling apart this season dropping there last two, and having one in there hands if they could put it in from the one. Is the team doubting their coach? Wouldn't be surprised, he ran three plays up the middle and none of them worked. BYU has the really spread offense and don't expected miss cues on the goal line. Remember BC? Mendenhall won't let his team make the same mistake twice. BYU's offense will be rolling by now and will be playing for a bowl bid, so expect BYU to take it to Utah and then Utah to fold by third quarter.

Thanks for your time and I hope you enjoyed reading it. Professor Windsor, this should be three but I think I will leave as one.

Correction!

It came to my attention that New England did not beat the Panthers like I thought they did. Come to find out, they won by just a field goal. So, all respect that I had for them just went down the drain. Maybe the don't have the team they need to win a close game like they always seem to do.

You can tell me what I should call this.

Well, I took a few days off and I decided that I was getting addicted and that I was trying to turn out blogs to reach number 50 instead of really talking about things for 14 minutes. So, I am going to focus on time a little bit so I might not get all of what I want to say out. I also am going to attempt something. I am going to write a blog as the person who gave me the assignment. I know this won't happen first go round, but by 50 I hope it is starting to be as good as his.

I had an interesting phone conversation this morning at midnight. It lasted about an hour and a half. In that phone call I learned a few things. Before I say these things, I try to keep my feelings out of my blogs but since they are my journal pretty much I can't avoid it.

I learned what a true friend is and why Heavenly Father has us do the things we do. None of you know who I am talking about, matter of fact I will place my entire life savings on the table right now and if any of you can say that you have personally met her I will give you it. First though lets talk about God.

I will admit, I don't pray everyday, I pray when asked to in class or at church. Ususally for fast Sunday, and of course when I want an answer to something. I questioned something that my Heavenly Father wanted me to do about a month ago. I didn't understand why he would want me to do something like that when things were going so great. But I did what he asked and after going through some tough times this past month things started to make sense. One, if I hadn't done what he asked me I would have been in a lot of pain right now and two I wouldn't have done some or said some of the things that I have done in this past month. So, if you know that your Heavenly Father wants you to do something, do it, don't question it. As Nike says, "Just Do It" and you will be blessed, even if you don't think you are or will.

Briefly, true friends and true love. I sat on the phone tonight talking to someone about things that I would never have ever talked to them about until tonight. I listened to this person tell me about these problems that they have created for themselves and also that things that put our friendship in Jeopardy. I was somewhat mad when the I first heard what happened but after reading the scriptures with this person, I was able to calm down and talk to this person and at the end tell them not to worry about me but to fix what had just happened. I had to put all of my personal feelings for this person aside (and if you haven't figured out that I am talking about a girl well I am) and try my best to help her. Friends can talk to you about anything, even after they have hurt you. And love, well, everyone knows it is real simple. You would go to the end of this earth, to the end of eternity to make sure that this person is happy. Even if it means that you aren't in their life anymore. Just like Christ will do anything to help us get back to him but also, if asked to, he will step out of our lives. Not because he wants to but because he loves us.

Well, there you go. I hope you all enjoyed. Have a great weekend! Jesus loves you!!!

Professor Windsor!!!

Hey really quick. Can I go through and edit some of my blogs. Just break them up better, putting paragraphs and things like them or would that take away from the assignment.

The Pro's problem!!

