Blog Title: Triple Tri Blog

Avery's role grows at WCU

http://newarkadvocate.com/article/20090108/SPORTS/901080346&referrer=FRONTPAGECAROUSEL Newark grad, Greg Avery is settling into his role on the Western Carolina basketball team: He's third on the team in steals and is averaging 3.5 rebounds. Avery has scored in double figures four times, putting up a season-best 17 points and six rebounds in a Nov. 28 win against Louisiana Tech. "It wasn't so much the speed of the game, but just learning my role," Avery said. "Just like at Newark you had a role, I had to learn my role here. It wasn't to be the main scorer, but I think I've learned my role, and it's starting to pay off." That role has changed since moving into the starting lineup, a transition that had him recalling his early days with the Wildcats. Straight from the WCU website Always great to see an athlete from my hometown making an impact out in the world. Good luck to Avery and the Catamounts ( Western plays App. State on 1/24 and 2/14 )

Microsoft's Ballmer touts 'best version of Windows ever'

http://www.cnn.com/2009/TECH/01/08/microsoft.ballmer/index.html Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer kicked off the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show on Wednesday with an impassioned endorsement of PCs and a sneak peek at the company's future Windows 7 operating system. As expected, Ballmer announced that Microsoft is releasing a beta version of Windows 7, which will be available for download beginning Friday. The news suggests the world's largest software maker may be giving up efforts to rehabilitate its often-maligned Vista operating system, which was released worldwide in January 2007. "We are on track to deliver the best version of Windows ever," Ballmer told an audience of several thousand tech professionals and journalists inside a cavernous ballroom at the Venetian hotel. "We're working hard to get it right and get it ready." Yeah. Like most versions of Windows, I'm going to stay away from it until the over looked bugs are taken care of. I know someone has to do the testing, and bend it every way possible (that's how bugs are found) but I am not the one for that. I am surprised how soon the release of the beta will be after the Vista surge. I thought Vista was going to be the "be all fix all" ?

Obama to warn of long recession if aid package delayed

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/08/transition.wrap/index.html President-elect Barack Obama on Thursday will urge Congress to move quickly on his economic aid package once he takes office, warning that a failure to do so would have devastating long-term consequences for the nation. "I don't believe it's too late to change course, but it will be if we don't take dramatic action as soon as possible," Obama will say, according to excerpts of his speech provided by a transition aide. "If nothing is done, this recession could linger for years," he is expected to say. In related news, Obama will never say "I like Duke basketball."

College Bowl Mania: 1/8/09

One final standings update before the final game tonight: RANK OWNER RECORD Pt. Remaining MAX TOTAL % 1 M. Hartz 19-14 1 364 363 89.3 2 B. Yonek 19-14 21 374 353 85.5 3 R. Fishman 18-15 34 382 348 83.4 4 M. Hoy 18-15 3 340 337 78.3 5 J. Kull 17-16 1 307 306 60.0 6 R. Smith 16-17 1 297 296 53.3 7 J. Henderson 13-20 1 253 252 25.1 8 E. Leighton 15-18 1 246 245 21.4 9 V. Hoy 11-22 2 198 196 4.8 10 A. Streetman 10-23 1 194 193 4.3 Not a ton of movement will take place after this last game, but a few things make shake up at the top of the board, depending on whether Florida or Oklahoma prevail tonight. Good luck to everyone.

Mangini agrees to coach Browns

http://sports.espn.go.com/nfl/news/story?id=3817088 The Cleveland Browns have agreed to hire former New York Jets head coach Eric Mangini as their head coach. Mangini, fired last week by the Jets, agreed to a four-year deal, a source close to the situation told ESPN.com's Michael Smith on Wednesday. A person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press that Mangini will be introduced Thursday at a news conference at the team's headquarters in Berea. I'm not on board with this at all. Here's why : Mangini began his NFL career as a ballboy with the Browns in 1994 under then-coach Bill Belichick. Now he's taking over the job of one of his best friends in football, fired Browns coach Romeo Crennel. Mangini went 23-25 and made the playoffs once in three seasons with the Jets, who stumbled down the stretch to lose four of their last five games and miss the playoffs after an 8-3 start. His QB was Brett freakin' Favre. Miles better than current Browns QB Anderson. So Mangini, prove me wrong. I'll leave you with this : After Bill Belichick failed in Cleveland, and Romeo Crennel failed in Cleveland, what could the Browns possibly expect from Eric Mangini? The disciples of Bill Belichick haven't exactly fared well in the NFL.

