Who's ready for a really long update about football teams, numbers, and stats, that you will not care about? Oh well! It's my LiveJournal! First off, a couple somewhat bold predictions about the 2005 NFL season.

1. The Arizona Cardinals will finish .500. Kurt Warner is flakier than most of my ex-girlfriends, but when he's got talent around him, he's good. Boldin and Fitzgerald give him just that. Between Warner lighting up the air, and a revamped defense, the Cards win a few more games, but still miss the postseason.

2. The Pittsburgh Steelers will again be the best team in football. If I had posted this a week ago as planned, I probably wouldn't have said this one..but after seeing what they did Sunday, I only see three teams that will beat us. Those teams are San Diego, Indianapolis, and Cincinatti (once). We finish 13-3, best record in football again.

3. The New Orleans Saints will be a wildcard. I know better than to pick otherwise. In 2001, 9/11 happens, and a team called the Patriots wins the superbowl. Katrina hits, and New Orlean's team will make the postseason, whether it's because of coincidence or something less innocent. Finish 10-6, lose in the divisional round to #1 seed Atlanta.

The 2005 AFC

AFC North:
Pittsburgh:
1. vs TEN (W)
2. @ HOU (W)
3. vs NE (w)
4. BYE
5. @ SD (L)
6. vs JAX (W)
7. @ CIN (L)
8. vs. BAL (W)
9. @ GB (W)
10. vs. CLE (W)
11. @ BAL (W)
12. @ IND (L)
13. vs CIN (W)
14. vs CHI (W)
15. @ MIN (W)
16. @ CLE (W)
17. vs DET (W)
FINAL: 13-3
Notes: See above.

Baltimore:
1. vs IND (L)
2. @ TEN (W)
3. BYE
4. vs. NYJ (L)
5. @ DET (W)
6. vs CLE (W)
7. @ CHI (W)
8. @ PIT (L)
9. vs CIN (W)
10. @ JAX (W)
11. vs PIT (L)
12. @ CIN (L)
13. vs HOU (W)
14. @ DEN (W)
15. vs GB (W)
16. vs MIN (L)
17. @ CLE (L)
FINAL: 9-7
Notes: Jamal is wounded, Boller is out (which is actually good). Defense is still pretty good, but is starting to decline. They compete for a while, but are just no match for the surging Steelers.

Cincinatti:
1. @ CLE (W)
2. vs MIN (L)
3. @ CHI (W)
4. vs HOU (L)
5. @ JAX (L)
6. @ TEN (W)
7. vs PIT (L)
8. vs GB (W)
9. @ BAL (L)
10. BYE
11. vs IND (W)
12. vs BAL (W)
13. @ PIT (L)
14. vs. CLE (W)
15. @ DET (W)
16. vs BUF (L)
17. @ KC (L)
FINAL: 8-8
Notes: I really do like the Bengals, and really wanna give Carson Palmer and Co. his breakout season. But..looking at the schedule, I just don't see it. I hope this one is wrong, because I want to see the Bengals compete..but I don't think 2005 is the year.

Cleveland:
1. vs CIN (L)
2. @ GB (L)
3. @ IND (L)
4. BYE
5. vs CHI (L)
6. @ BAL (L)
7. vs DET (W)
8. @ HOU (L)
9. vs TEN (W)
10. @ PIT (L)
11. vs MIA (L)
12. @ MIN (L)
13. vs JAX (L)
14. @ CIN (L)
15. @ OAK (W)
16. vs PIT (L)
17. vs BAL (L)
Final: 3-13
Notes: Cleveland fans should be happy with 3-13. This team is completely different, and has a lot of work to do before they can gel and win games. It won't happen this season, save for a couple upset games.

AFC East:
New England:
1. vs OAK (W)
2. @ CAR (W)
3. @ PIT (L)
4. vs SD (W)
5. @ ATL (L)
6. @ DEN (W)
7. BYE
8. vs BUF (W)
9. vs IND (L)
10. @ MIA (W)
11. vs NO (W)
12. @ KC (L)
13. vs NYJ (W)
14. @ BUF (W)
15. vs TB (W)
16. @ NYJ (L)
17. vs MIA (W)
Final: 11-5
Notes: New England is still New England, but the losses of coordinators and players shows. Win the division, but losses to Indy, KC, the Jets, Atlanta, and Pit (all good 2005 playoff teams) keep them from homefield advantage.