Okay, you have to read sports talk before you read this or you just won't get what I am talking about.
New England. I have no respect for them, they do well in the playoffs, so what. Out of the three Super Bowls they have won, they have only won one out right, against a 8-8 and North Carolina team that wasn't even suppose to be there. They win all there games by a field goal because the other team is to stupid to waste all the clock before they score. USC on the other hand, won every National Championship out right. Ask Oklahoma about the a** kicking that they got from USC. Do I think that New England should get props for those three Super Bowls, yes. Because the rest of the NFL is so screwed up that no one can beat them because it is all about the individual not the team. Don't believe me, what about TO this season and the ridiculous amounts of hold outs in the off season? How about the year long hold out by the NHL? Someone wants a little more here or a little more there. Want something bigger and better. What does that get you? Ask the Yankees. No, I am not trying to suck up to you Windsor, I feel my work can stand for itself (but if you disagree please be generous on my personal essay) Just tell me Windsor how many wins did the team with the highest payroll in the league have through May. Enough to give them the third worst record in the entire MLB (only in front of Tampa Bay(lowest paid team) and Colorado (youngest team in the league)) I mean if you are going to get paid the most shouldn't you be showing everyone up? Now, do I have a problem with a team being paid a lot, no if your good. Honestly, I think Atlanta should be getting the dough, they have been good year in and year out. They have won their division how many years now? 13 maybe 14. Sure they haven't won every world series but they have played in a lot of post seasons, probably more then the Yankees if we were to go back and compare. Back to the money thing. So, what happens to the sports with salary caps? They pay a ridiculous amount for one player and then try there best to fill there team with good players for the least amount of money so they can stay under the salary cap. Result? Decent team. So to all of you pros, including you T.O. and yes the Yankees, suck up your pride and instead of worrying about how many more millions you can make why don't you worry about how to get your team to win a world series or a Super Bowl.

Sports talk!!!

Okay, first off, however in there right mind thought it would be a good idea to come up with all these weird Starburst flavors, I want to meet them so I can shoot them. Original! That is the only way to go. None of these sour, tropical, Baja, purple junk. Original! With red, orange, yellow, and pink. That is it, no variation. Now, to what I wanted to talk about. Last night, me and a very good friend of mine got in an argument about USC three peating. She feels that they shouldn't and someone should stop them, but at the same time worships the New England Patriots for setting up this "Dynasty". Now, I love college football for two reasons, one it isn't the pros so they don't do it for money, and two it has some of the most talented athletes in the sport playing it. Now, I know that there are the college athletes getting some fully ride scholarship for them to play, but how many kids on campus are getting paid to help out and make BYU the best university in the nation? Well, those athletes are just getting paid to represent their college. I respect college athlete's and if USC can three peat this year, which they will unless Texas stops them, which as much as I love Texas, but they won't. I mean how many college teams have three-peated? Not many. I mean Miami got screwed out of it a few years ago when they lost the game in overtime to Ohio State over a gay call, that even to this day they are trying to justify if it was the right, so obviously it wasn't. It is a rare thing for college teams to do it because of the constant moving in and out of players do to graduation. USC is being questioned in every way if there are as good as everyone makes them out to be just because of the lose of talent they have had. If a college team can three peat why can't we be happy about it. I know we all want upsets, that is why when March Madness comes around I make an entire bracket off of upsets. I can't help it and that is what kills me, if it is a close call I pick the upset, so in the end I have Bucknell winning the NCAA Championship so there goes my bracket. Seeing that I am running over my unit of time read down to the next blog and I will talk about the whole pro thing.

The big 20!

Naturally I would go to bed and just write another blog some other time but this is number 20 for me, and I feel my last blog didn't come out the way I wanted it to so I thought that I would give it another go round. First, music, listen to Hold On by Blink-182. It shows just what guys go through somewhat. Well, I just want to say is that I have always wondered why people make things so complicated in relationships. I know that in some of my past relationships, when things ended everything got weird, and also things at the beginning were really weird and awkward. (I am talking about dating, you know boyfriend and girlfriend status) I always seemed to be in some sort of competition with another guy, like I had to out do him or be better then him. So, asking a girl out was complicated,just in the fact that I was worried how the girl thought o f me compare to other guys. By the way, girls we aren't stupid, we can tell when you like another guy, so finding our competition isn't that hard. So, after we finally get what we think to be a go ahead signal from a girl we ask them out, go out on a date with them, so on and so forth. But first I would like to back up to the asking out part. Most girls philosophy is that if the guy asks they won't say no just because he reached out and put his feelings on the line and you don't want to crush him. Don't waste our time. If you don't like us say no. That is the last thing I want, to go out with a girl because they felt some sympathy for me so they lead me on. Okay so now you argue a guy sees to much into something. Why would a guy ask you out if he didn't like you more then a friend? If you just want to be a guys friend and you see the date as more of a hang out time instead of a date, then you need to tell the guy that, because then he will know not to bring his A game for that date, and more importantly not to get his hopes up that you like him which brings us right back to why did you say yes in the first place. Honesty is the best policy. I think the biggest advice I can give anyone on a date or in a relationship, act, just act, that this person is the first person you have been in a relationship with. There is no need to compare and contrast this relationship with a previous one, because in all reality this is the first time you have ever been in a relationship with that person so everything is new and you really can't compare them to anyone else because no one else is like them. No one wants to hear about how you and your last boyfriend or you and this guy went here and it was so much fun. Especially if you like a guy or girl, what a bad way to frustrate them or make them upset or to send the wrong signs and make things complicated. Don't look to deep into things and if you are afraid someone is then tell them and clear everything up. If you want a friendship, let I be a friendship, if you want more then pursue that and make it obvious what you want. Well, I think you have heard enough of Eric's Dating Philosophy. I almost want to write a dating guide but I think it might not turn out so well. So, you my readers tell me what you think. Leave me some comments and if you think I should produce a book let me know and I will pursue it. In the mean time look out for the next 30 blogs that I am getting ready to bust out. I am done writing about dating, seeing that the weekend is coming up I might go football. But I think I need a blogging break, because they seem to be getting some what boring. Well talk to you later .

