Congratulation to Mark Ingram for bringing home a Heisman Trophy for the University of Alabama. He is very deserving and an outstanding football player as well as an outstanding person. Roll Tide...
Courtesy of the University of Alabama
Monday, December 14, 2009
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Monday, December 7, 2009
Monday, November 30, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Monday, November 16, 2009
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Gino Toretta and Me
If you are an Alabama fan, then you love to see pictures of the last national championship the Crimson Tide won, the Sugar Bowl of 1992. Gene Stalling led an Alabama team with a top ranked defense, and an unproven quarterback (Jay Barker, who like myself, is a Hewitt-Trussville High School grad), against a undefeated Miami team. Alabama destroyed the Hurricanes and intercepted their quarterback 3 times. The Miami quarterback won the Heisman Trophy that year. His name was Gino Torretta. I had a chance speak with Gino last weekend at the Alabama v. South Carolina game. Roll Tide Gino...Roll Tide!
Monday, October 19, 2009
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Alabama vs. Ole Miss
Tiffin kicks five field goals to lead Bama past the Rebels
Roll Tide...
Courtesy of the Birmingahm News
Monday, October 5, 2009
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
New Blog Bonus: School Spirit
One of my fondest memories of high school revolves around my friends and their behavior at football and basketball games, particularly basketball games. Students from my school used to take up and entire section of the stands in the gym, paint themselves, make signs, and scream their lungs out for our team. They had cheers that everyone knew by heart, and sang as loud as they could. It was not uncommon to see 200 students at a basketball game on a Friday night, instead of out with their boyfriends or girlfriends. So...............
Here is my question. What is school spirit? Do we have any at Ashville? How does a person "get" school spirit? What can we do to improve school spirit? Do you have any school spirit? Explain.
Let me know what you think. Good answers would be appreciated!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
My Little Ladybug
She is growing up much too fast for me!!!!!!!! Thanks to Tim for the great work. You have a great talent!!!!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Monday, September 14, 2009
Healthcare debate bonus...
Thanks to all of the students and teachers who participated. I have closed the blog bonus section of the blog. You may still comment, but it will no longer be for extra credit. Be on the lookout for more blog bonuses soon!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Friday, August 21, 2009
First New Blog Bonus of the Year: National Healthcare
National Healthcare is all the rage now, or that's what some would have us believe. We currently have a health care system that is partially private, partially government funded. Many in the health care profession claim the government portion of the healthcare system is in a mess currently, with no foreseeable improvement. Others say that the private cost of personal health care insurance is out of the reach of many less fortunate American citizens. President Obama proposed a nationalized health care plan (i.e. mostly government controlled) when he was campaigning for the office of president. He is currently trying to get a national healthcare plan passed.
Here is a site that may be informative. Look at the mission of the site (at top under the MISSION tab) to determine what their motives are.
Now for the bonus.....What do you and your family feel about health care being run by the government? Would this be a good thing or a terrible thing? Let me know.
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Sipsey Wilderness
Sipsey Wilderness (part of Bankhead National Forest) is one of the most biologically diverse ares in Alabama. Not only does Sipsey contain great diversity of animal life, but it also has excellent landforms too! If you decide to go, be sure to camp overnight. My friends and I hiked 12 miles and 10 hours. Lots of fun, but also very sore!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, July 28, 2009
Sunday, July 19, 2009
Cool Path
More shots from Dismals Canyon. These rocks are about 35-50 feet tall on either side of the canyon. This is a little path off the beaten trail!
Saturday, July 18, 2009
Jericho Walls Alabama
This is a great hiden treasure of Alabama (and partially Tennessee). Jericho walls, so named for the rock formations, is a great place to hike and hang out. Put the xbox controller down, and go hike!
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Antietam Battlefield
Antietam Battlefield was visited by my family earlier this month. You can feel the history in the place. 27000 soldiers died in this square mile of land. It was the bloodiest single day of fighting in the entire war. You can practically hear the cries of the wounded and feel the silence of the dead. I wonder what they thought they were dying for? What made them take up arms against their own countrymen and fight in their own backyards? What could make me do such a thing?I wonder....