Sources: Smoltz could sign with BoSox

http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/news/story?id=3817694 John Smoltz has pitched his entire major league career with the Atlanta Braves, but he is on the verge of a deal with the Boston Red Sox, according to sources. Smoltz, 41, has pitched in 708 games for the Braves, winning 210 games and earning 154 saves. He has been been rehabilitating his shoulder since having surgery last season, and there have been reports that the has made excellent progress. This could be very good news for Boston: Assuming the Red Sox close out negotiations with Smoltz, they will go into spring training with six veteran starters -- Josh Beckett, Daisuke Matsuzaka, Jon Lester, Tim Wakefield, Brad Penny and Smoltz. Penny agreed to terms on a one-year, $5 million deal, and will be in Boston Thursday for his physical examination. No mention of Schilling in there --- has he hung it up for good ? Or, maybe he's considering the half season like Clemens instituted ?

Woman suspected of witchcraft burned alive

http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/asiapcf/01/08/png.witchcraft/index.html Wow --- this pretty well lays it out there: A woman in rural Papua New Guinea was bound and gagged, tied to a log and set ablaze on a pile of tires this week, possibly because villagers suspected her of being a witch, police said Thursday. Crickey.

T.O.P.: Cub Scout Pack 258

The Orion Project has launched a new website for Cub Scout Pack 258 from Carroll, Ohio. Head on over to the site and have a look around. As always, comment, questions and critiques are appreciated.

Utah is the "national" Champion

http://sports.espn.go.com/espnmag/story?id=3815656 Interesting article from ESPN The Magazine arguing why Utah is already the national champion and that the Oklahoma/Florida game won't really crown a champ. Some of the side rants (BCS, playoffs, etc.) are insightful as well. Give it a read.

Rube Goldberg Machine

http://www.chilloutzone.de/files/player.swf?b=10&l=197&u=ILLUMllSOOAvIF//P_LxP92A42lCHCeeWCejXnHAS/c Got this in an email at work and wanted to share it with you all. It's about 2 1/2 minutes of non stop maze action. These types of things are always neat to see, and this one has some incredibly clever things in it. Check it out.

Toledo announces 2009 Hall of Fame Class

http://letsgorockets.com/?p=135 I found this over at LetsGoRockets. (What a fantastic site). The authors here at Midnight Blue and Gold spent a game or two watching Pinkel pull out miracle wins and fantastic trick plays. I wasn’t a student at the University yet, but I did make the trip north to visit a friend who helped provide the music at the games during Pinkel’s last season and I must say that hearing that cannon shoot off 10 times in one game, now seems like a distant memory. Pinkel was a great coach and and even better person and gave the community something to be proud of. Here’s to you Gary Pinkel, and to the rest of the 2009 Hall of Fame class. Thank you all for representing the University and the city of Toledo with class. I couldn't have said it any better myself really, and hope the guys over there keep posting. Such insightful people. :>> That being said, hop over to the site and leave those guys some comments.

Jimmy Crum, Columbus sportscaster, dies

http://newarkadvocate.com/article/20090106/UPDATES04/90106012 Longtime Columbus TV sportscaster Jimmy Crum, known for both his loud sportcoats and his charitable work, has died. He was 80. Born James W. Crum on Oct. 21, 1928, he was known as “Jimmy” during his nearly half a century with WCMH-TV in Columbus. He joined the station shortly after its launch in 1949 and retired in 1994. Crum served as sports director for much of his time with the station. Crum once said there may have been better sportscasters but it was his community service that extended his career more than anything. He helped to raise millions of dollars for charities, particularly those helping children with disabilities. I remember seeing Crum on the news when I was growing up. A staple of sports in Central Ohio, I suspect many will say 'I remember him' when they come across this. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.