Girls!

The subject I have chosen is rather funny. Everyone knows the saying, " girls, you can't live with them, you can't live without them." Well, it is true for several reasons but I don't want to go in that direction. See girls think guys are so hard to read. Well, we aren't, we lay things out there, and sure we may not ask you out on a date but it could be simple that we are afraid of you. Guys, we just do things, not for any reason, we get up in the morning, find the cleanest shirt and put it on. We don't worry about who we are going to see. Sure we like looking good but we aren't out to win a certain girls heart over. We don't worry about whether or not you like us. We try to win you over with some jokes and being nice guys. If things don't work out, yes we are somewhat sad but we get over it. Now girls, they think about who they are going to see that day and try to dress accordingly. They flip out when they see there crush and he waves at them. And if he doesn't they break down and cry because he doesn't like them when in all reality the guy just didn't see them. Also they say they like you but then date other guys. I know the church encourages it but just curious why must you tell us about it? I mean nothing sucks more then being a compared to other guys and how fun they are or maybe how creative they are. If you think they are better then go date them and leave us alone. Don't sit there and hold it over our heads and when we don't talk to much or some what ignore you don't ask why. I mean how often does a guy compare you to another girl right in front of you. Not as often as you compare us. And the whole be nice thing, don't hurt them and if you have to be as nice as possible to the point where you miss the point. Just come out and say I don't like you I like some one else or, I hate all guys, or whatever but don't think you are doing us a favor by not telling us or trying to be nice about it. Just lay it out there. You know, I heard a song awhile back about this. Girls just need to be honest about things from the beginning. Don't try to impress us or get our attention because if we are talking to you you already have it. If you don't want us to like you more then a friend then don't flirt with us and if you just flirt naturally, tell the guy hey you are cool and all but I just want to be friends. Nothing more. If we like you we will pursue you. If not we will just ignore you until we need you for something, yes I know that that is brutal but it is the truth. Pretty much,ladies here is my advice. If you just want to be friends be up front about and say that you aren't interested in relationships, just say it up front to prevent any confusion later on. Two, if you are dating someone else or even hanging out with other guys, leave that information out, unless you don't like us. Say that you are hanging out with some of your girlfriends. We don't want to know about how you hung out with some guy today and how much fun you had or how creative he was, or how great the date was. Lastly, don't try to be nice because in the end we just want the truth even if it results in our hearts being ripped and torn to shreds, I promise we will get over it.

My two cents.