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Dismals Canyon
For those of you that think that there is nothing terribly interesting in Alabama as far as nature scenery goes, I must introduce you to Dismals Canyon. Three friends and I decided to take a trip up to North Alabama to a spot just north of Hamilton (past Carbon Hill where all the tornadoes hit!)
Dismals Canyon is a privately owned nature reserve that has some ridiculously gorgeous scenery. 60 foot tall bluffs, Canadian Hemlocks, and the creme de la creme....Dismalites. Now you may be asking yourself what a Dismalite is. It is a small creature that is found only in a few places on Earth. They actually are little worms that glow in the dark. You can take day tours of the canyon (which we did), or you can take night tours and see the Dismalites. I will be posting some pictures of the canyon on the Geography and You Blog (some of the pics were taken by my buddy Tim)!
Enjoy
Wednesday, June 3, 2009
Friday, May 29, 2009
Little River Canyon
What have you got planned for this summer? Don't waste your time! Get out and see what God has done with the place!
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Turtle Creek Design Challenge
Mr. Johnson created this track for the Turtle Creek Design Challenge. The students did an excellent job designing and racing their Pine Car Derby racers. The designs were crazy and fast. Congratulations to Julia and Crimson for winning the overall contest. Great job!
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Monday, March 23, 2009
Blog Bonus: SAT Time
The new Bonus revolves around an issues that will be near and dear to your hearts for the next couple of weeks. SAT testing is coming up and will be here before you know it. So here is the question:
Why is the SAT important to you, our school, our system?
Think through this before you answer. I will give you a hint. They ARE important to all of us. Thats right, when we do good we prosper. When we do poorly we suffer. So let me know what you think.
This Blog Bonus will be due next Tuesday (March 31).
Monday, March 2, 2009
Blog Bonus 7 and 8: Archery...Sport or Hobby
First of all, you guys did great with the last bonus. Almost 60 of you received a 25 point bonus on your overall grade for participating. We had some visitors comment on your post (Mr. Johnson dropped by), and some great classroom discussion was developed, which in case you didn't know is the point of the entire thing!
So, being true to my word, I am giving you another bonus opportunity. This question is a little more drawn out.....
Our school's archery team has recently won the Alabama State Archery Championship (again!). We are all very proud of the team and their continued success. They practice early and late, and put in more hours than most of the other sports combined. However, the question has been asked by a few students from the other sports, "Is Archery a sport, or is it a hobby?" Now, to be fair, the students who have asked this question have said they are proud of our archery team either way, but I thought I would give everyone a chance to chime in. So here it is........
What makes an activity a sport, and is archery one?
Although I have personally stated to several of our students that I believe archery to be the very definition of a sport, you do not have to agree with me. Answer what is on your mind and what you really think. Remember to be respectful whatever your position is. To get your credit you must answer the entire question. Give examples and use your mind. The best argument can claim victory. The deadline for answers will be next Thursday (March 12). Good luck and may the force be with you!
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Great Posts so Far
You guys have done a really good job with the posting on "Blog Bonus". Even Mr. Johnson chimed in with his thoughts. If you are having problems posting, you may have computer issues. I have repeatedly checked the site and found no issues on my end. If you click on the link just below each separate post you can find where you should comment. Remember, if you choose to post anonymously, you need to leave your name so I can give you credit. Good job!. This makes me want to give you more chances for this kind of stuff in the future!
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Bonus Blog 7th and 8th
Due to it being "that time of year" when we are all stuck inside and the weather is nasty, I have decided to offer a blog bonus. In the comment section below, let me know what you think needs to happen to improve the overall quality of education in AMS. In other words, If you were principal, what would be the first few things you would change. Serious answers only please. Make sure you put your name on your response. I have to approve the comment before it is posted, so be patient, it may take a day or so to appear. Deadline for all comments is next Thursday, February 26th.