New York Jets:
1. @ KC (L)
2. vs MIA (W)
3. vs JAX (W)
4. @ BAL (W)
5. vs TB (W)
6. @ BUF (L)
7. @ ATL (L)
8. BYE
9. vs SD (W)
10. @ CAR (L)
11. @ DEN (W)
12. vs NO (W)
13. @ NE (L)
14. vs OAK (W)
15. @ MIA (L)
16. vs NE (W)
17. vs BUF (W)
Final: 10-6
Notes: Not impressed yet, but if Pennington can get back on his feet, this team will win enough games to secure a wildcard. If they don't, then I say the Ravens do.

Buffalo Bills:
1. vs HOU (W)
2. @ TB (L)
3. vs ATL (L)
4. @ NO (L)
5. vs MIA (W)
6. vs NYJ (W)
7. @ OAK (L)
8. @ NE (L)
9. BYE
10. vs KC (W)
11. @ SD (W)
12. vs CAR (L)
13. @ MIA (W)
14. vs NE (L)
15. vs DEN (L)
16. @ CIN (W)
17. @ NYJ (L)
Final: 7-9
Notes: Same solid defense, utterly terrible offense. New QB provides problems and losses, but shows promise. 2006 may be the year of the Bill.

Miami Dolphins:
1. vs DEN (W)
2. @ NYJ (L)
3. vs CAR (W)
4. BYE
5. @ BUF (L)
6. @ TB (W)
7. vs KC (L)
8. @ NO (L)
9. vs ATL (L)
10. vs NE (L)
11. @ CLE (W)
12. @ OAK (W)
13. vs BUF (L)
14. @ SD (L)
15. vs NYJ (W)
16. vs TEN (W)
17. @ NE (L)
Final: 7-9
Notes: Like Cleveland, Miami is a completel revamped team. However, this one will gel and win a lot sooner, and a lot more often than their northern counterparts.

AFC West:
Kansas City:
1. NYJ (W)
2. @ OAK (W)
3. @ DEN (W)
4. PHI (L)
5. BYE
6. WSH (W)
7. @ MIA (W)
8. @ SD (L)
9. vs OAK (L)
10. @ BUF (L)
11. @ HOU (W)
12. vs NE (W)
13. vs DEN (W)
14. @ DAL (W)
15. @ NYG (W)
16. vs SD (W)
17. vs CIN (W)
Final: 12-4
Notes: Watched them Sunday, and wow. Larry Johnson and Priest Holmes are by far THE most dangerous running back duo in football. If the defense can keep teams down, Johnson and Holmes will run all day long..right into the #2 seed.

San Diego:
1. DAL (L)
2. @ DEN (W)
3. NYG (W)
4. @ NE (L)
5. vs PIT (W)
6. @ OAK (L)
7. @ PHI (W)
8. vs KC (W)
9. @ NYJ (L)
10. BYE
11. vs BUF (L)
12. @ WSH (W)
13. vs OAK (L)
14. vs MIA (W)
15. @ IND (W)
16. @ KC (L)
17. vs DEN (W)
Final: 9-7
Notes: Drop from 12-4 from a year ago, but it's hard to win in one of the toughest divisions in the league. Pull off some memorable wins against Pittsburgh and Philly, but watch the playoffs from home. Perhaps it's time for Phillip Rivers.

Oakland Raiders:
1. @ NE (L)
2. vs KC (L)
3. @ PHI (L)
4. vs DAL (W)
5. BYE
6. vs SD (W)
7. vs BUF (W)
8. @ TEN (W)
9. @ KC (W)
10. vs DEN (L)
11. @ WSH (L)
12. vs MIA (L)
13. @ SD (W)
14. @ NYJ (L)
15. vs CLE (L)
16. @ DEN (W)
17. vs NYG (W)
Final: 8-8
Notes: Looked impressive on Thursday night, but I don't buy it. Randy Moss is not good enough to save a team in a funk like the Raiders have been in. They finish even, if that.

Denver Broncos:
1. @ MIA (L)
2. vs SD (L)
3. vs KC (L)
4. @ JAX (L)
5. vs WSH (L)
6. vs NE (L)
7. @ NYG (W)
8. PHI (L)
9. BYE
10. @ OAK (W)
11. vs NYJ (L)
12. @ DAL (W)
13. @ KC (L)
14. vs BAL (L)
15. @ BUF (W)
16. vs OAK (L)
17. @ SD (L)
Final: 4-12
Notes: The good news is, they get a high draft pick. The bad news is, Peyton Manning doesn't get to destroy their defense come January..oh wait..that's good news, too. Looks like the basement is win win for Denver.