Well, I was hoping to have this blog done a few days ago but I never felt strong enough in my argument. I never felt that what I would say is original but I don't care. I am going to put my two cents in and leave it at that. So, why do most freshmen English students struggle with writing formal letters, essays, well pretty much anything is rather simple. They one don't read enough, two don't write enough, and three have never had it pressed upon them. Most high school English teachers are glad that they read a short story in class together, yet a lone have there students read on their own. It mainly starts with respect in the classroom. Teachers don't have the respect of the students and the parents would agree with there child before the agreed with the teacher, so they get no help there. Also, high school is more of a lets not fail anyone so let us make it as easy as possible to pass. Require very little and receive even less. Now, I know teachers try to help students out but they be a little bit to generous about things. So, each year they get worse. A teacher that taught rather well ten, even fifteen years ago, could not produce the same type of student these days just because of the laws put in place and the dumbing down of America. Yes most high school teachers aren't as good as they were many years ago because of the education system falling apart. What was a good education then, is now a great education. We are seeing the United States of America become stupider because people don't want to stand up and enforce things. The lack of leadership in schools is rather pathetic. No one wants to stand up for what is right. Most people don't even care and the ones that do are so few they can only do so much. America will be dumber then a third world country rather shortly if we don't fix it. I know as a high school student I didn't read a lot of the assigned books, and it shows in my writing. Also, the use of modern technology, computers, email, etc., don't help this poor writing. People use a lot of slang and also writers might be doing the same to meet the reading level. Considering the fact that a newspaper is written on an 8th grade reading level it makes you wonder what would happen if you published a newspaper that was written for a high school graduate reading level. Could people understand it and comprehend it? Just tonight I was playing a game of taboo. One girl had a rather large vocabulary and she could use it. She didn't just know it, but she could use it. A young girl in my ward, maybe 10 years old, would stand up and bear her testimony using words that I don't think your average high school student would understand. Was she a genius? No, she just read. Mainly, Harry Potter and fictional books. Nothing greater or grand. Not Moab Dick, or Waiting for Godot, or The Importance of being Earnest. Just fictional books. If everyone in this nation could just read a newspaper and understand it, it would help. Then the papers could write more indebted and at a higher reading level. Why can't people write formal with good taste? Well, they can't read, so they can't spell, so they don't even try to comprehend.

BYU's downfall!!!

Okay, before you read this post I will say up front that I am no football genius. Some might call me a armchair quarterback, but I would like to think that I know a little bit more then the average Joe about football. I played two years in high school, and I have watched college football for the last four years of my life. I look forward to college gameday, I stay up late at night getting the ESPN highlights of the games that day, and I let my voice be heard when I know that a team blew a game, and just a little hint for everyone, my goal in life is to coach a college football team to a national championship. I feel personally that the instant reply in college should be done away with, even if it fixs problems that some stupid officials may make. The thing about college football, is that the student athletes on the field are playing with all their heart, they have family and friends that watch them and they try to show them what it is all about. Pro football is all about money and PR, high school doesn't have the talent like college athlete's do, so what is the greatest football on earth, college football. Today's game was disappointing to BYU fans all over the world. For us to lose a game that we had been leading all along is rather pathetic personally disagree with Mendenhall's coaching strategy, his defense is to aggressive putting 8 guys in the box and leaving teams with plenty of cushion underneath to make small plays. You don't need a 80 yard pass to score every time, you just need to keep picking up the first downs. You pick up five yards on every play you might ended up with a 3rd and inches every now and then but not enough to force the punt. I understand that he is trying to put pressure on the quarter back but his defense wasn't placing the pressure that he needed. He should have been playing three man front dropping eight d-backs, forcing the young quarter back to make a throw or TCU to run the ball. The entire loss wasn't on the coach, the team didn't play defense the last quarter of the game. They felt that the lead they had would hold up and they just needed to slow them down long enough. You can't play like that, especially if your coach is going to blitz on every play. You have to bring your A game on every play. You can't take a play off and come back for the next one. BYU, played a spectacular first half, but the game didn't end at half time, it goes for four quarters. BYU should have learned that after TCU upset Utah last week in the same manner. Just some thoughts. BYU can still make a bowl this year and can still have a winning season, they can still become Mountain West Conference Champs, we just need to bring our A game and play to our best every game. No more trying to find our identity.

You know what sucks?

