Blue Ridge blog

Being a sad Mountaineer is only temporary...

The sting from yesterday's loss to Richmond isn't nearly so bad this morning...especially after having gone through all of my images and finding a couple of gems such as this one of my friend leaning on his camera on the sideline yesterday. I also enjoyed posting a ton of ASU fan photos over the last couple of years on my blog and win or lose, I will continue to do so because documenting the fervent spirit of ASU fans at The Rock is a phenomenon currently unique to the NCAA Football Champions Subdivision. ASU fans do spirit way better than just throwing silly streamers around. They cheer their team even in defeat. Way to go guys. You've done us proud and I can't wait to see what you do season.

I've posted a photo album of the game here.

Somebody had to lose and today it was finally our turn...

Don't worry kid, maybe next year Santa will wear black and gold again. Until then, keep your chin up and remember that every day is indeed a great day to be a Mountaineer. Go App! App State falls to the Richmond.

I will be working on a photo album this evening, but it may be tomorrow before it is posted. I'm going to post a ton of photos because...I want to.

*Update*

It's ok kid, you weren't the only one upset. Here's a shot of Quick consoling Coco. We are all Appalachian, afterall.

Appalachian State Football = Southern Conference Champs again, again, again and again.

That makes four in a row. Under wet, windy weather, the Mountaineers defeat the Elon Phoenix 24-16 at The Rock on Saturday. The photo is of Matt Cline scoring in the first half.

It was part freak show and part Thriller...

The football game between nationally ranked powerhouses #2 Appalachian State vs #3 Wofford was suppose to be a bit more competitive than it turned out to be. Instead, ASU  won 70-24, humiliating the Terriors on ESPN2 Halloween Eve. The Rock turned into what I imagine would happen if the creatures from the bar scene in Star Wars all did the Monster Mash. The band made my evening during half time as they played Thriller and at one point, put down their instruments and danced like zombies. And the ASU defensive zombies were hungry to eat the brains of their foes Friday night. Don't believe me? Check out this photo. Nom Nom Nom.

My photos start here with the lovely pirate while both App Fan and Go ASU have substantial photos and game info.

The hole story...

On the work front:

Most work mornings I walk to the top floor of the library parking deck and survey the Appalachian Kingdom. I am attracted upward because the early light has never been the same and because I can be alone for just a few minutes. It is a new ritual.

On the home front:

"Would you completely hate me if I got my tongue pierced. I'm going to do it anyway no matter what you say."

That was the text message my youngest daughter sent me yesterday.

I did not freak. Instead, I whipped around my chair and asked my Google Guru, Gnumoon, for help.

"Quick, find a rational reason why my youngest should not get her tongue pierced," I pleaded.

Gnumoon made quick magic on the keyboard and blurted, "Brain Abscess. She might get a brain abscess," she reported.

So I text messaged my daughter back and in the same tone that the adults tell Ralphie why he shouldn't get a Red Ryder BB Gun I typed,

"You'll die of a brain abscess, kid. Just google it for yourself."

Later in the evening, youngest did do some internet searching on the subject and the horrifying  images of infected tongues and brain abscesses convinced her to reconsider.

Whew. Another bullet is dodged.
She turns 18 in a week and longs to get something pierced to, ya know, like make a personal statement about being an adult  <eye roll>. I asked her to get her ears double pierced, but she wasn't buying it. The belly button is out because she has to dance for the next couple of months and it will chaffe 'neath a tutu. And any facial piercings may make her father and dance teachers' heads explode.

I reckon we'll just have to wait and see what she comes up with....

...BTW, I don't have a problem at all with piercing or tats on anyone but my daughters. It is a parent thing, I reckon.

S'no news and good news....

And I looked out the window this afternoon and it was snowing quarter-sized flakes. Just as suddenly as the white deluge started, it ceased.

So probably the biggest news around our house these days is that I can now breathe through my nose sans the aid of my beloved Afrin Pumpmist. I'm less snuff-ly and that makes everyone in close proximity to me a bit more comfortable...