AFC South:
Indianapolis Colts:
1. @ BAL (W)
2. vs JAX (W)
3. vs CLE (W)
4. @ TEN (W)
5. @ SF (W)
6. vs STL (L)
7. @ HOU (L)
8. BYE
9. @ NE (W)
10. vs HOU (W)
11. @ CIN (L)
12. vs PIT (W)
13. TEN (W)
14. @ JAX (L)
15. vs SD (L)
16. @ SEA (W)
17. vs ARI (W)
Final: 11-5
Notes: Speaking of Manning and the Colts, they, as usual, look great in the season, and good in the playoffs, and lose the AFC championship in Pittsburgh. Until they get a #1 seed, don't pick them for the Superbowl. Period.

Jacksonville Jaguars:
1. SEA (W)
2. @ IND (L)
3. @ NYJ (L)
4. DEN (W)
5. CIN (W)
6. @ PIT (L)
7. BYE
8. @ STL (W)
9. vs HOU (W)
10. vs BAL (L)
11. @ TEN (L)
12. @ ARI (W)
13. @ CLE (W)
14. IND (W)
15. SF (W)
16. @ HOU (L)
17. TEN (W)
Final: 10-6
Notes: Bandwagon team last year, and this year they pick up where they left off. Only this year, they win the couple more games needed to secure a wildcard slot.

Houston Texans:
1. @ BUF (L)
2. vs PIT (L)
3. BYE
4. @ CIN (W)
5. vs TEN (W)
6. @ SEA (W)
7. vs IND (W)
8. vs CLE (W)
9. @ JAX (L)
10. @ IND (L)
11. vs KC (L)
12. vs STL (L)
13. @ BAL (L)
14. @ TEN (W)
15. ARI (W)
16. JAX (W)
17. @ SF (W)
Final: 9-7
Notes: FINALLY! The Texans end with a winning record. Things can only go up next year. But for this year, the Texans should congratulate themselves, and focus on how to get better next year during their extended offseason.

Tennessee Titans:
1. @ PIT (L)
2. vs BAL (L)
3. @ STL (L)
4. vs IND (L)
5. @ HOU (L)
6. vs CIN (L)
7. @ ARI (W)
8. vs OAK (L)
9. @ CLE (L)
10. BYE
11. JAX (W)
12. SF (W)
13. @ IND (L)
14. vs HOU (L)
15. vs SEA (L)
16. @ MIA (L)
17. @ JAX (L)
Final: 3-13
Notes: Talk about a horrible team. Stuck in salary cap hell, Jeff Fisher would kill for 3-13. I honestly would not be surprised if they went 0-16. This team looks so bad that I don't even think it can beat San Fran. But because of the any given Sunday rule, they get a couple upsets.

FINAL AFC STANDINGS:
1. Pittsburgh (13-3) - AFC North Champ
2. Kansas City (12-4) - AFC West Champ
3. Indianapolis Colts (11-5) - AFC South Champ
4. New England Patriots (11-5) AFC East Champ
5. New York Jets (10-6) - Wildcard
6. Jacksonville Jaguars (10-6) - Wildcard

Wildcard Weekend:
6. JAX @ 3. IND - 3. IND
5. NYJ @ 4. NE - 4. NE
Notes: Indy is playing in Indy, so they win, as usual. Brady and the Pats turn it on and burn the Jets, as they do to any team in January. Patriots are also motivated because they actually have to play on Wildcard weekend.

Divisional:
3. IND @ 2. KC - 3. IND
4. NE @ 1. PIT - 1. PIT
Notes: In deja vu, the Colts beat the Chiefs in KC, in what will be a very high scoring game. The Pats and the Steelers replay last year a week early, but this time, my team will refuse to lose.

Championship:
3. IND @ 1. PIT - 1. PIT
Notes: As I said before, unless the Colts are indoors, don't bet on them. Period. Steelers are going to the SuperBowl!

The 2005 NFC

NFC NORTH:
Minnesota Vikings:
1. vs TB (L)
2. @ CIN (W)
3. vs NO (W)
4. @ ATL (L)
5. BYE
6. @ CHI (W)
7. vs GB (W)
8. @ CAR (L)
9. vs DET (W)
10. @ NYG (L)
11. @ GB (W)
12. vs CLE (W)
13. @ DET (W)
14. vs STL (L)
15. vs PIT (L)
16. @ BAL (W)
17. vs CHI (W)
Final: 10-6
Notes: Missing Moss puts a dent in the offense. But in a weak division and weak conference, they win enough to squeak into the playoffs.