Alright, I just got done with the blog before this a whole five minutes ago, so if you here me go off on some weird random thing about how I hate girls then I apologize in advance. I am looking through my blogs and I notice that I have almost no comments on my blogs, do you know how disappointing that is to me. I begin to wonder if anyone cares about this whole blog thing or was it just an assignment to get some kids writing? Well, I hope that isn't it because I but a lot of thought in to these blogs and plan out some what, what I am going to say. Most of it doesn't sound like thought up stuff, it is made up as I go, but if it does come out I must have been thinking about this for sometime considering the fact that I am suppose to write for fourteen minutes straight and not let me hands stop, or be distracted by others, just focus on what I am writing. I must have placed some thought in these things just by the way they come out. Also, the topics I write about. I don't just pick some weird random stuff to talk about, except my what to talk about blog, but if you read my titles you can see that I actually think about my blog all day long and when I feel something is blog worthy I write about it, occasionally some unblog worthy things have made it in, but still for the most part I thought about the blog earlier in the day. But now that I am tired of writing about that I think I will throw some blog ideas out to you and let you pick what I should write about. We have "Homework", "BYU blows it 51-50" ( I might just write about that tonight), " Calling Parents", "Dating" ( you might want to give me a week to cool off, curious, read Just stay away) and for random weirdness, you can give me any sport you want me to blog about, I will research it, and give you an honest opinion, or I might be bias and say that the sport is stupid and gay and should never be played again. So there you go, oh one more "Guys and Girls; what is the relationship" it sounded cooler in my head but I think I could come up with something good if you ask me to blog about it.

Just stay away!

Okay, now most people are thinking that I am a jerk and that I don't want anything to do with them. Well, I somewhat do feel that way but mostly towards girls and I just don't feel like doing anything with them. So, any girl that does read this just stay away. Your a curse to a guy, especially if he hasn't gone on his mission, because while you are thinking marriage we are trying to keep our heads on and focus spreading the gospel. While you are wondering how many kids you want to have we are still trying to figure out if we like kids enough to have any, or even if we want to get married to a girl who wants more then 1. I might be wrong about this so any guys if you would like to comment or blog about this go for it. But honestly I think the next time I hear anything about marriage I might just barf. I can honestly stand here and tell you that any money that you spend on a girl before your mission is money you are spending on someone else's wife. So my advise for all you guys that have girlfriends, just dump them and be friends. I mean isn't that what we are suppose to do. Date a billion of people before we decided which one we should marry, it usually boils down to who isn't married when we get back from our mission but that's okay. If your at BYU you can just find a freshmen who is taking Marriage prep, I mean she is just begging to get married if she is in that class. I know most girls say they don't come to get married here at BYU, but that is just like a girl saying that she doesn't want to be swept off her feet by mister romantic. Why lie about? Everyone knows in the back of your mind you are secretly hoping that you find mister right here at BYU. BYU should honestly change there motto to, " Meet today, Marry tomorrow." We even have the Provo temple a whole two maybe three blocks away. If you don't like that one we still have, what ten more, a hour, two hour drive away. So girls don't bug us guys if you know we still have to go on a mission. Just stay away and let us enjoy our lives while we still can. If you love us so much you will be here when we get back in two years.

88%

Well, you think B+ when you see that, 88%. Well, right now all I have to say is that I am the champion. I know I didn't get the highest grade in the class but I got a 88% on my first college chem test. See in my high school we use to take partner tests for chemistry so it wouldn't be all of my work. That was all me though, all 88% of it and had I been thinking, it would have been higher. I got 51 out of 58 points and I think if number 7 wasn't number 7 I would have gotten it right. I wanted to just leave and come back and finish it later but it was a do or die moment. So, I missed out on three points there, and then a point off on sigfigs and then another two on some little stupid things that I didn't know. It is all good though, I didn't even cram for that exam. I could have done better if I would have crammed or studied just a little bit. I like that about myself, I don't stress out about grades. If I don't know it it is my own fault and I can only blame myself so if a test comes up and I am not ready for it, point the finger at me, no one else. Other then that it is all good. People, especially girls, flip out about the little things. Oh my gosh, I don't know this or I don't understand it what should I do. It really is stupid. You don't know, you don't know it, then learn it for next time fix your mistakes. Don't whine about them. Your the only one to blame if you don't know it. In all reality it is because if the teacher didn't teach it well, then you should have gotten help from someone. That was the most annoying thing in the world to me. I could not believe how anal people got about there grades in high school. I mean when you go to college the teacher doesn't know your name yet alone your gpa, or the grade that you got last time when you took a class like that. Everyone just needs to calm down, get over it come on, it is a grade not eternal salvation, Heavenly Father won't care what you got in high school, well, unless you were cheating, but other then that no one cares. But I must say an 88% is dang good. Peace