In other delightful news:

1) My eldest is 100% committed to transferring to ASU next fall. The deposit is in the mail and she is
deliriously happy to return up the mountain. "I can't wait to play in the ASU orchestra, join the ASU
cycling team and take classes with less than 300 people in them," she told me this weekend.
2) My youngest has now been accepted to her 2nd, 3rd and 4th choice colleges. She's still waiting to
hear from her 1st choice. Her first choice, which rhymes with 'Bapalachun,' is a stretch given her SAT
scores and the lateness her high school transcripts were submitted to the university (NOT her fault). Yet
youngest is in a good place with her fate and is now pondering her possibilities. Her 2nd choice
school is 7 long hours away from home, and in another state. It is a small-ish, yet growing university,
ideally suited for her personality and academic goals. "I'm so over high school and can't wait to meet
new friends," she confided this evening as we talked about upcoming visits to her 2nd and 3rd choice
schools.
3) My new job is going great. Of course, I'm in that all important probationary period so I still have to bite
my tongue;) regarding the fine folk I'm working with. JK don't ya know? I've never been a part of a
creative 'dream team' before and well, this feels good.

Presenting Uno, Dos and Tres....

Last night I waited in the field house at Kidd Brewer Stadium for the last fans to leave so I could introduce 'Trey' to his siblings, Kenny and Junior. It was a sweet Appalachian Family moment...the kind that go into the baby's photo album.
Note: See how the 2005 trophy has Div 1-AA while the others are FCS.

See who is talking about our Apps around the blogosphere...
Begin here: The App Fan blog is prolific as usual about all things Appalachian.
Southern Suburbia's Chirstmas wish came true.
Gnumoon has a sweet game day memory to put in her own photo album.
Wx-or-not was at the game too. He's got a nice round -up collection of video and photos of Chattanooga.
Musing from the hinterland, R. Sherman says App State is his favorite FCS team.
While in the middle of a Maine blizzard Melissa says, "Three-Peat or Michigan Who? Indeed.

Other items of interest...
Fan I.Q. talks about Delaware's Mark Duncan chucking the ball at a sideline security guard and links to the video.
My opinion: It is a small thing. Let it go. At least Delaware fans didn't riot.
John Armstrong comments on Appalachian's season. "It was no fluke," he says.
The Bleacher Report suggests App State should play in the ACC and ramp up the competition.
I say, "No thanks."
I enjoy playing in a strong football conference.

Appalachian State 49- Delaware 21

It is 7 a.m. and I was awaken by some Appalachian State students jumping into the pool outside the Choo Choo Hotel. They haven't gone to bed since beating Delaware in the FCS title game here in Chattanooga. My favorite quote of the game came from ASU Chancellor Peacock last night during the pep rally in the pavillion outside Finley Stadium.
"I think we are going to have to start calling this the Appalachian Invitational," Peacock said as he held up a rubber chicken painted blue.

I was nervous before the game, but the Appalachian offense and defense came out and made some substantial plays early on. This was the first ASU game of the season when I didn't feel like I was gonna have a cardiac arrest. Thank you, ASU.

Now we have three championship trophies. The newest one is called, "Trey," of course.

It is official. Appalachian State is hot, hot, hot.

You can read all abou the game in the Washington Post, Sports Illustrated, USA Today and of course, The Blue Ridge Blog. I'm laughing with you...

Much, much more later. Need to travel back to Boone and beat the snow/ice event.

On Appalachian State and Alpacas...

This post is for all of you who visit my blog and don't give a flip about Appalachian State football. You have to keep the faith and know that after tomorrow night, ASU football will be history, and hopefully will make history, and then chill out till next season. For those of you who really do care about ASU participating in the FCS football championship in Chattanooga, I promise to post images as soon as I get to the Choo Choo at midnight. Hopefully, Typepad doesn't go into full-fletch maintenance mode as it has for the past two years...in which case, you'll just have to wait till Saturday, sometime...

So the top photo is what it looks like through the lens of the camera right before an alpaca tries to french kiss the sky filter. Alapaca spit smears, just so you know. I was at a choose and cut farm on Junaluska Rd...near the spot of my favorite not-so-in-tact Rock House.

Now 'scuse me while several thousand Appalachian State fans and I move "The Rock" from Boone to Chattanooga. Watch the the game tomorrow night on ESPN2 at 8 p.m. EST.
How to see me? I'll be one of several girl photogs carrying a big lens and wearing black. Ifn' anything, I'll be a big ol blur while Armanti Edwards and team streak past me...so don't strain your eyes looking for me, just do some 'Go Apps!' cheers at the television and make me hAPPy.

Oh and, Coach Jerry Moore had some funny comments about the paper I work for. Just to clarify his statement about the 'one camera.' It is mostly true, except I own my own cameras and glass. All the others have to fight over the pool gear. But yes, we do only come out three times a week. Moore faithfully comes in each year to purchase a subscription for his mother so she can keep up with her son's work. Smile.

Edwards for Heisman? Let's just get through tomorrow night, then we'll ponder...