Detroit Lions:
1. vs GB (W)
2. @ CHI (L)
3. BYE
4. @ TB (W)
5. vs BAL (L)
6. vs CAR (W)
7. @ CLE (L)
8. vs CHI (W)
9. @ MIN (L)
10. vs ARI (W)
11. @ DAL (W)
12. vs ATL (L)
13. vs MIN (L)
14. @ GB (W)
15. vs CIN (L)
16. @ NO (W)
17. @ PIT (L)
Final: 8-8
Notes: Harrington finally lives up to potential, and being surrounded by all-star receivers, it's about time. .500 is a good finish for the Lions.

Chicago Bears:
1. @ WSH (L)
2. vs DET (W)
3. vs CIN (L)
4. BYE
5. @ CLE (W)
6. vs MIN (L)
7. vs BAL (L)
8. @ DET (L)
9. @ NO (L)
10. vs SF (W)
11. vs CAR (L)
12. @ TB (W)
13. vs GB (W)
14. @ PIT (L)
15. vs ATL (W)
16. @ GB (W)
17. @ MIN (L)
Final: 7-9
Notes: Bears are the Bears, year in and year out. Need a franchise QB. Orton is not that, at least not this year. But at least they're not last place.

Green Bay Packers:
1. @ DET (L)
2. vs CLE (W)
3. vs TB (L)
4. @ CAR (L)
5. vs NO (L)
6. BYE
7. @ MIN (L)
8. @ CIN (L)
9. vs PIT (L)
10. @ ATL (L)
11. vs MIN (L)
12. @ PHI (W)
13. @ CHI (L)
14. vs DET (L)
15. @ BAL (L)
16. vs CHI (L)
17. vs SEA (W)
Final: 3-13
Notes: The honor of last place goes to the Packers. Mark my words, Favre WILL retire after this miserable season ends. Favre is over the hill and falling fast, Walker is out, Green is stinking up the field, and the defense is non-existant. When your schedule includes Atlanta, Philly, Pit, and Bal, you better have an offense that can play, or those defenses will kill you. They will kill Green Bay.

NFC EAST:
Philadelphia Eagles:
1. @ ATL (L)
2. vs SF (W)
3. vs OAK (W)
4. @ KC (W)
5. @ DAL (W)
6. BYE
7. SD (L)
8. @ DEN (W)
9. @ WSH (W)
10. vs DAL (L)
11. @ NYG (W)
12. vs GB (L)
13. vs SEA (W)
14. vs NYG (W)
15. @ STL (W)
16. @ ARI (W)
17. vs WSH (W)
Final: 12-4
Note: Eagles are still the top of the NFC East. The rest of the division is getting better, but not that fast. Eagles get a #2 seed and a trip to SB XL.

Dallas Cowboys:
1. @ SD (W)
2. vs WSH (W)
3. @ SF (L)
4. @ OAK (L)
5. vs PHI (L)
6. vs NYG (W)
7. @ SEA (W)
8. vs ARI (W)
9. BYE
10. @ PHI (W)
11. vs DET (L)
12. vs DEN (L)
13. @ NYG (W)
14. vs KC (L)
15. @ WSH (W)
16. @ CAR (W)
17. vs STL (W)
Final: 10-6
Notes: Bledsoe will play well for Parcells. Julius Jones is a beast. Defense is looking good. Enough said. Wildcard.

New York Giants:
1. vs ARI (W)
2. @ NO (L)
3. @ SD (L)
4. vs STL (L)
5. BYE
6. @ DAL (L)
7. vs DEN (L)
8. vs WSH (W)
9. @ SF (W)
10. vs MIN (W)
11. vs PHI (L)
12. @ SEA (W)
13. vs DAL (L)
14. @ PHI (L)
15. vs KC (L)
16. @ WSH (W)
17. @ OAK (L)
Final: 6-10
Notes: Eli will lead the Giants to the promised land, but not for a couple more years.

Washington Redskins:
1. vs CHI (W)
2. @ DAL (L)
3. BYE
4. vs SEA (L)
5. @ DEN (W)
6. @ KC (L)
7. vs SF (W)
8. @ NYG (L)
9. vs PHI (L)
10. @ TB (L)
11. vs OAK (W)
12. vs SD (L)
13. @ STL (L)
14. @ ARI (L)
15. vs DAL (L)
16. vs NYG (L)
17. @ PHI (L)
Final: 4-12
Notes: Gibbs needs to dump these rotating QB's and use his 2006 top 10 draft pick to get a QB that will win consistently. Or he can quit. Whatever. Does anyone even care about the Redskins anymore?