Friday, February 6, 2009
New Addition to the Idiot Brigade
I would like to introduce all of you football fans out there to the newest addition to the idiot brigade. He used to be an official member of the peanut gallery, but now has moved in ranking to the brigade. His name is Lane Kiffin, and he is now the head coach of UT Volunteers. he has bragged about stealing coaches, players, and other staff member, dogged other SEC coaches, and apparently does not know SEC rules!
And I thought Fulmer was bad...........
Friday, January 9, 2009
IT'S TEBOW TIME
Let me preface this piece by saying I am a HUGE Alabama fan! My love for the Crimson Tide runs deep and burns bright in my heart. When the Tide loses, I lose. When the Tide wins, I win.
Anyhow, when it become necessary for me to pull for other teams because Alabama is either not playing or already done, I have a few favorite backups. One of those is Florida. I have always enjoyed watching Florida play. When they are hitting on all cylinders, they are unstoppable. And you cannot talk about Florida without talking about Tim Tebow. He is a man among boys. He is probably one of the greatest college quarterbacks in modern football history. All that, and he still has a year of eligibility left.
However, despite all his on field achievements, one of the best aspects of his character is his accomplishments off the field. Tebow is a devoted Christian. He spend much of his free time either overseas on mission trips, speaking at prisons, or ministering to groups around Gainesville. He is a what young people need to look up at. It has been a while since athletics have given us someone with this much ability AND this much character. Kids can look up to Tebow as an athlete, person, christian, and role model.
Way to go Tebow. God bless!
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
FLICKR
As I wrote previously, I have been introduced to photography. It is fun to capture nature, family, and just about anything else that captures my eye. It has become one of my favorite hobbies/obsessions. That being said, everyone loves to have their pictures viewed by others! I know many of you have cameras you received for Christmas. Why don't you try your hand at photography. You need not have some ridiculously expensive camera, nor do you need to have a degree in photography to begin taking cool pictures. Start snapping picture of things around you. Whatever interest you would be fine! I keep my camera with me when I ride to and from work. I try and take a few pictures each day.
One way we can all enjoy each others pictures and comment on them is through FLICKR. No, I did not misspell it. Go to http://www.flickr.com/ and register for a user name. Its free. Add me as a contact. My user name is "firefocus". (I could not think of anything else!). Feel free to comment on my pictures. Let me know if any of you sign up so I can add you also! Have fun!
Monday, January 5, 2009
Israel vs. Hamas
Lets look at a hypothetical situation....
Say you wake up one day and hear that Canada has begun to shoot rockets into America. Now granted, they are only hitting North Dakota and Minnesota, but they are hitting American soil. What would you suggest the course of action be? Should we just let it go on without any repercussion? Should we try to negotiate? Or should we blast them into the stone age? Hmmmmmmm. Let me think about it.
Israel is facing much the same problem. Hamas militants are launching rockets into Israel. Israel is responding by bombing Hamas positions and entering Palestine (which they gave back 2 years ago under cease fire conditions). Are they doing anything wrong? I think not! They have every right to defend and protect the land they live in. Yet some would say they are doing it all wrong. Many newspaper columnist have come out in support.....of Hamas! Are you kidding me?
Just another example of the messed up world we live in!
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Hello 2009
What will happen this year? Lord only knows...literally! I hope it will be a good year. However, one thing I learned from last year is that good things and bad things will happen. The measure of me is determined by how I handle these events. Will I turn to God, or sulk? Will I love those around me with a fierceness that the Lord requires? Wow....I sure hope so.
Live life full speed! Listen to God!
Good-by 2008
This year will go down in my life as one of the best, and also as one of the worst. God decided again to see how much I really trust him, and how deep my faith is. He gave me a new daughter, that adores me from the time she wakes until sleep closes her eyes each night. He allowed me the foresight to turn down coaching opportunities in lieu of spending more time with my son, my daughter, and my wife. Then he decided he wanted my son back in heaven with him, and so, on November 11th my son returned to his heavenly father. God is good!
So now 2008 is gone, and along with it another year of my life. However, the wonderful thing about a year passing is that a new one has begun. God is giving me a chance to right the wrongs of the past year and and grow into a more mature christian! God is good!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)