NFC West:
St. Louis Rams:
1. @ SF (L)
2. @ ARI (L)
3. vs TEN (W)
4. @ NYG (W)
5. vs SEA (L)
6. @ IND (W)
7. vs NO (W)
8. vs JAX (L)
9. BYE
10. @ SEA (W)
11. vs ARI (L)
12. @ HOU (W)
13. vs WSH (W)
14. @ MIN (W)
15. vs PHI (L)
16. vs SF (W)
17. @ DAL (L)
Final: 9-7
Notes: Like last year, the NFC West is still the basement of the NFL. Teams get better against each other, making things more even..but the rest of the league still beats up on all four of them..so a 9-7 record gets a #4 seed.

Arizona Cardinals:
1. @ NYG (L)
2. vs STL (W)
3. @ SEA (W)
4. vs SF (W)
5. vs CAR (L)
6. BYE
7. vs TEN (L)
8. @ DAL (L)
9. vs SEA (W)
10. @ DET (L)
11. @ STL (W)
12. vs JAX (L)
13. @ SF (W)
14. vs WSH (W)
15. @ HOU (L)
16. vs PHI (W)
17. @ IND (L)
Final: 8-8
Notes: Everyone picks Arizona to make the playoffs. That's a little too radical for me. I'm all for off the wall predictions, but they have to be realistic. I think .500 is realistic, and if Warner stays and plays well this year, then next year we'll see the Cards in January.

Seattle Seahawks:
1. @ JAX (L)
2. vs ATL (L)
3. vs ARI (L)
4. @ WSH (W)
5. @ STL (W)
6. vs HOU (L)
7. vs DAL (L)
8. BYE
9. @ ARI (L)
10. vs STL (L)
11. @ SF (W)
12. vs NYG (L)
13. @ PHI (L)
14. vs SF (W)
15. @ TEN (W)
16. vs IND (L)
17. @ GB (L)
Final: 5-11
Notes: Dropped balls, no defense. Hasselbeck blows, and Alexander falters in a critical year for Seattle. Expect Coach Mike to get the axe after this embarassment.

San Francisco 49ers:
1. vs STL (W)
2. @ PHI (L)
3. vs DAL (L)
4. @ ARI (L)
5. vs IND (L)
6. BYE
7. @ WSH (L)
8. vs TB (W)
9. vs NYG (L)
10. @ CHI (L)
11. vs SEA (L)
12. @ TEN (L)
13. vs ARI (L)
14. @ SEA (L)
15. @ JAX (L)
16. @ STL (L)
17. vs HOU (L)
Final: 2-14
Notes: Mike Nolan will get these guys to win..the same as last year. Yeah, they'll get better eventually..but the head coach is a Raven..I can't give them that much credit. #1 draft pick yet again.

NFC SOUTH:
Atlanta Falcons:
1. vs PHI (W)
2. @ SEA (W)
3. @ BUF (W)
4. vs MIN (W)
5. vs NE (W)
6. @ NO (L)
7. vs NYJ (W)
8. BYE
9. @ MIA (W)
10. vs GB (W)
11. vs TB (W)
12. @ DET (W)
13. @ CAR (L)
14. vs NO (W)
15. @ CHI (L)
16. @ TB (L)
17. vs CAR (W)
Final: 12-4
Notes: Falcons suprise class of the NFC on Monday night. I have no choice but to give the nod to them for homefield advantage, which makes them very dangerous. But Philly is hungrier after failing for so long, then coming so close last year. Atlanta is #1, makes it to the NFC Championship, but struggles and exits stage left.

New Orleans Saints:
1. @ CAR (W)
2. vs NYG (W)
3. @ MIN (L)
4. vs BUF (W)
5. @ GB (W)
6. vs ATL (W)
7. @ STL (L)
8. vs MIA (W)
9. vs CHI (W)
10. BYE
11. @ NE (L)
12. @ NYJ (L)
13. vs TB (W)
14. @ ATL (L)
15. vs CAR (W)
16. vs DET (L)
17. @ TB (W)
Final: 10-6
Notes: See bold predictions above.

Carolina Panthers:
1. vs NO (L)
2. vs NE (L)
3. @ MIA (L)
4. vs GB (W)
5. @ ARI (W)
6. @ DET (L)
7. BYE
8. vs MIN (W)
9. @ TB (W)
10. vs NYJ (W)
11. @ CHI (W)
12. @ BUF (W)
13. vs ATL (W)
14. vs TB (W)
15. @ NO (L)
16. vs DAL (L)
17. @ ATL (L)
Final: 9-7
Notes: I really like the Panthers, and would like to see them win more games. I'd be happy to be wrong if they did, but I can't think of a reason why they should.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers:
1. @ MIN (W)
2. vs BUF (W)
3. @ GB (W)
4. vs DET (L)
5. @ NYJ (L)
6. vs MIA (L)
7. BYE
8. @ SF (L)
9. vs CAR (L)
10. vs WSH (W)
11. @ ATL (L)
12. vs CHI (L)
13. @ NO (L)
14. @ CAR (L)
15. @ NE (L)
16. vs ATL (W)
17. vs NO (L)
Final: 5-11
Notes: Say goodbye to Gruden. I'd rather be a Steelers fan and win every year with no SB championship, then win 1 and suck every year after that.

FINAL NFC STANDINGS:
1. Atlanta Falcons (12-4) - NFC South Champ
2. Philadelphia Eagles (12-4) - NFC East Champ
3. Minnesota Vikings (10-6) - NFC North Champ
4. St. Louis Rams (9-7) - NFC West Champ
5. Dallas Cowboys (10-6) - Wildcard
6. New Orleans Saints (10-6) - Wildcard

Wildcard:
#6 NO @ #3 MIN - #6 NO
#5 DAL @ #4 STL - #4 STL
Notes: Minnesota will only be #3 because of a weak division. I believe the Saints will have the nation behind them, and are simply a better team. Dallas and St. Louis is a tossup pick, but I don't see both wildcards winning.

Divisional:
#6 NO @ #1 ATL - #1 ATL
#4 STL @ #2 PHI - #2 PHI
Notes: The Saints are that good, but no Cinderella stories this year. NFC Championship will be #1 vs #2.

NFC Championship:
#2 PHI @ #1 ATL - #2 PHI
Notes: Atlanta is dangerous at home, but Philly's been here 5 times, they know what to do, and after being at the door for 3 years, and so close to winning it all last year, they're hungry for a superbowl win. They won't get it, but they'll get the chance to try.

Superbowl XL:
Philadelphia Eagles @ Pittsburgh Steelers

The ever-so-wanted all-PA superbowl. The Eagles will be here again next year, or at least in the NFCC. They know it, and everyone else does. They want the title, but not as bad as us. Pittsburgh knows that in the AFC, if you have a lucky enough year that you can get by NE and the Colts, you BETTER capitalize and make it worthwhile. That's why the Steelers will finally win their 5th championship..because if not this year, then when?

So, it's shaping up to be a pretty kickass next few days...other than working 12-6 tomorrow, that is. I get to sleep in tomorrow, go to work, get picked up and taken down to Essex by Tara for the rest of the weekend. We're going to the drive-in that night, and Sunday is....STEELERS FOOTBALL! Waiting 6 months for football is entirely too long.

So Sunday is the much-awaited return of football, which will make for a great day in itself. Monday morning I work 7-12, and am revisiting my high school roots that evening. As the plan stands, me and Mr. Lockett will be going to York, getting together with a bunch of my old Vo-Tech brothers, and visiting good old deaf Mr. Warbritton during his night class. Should make for a very fun night.

In other news today, I received my weekly paycheck from Weis today. It is shown below:



Yes, that is correct. The Weis Markets payroll department decided to waste the time, ink, paper, and envelope to send me a check for nothing. Now, I did work hours that week..only three, so I would have gotten 18.90. However, this week, the Township is taking out an outrageous "Occupational Privelege Tax." No matter how much you make or where you work, you are getting $42 taken out of your check. Period. Now, from what I hear, some businesses were nice enough to split it up to about $5 a week, but not Weis. Instead, they deduct my ENTIRE paycheck (or 16.67 of it, the other 2.13 went to other taxes), and on top of it, I still owe them 25.23 out of my next check. Now, I already worked last week for free, basically. Considering that I owe 25.23, and make 6.30 an hour, the math says that between that and other taxes, I worked today (5 hours), for absolutely free. Not to mention that I haven't received any paycheck in three weeks, and am going to be without cigarettes all this week.

The SWCCG Player's Committee (link to right), made an announcement that they are looking for a new web designer today. I, of course, immediately sent them an e-mail with my resume and a link to the Ruinfate site to showcase my skill. It'd be very nice to get the job and give back to a game that has given so much to me. Plus it immediately moves me to the upper-class of that community.

Well, that will suffice for an update. Yes.

"Oh, that's right..I do have a livejournal.."

Well, it has been quite some time, my friends. Even more, considering it will take you a week from this date to realize I even updated. Well, since the last time I updated was mid-April, I guess I'll do a super cheap filler entry to cover the last 5 months. Only the positive. Some negative occured..if you know me well, you know most of this already, no need to darken the entry. Kthx.

Late April: - I am accepted into YTI. The high of the Tarheels win wears off pretty quickly, as every starting player goes into the NBA draft, meaning that UNC is going to suck..um..Tarheel balls...this season.

May: - Senioritis kicks in big time. Me and Tara end up not going to prom (negative event..no detail). With no sports at all to watch, the month drags by, filled with school, work, and sleep.

June: - Tara graduates. Hooray! I graduate. Hooray! Finally..now I can be responsible for everything! :sarcasm:. It is nice to be out of school. A week later, me and Tara hike up the Mountains App. for a cabin trip, since Joe Gi is uberl337 and got the keys to his grandparent's cabin. Great amounts of drinking and fun are had by all. Tara is the only victim of vomit that night. The next day, somewhat hungover, we leave and drive almost three hours back to my grandparents' in MD for Jessie's graduation party..where, despite my vow not to, I drink again. You do not know the meaning of headache.

July: - I rediscover my love for SWCCG (link to sites on the right), and proceed to blow several paychecks doubling, then tripling, my collection (stands at about 2,000-2,500 now). Unfortunately, the game has been out of print (not dead, however) since 2001, and Hanover is void of players. Sigh. The entire Sersen family takes a week off and rents a house at the Outer Banks of NC. Funnest vacation I have ever been on. I come back to Hanover, and fall my driver's test. Welcome back. Not to be discouraged, I reschedule as soon as I get home, and in...

August: I finally get my license. Thank the maker. No car yet, but it will come soon enough. Immediate family goes to Ocean City for a week, which I enjoy, since it's another week off work. Preseason begins. I do believe preseason only exists to irritate fans, infecting them with football fever a month before the season starts. Shane buys a brand new car..for whatever reason. Find myself tighter on money and proceed to stop buying SW cards for the moment.

This Past Week/Now:
Me and Tara celebrate our 5 month anniversary. Children complain about going back to school, me and Shane laugh. Me, because I don't go until October 19, Shane because he doesn't go at all. EVER! >_> Realize that my old friend Windows Longhorn has gone to beta and been renamed Windows Vista by the powers that be at Micro$oft. I download. After 3 days of downloading, and every hardware component on my pc failing, one at a time, it finally installs, and I am using now. It's not bad. Go down to Towson on..um..Friday?, and am reminded by Molly that I never update my LiveJournal..to which my reponse is, "Oh, that's right..I do have a livejournal.."

Which brings us to now. Why did I bring it back? Well, redecorating kind of satisified my interest in web design. And with football season coming, gas prices surging, Bush getting stupider, etc,etc...I have plenty to rant about. And it's not healthy to hold it in.

Stay Tuned.

Sorry I was tardy with my update, between work school and Tara I don't have a lot of free time. Umm...let's see. I get to see my baby tomorrow night....and Saturday..and Saturday night....and Sunday :D. Extremely excited, even if she doesn't think I am.

School's almost over, days are going really slow because of Senioritis and the fact that I have nothing to do, even in shop.

Work's ok. Just ok. I put in a note to get off Saturday nights and Sundays to see Tara, and amazingly, they listened to me.

Started gym class this marking period...it's fun, but gay. I didn't smoke as much last year as I do now...it shows.

I need another drink.

And food. so.

Fin.

The University of North Carolina men's basketball team, the UNC Tarheels, are the nation's 2005 Division 1 NCAA CHAMPIONS! :D :D :D Took me a while to update it, it hasn't really sunk in until I was looking at photos.


Rashad McCants holding up the trophy in front of the scoreboard.


McCants again with trohpy.


Roy Williams cutting down the nets for the first time, after coaching 17 years without a championship.


Team and coach with the trophy.


May and McCants celebrating...McCants was shown lying on the floor in shock for about 5 minutes on TV.


McCants celebrating again.


Jawad Williams celebrating as the final buzzer sounds.


Those are images that I'm going to save for a long time. Finally, one of my teams wins a championship. If only the Steelers can do it this year...I guess I'll start looking forward to that soon. But for now, I wear my dirty old UNC hat with pride!

Add a championship win to the fact that I got to unexpectedly see Tara all day, and it was a GREAT day :)

Wow, where to start...

Week started off not so great..lots of work, lots of school...but I kept looking forward to Thursday, when I actually had off, and got to see my Taha :) We were supposed to go prom dress shopping, but the mall had little to no selection, so we left there pretty quick and went to eat. Rented a movie, came back here, and hung out the rest of the night. I wasn't going to make any moves, but when she said something about never having a boyfriend for her birthday, which is in 2 weeks, I decided I had to ask..and she said yes :)

Right now I'm happier than I can ever remember, even better than the first time we went out. It's only been two days, but every day is a little bit better than the last, and everytime I hear her voice or see her get online, or see her beautiful smile, I fall in love all over again. It feels a little silly to say this so soon, but we're both a lot more grown up and mature this time, and it feels really serious. I can't see it failing. I've said that about relationships in the past..but this one is different. I can't describe it...but I just know that I'm sure about this, and I've never been so sure of anything before. She makes me the happiest man alive, and I'm loving every minute of it. I love you baby :-*

But that's the main reason why this is the best week ever, not the only one. UNC also beat Michigan St. by 16 tonight, and is playing in the national championship Monday night :D. I'm so glad one of my teams finally reached a championship game..the Steelers never can. After the luck I've had with Tara this week, I'd figured it'd be run out by tonight...but I'm just a very very very lucky man.

That's all for now. Just had to update because I promised I would if Tara made a LJ, which she did. So here you go, I'm a man of my word lol.

I'm not even gonna update on what happened this week, because it's nothing important..but I've come to the conclusion tonight that I'm done being a nice guy to everyone.

Being nice has gotten me nothing but stepped on, passed over, and a role as everyone's friend. While I'm giving everyone else what they need, I've completely neglected what I need. I'm tired of calling someone I like 5 times a day just to hear them talk about their boyfriend. And then he pisses her off, n she starts talking to me about getting back together, but 3 hours later...oops! Everything's fine again..but hey, thanks for being there. Yeah, no problem. I'm done biting my tongue and trying to be everybody's buddy. I'm tired of worrying about everybody else's wants, needs, and feelings, and not even paying attention to my own. So if you do something to piss me off, you're going to hear about it. If I have something to get off my chest that you don't wanna hear, tough. And if you don't like it, tough shit, don't talk to me. Because I do not care anymore. I'm looking out for myself, and that's it.

I found my hat!!! Got off the bus today, and there it was, right in the Exxon parking lot, at my bus stop. It's like a lost dog that comes back to find its owner...just sitting there waiting for me. So I picked it up, dusted it off, put it back on and walked home. It's dirty, of course, and a bit smelly...and the bill is cracked where the bus ran over it..but...I'm washing it now, and it should be wearable. W00t.

Anyway, went out with Shane tonight. Got some food at the Hungry Parrot...I like that place, except that it's giving Weis a lot more business, that I don't want. Then we got with Danielle and Kasey and went to the mall...I beat Shane's ass twice in air hockey..then for some reason the table stayed on and gave us two free games..so I beat him again, then Danielle beat him..not his night lol. Went to Taco Bell for Sarah's break...dropped her back off...we were gonna go bowling, but it was packed..some kind of league night. So we called it a night, and here I am.

Really looking forward to the 16th and Tara's bday party. Alan realized it's the same day as his prom, so hopefully he decides to go. Or at least decides to take me down there..Tara can take me back, so it's all good then. Have a prom date too, the aforementioned Tara. That's awesome as hell, and I'm actually really excited about that, even though I hate dances. So between those two and my birthday in a couple weeks, it should be a very good spring. :)

That's all for now. Leave a comment if you want. Peace nigga.

I hate wind. As a smoker, I've always disliked it, but after today, I want revenge. As I stepped off the bus, to start walking to work..as soon as I stepped off, this huge gust of winds blows right in my face...I made it, my hat was not so lucky. I turned around, and there it was, crossing the intersection between Baltimore and Grandview :(. Of course, I let it go, because I wasn't crazy enough to chase after it. But um..if you see a red Fox Racing hat anywhere in that area, let me know...I'll give some sort of cash reward. Thank you, that is all.

Damn, I gotta clean my room more often...found a lot of old, really sentimental crap.

Found pictures from Jessie's bday party from 3 million years ago when me, Alan, Shane, Tara, Sandi, n Pam were there...good picture of me and Tara in that, too. Also found a poem from a long time ago that Tara wrote me on a napkin lol...not sure if it's worth keeping..kinda raggedy now :/. And I finally found my old All-American Rejects cd, which reminded me of when Lauren was into them hardcore n I had to listen to them everytime I was in the car with her lol.

Sigh, I'm so emo lol.