Join me next week on Wednesday (7/9) at 1pm PST when I get a chance to interview the organizers of RE BarCamp on why they are putting this event together and what they hope to accomplish!

So, who am I going to grill?   Andy Kaufman, Brad Coy, Todd Carpenter and Jay Thompson have all confirmed that they'll be on the call.  It's a great group of people, so I'm positive it will not only be fun, but we're likely to cover a lot of ground including:

• What is BarCamp?   And what is going to happen there that won't happen at RE Connect?
• What type of person do you think will get the most value out of RE BarCamp?
• If someone wants to help you guys organize, how should they get involved?

But I also want to include your questions, so feel free to log into the chat or call into the show just like the typical 4realz Roundtable...

However, what's up with the name: 4realz DeepDive?

Ever since I started doing the 4realz Roundtables, I've wanted to have a channel to talk more specifically about individual products (and especially product launches) with company executives, or in this case, talk about events with event organizers.

On a DeepDive conversation, I'm going to limit the number of guests who are "on air" the entire show to just me and the official guests.  However, using a format more standard in the radio industry, I'm plan to unmute listeners if they have specific questions they want to ask people on the show!   No doubt that this format is just an experiment and you, the listeners, will be the judge if it works or not!  ;)

By the way, I've been doing something similar, where I interview just one person per show, on Rain City Radio for the past few weeks, and I can see how that format could really compliment the 4realz Roundtable discussions!

Also worth noting...

At the request of more than a few people from the East Coast, I'm going to try a new time slot for next week's 4realz Roundtable... (That's right, there's going to be 2 shows next week: a Roundtable and a DeepDive!) Next week's roundtable discussion will be on the usual day (Thursday), but at a new time (1pm PST).

And next week should be great as we're going to cover how the Cuomo/Fannie Mae/OCC appraisal rule changes are going to change the mortgage brokerage industry.   This is a topic that was suggested to me by two people after the very first roundtable on the DOJ/NAR settlement conversation, so I'm glad that we get to make this happen!   I've already confirmed Jonathan Miller of the Matrix as a guest on the show, so i know it is sure to be both interesting and informative.

If there is one thing no game lacks is enviroment, even at the beginning of gaming, with the likes of Pong and Asteroids, the enviroment was always there bringing the context and rules of the world. As the industry evolved new ways of interaction started to surface and the role of the enviroment started to gain depth. It started to mature. I would go as far as saying that nowdays it's the one kind of relationship in games that we can truly say has improved over time.

The simplest and most analized part of this relationship is the level design, which always takes into account the character's abilities. Having an impossibly large pit would pretty much prevent all players from advancing and would be considered game breaking. So all enviroments without exception are designed with the characters abilities in mind. Normally every single goal presented to the player is achievable if the relationship is straightforward like most games, but sometimes designers get creative and screw with players expectations to suprise them, so there's no rule without exceptions (except this one...). Mechanics-wise the enviroment is there to present the fundamental rules of the particular game's world. Within these rules, the player is free to experiment and interact as much as he pleases, learning in the process. So this new knowledge is then put to good use when it's time to decide the next course of action. Of course there are some games that are so similar to others that the learning phase is almost missing, nevertheless it's still there, because no game is exactly like any other (except if they use the same engine... but you get what I mean).

There's much more to it though, the enviroment is not there to only bring challenges to the player and knowledge to learn, of course not. How bioshock would be like if everything was set in the middle of a generic space station? (Leaving every bit of level design intact). It would most certainly kill all the context* that pours out the crumbling rusted underwater art deco city. So context is a really a powerful feature that can tighten the relationship. Further more it is most often the single feature that distinguishes one game from another, since mechanics are copyed and refined with little differences from game to game.

Survival Horror games tend to rely heavily on the context to highten the relationship. There's always some kind of limited field of view that brings uneasiness to the player in adittion to the rundown places and eerie music (or even better, disturbing silence). In this type of games sometimes the actual enviroment is out to kill the character with things like crumbling floors, moving statues and paranormal object behaviors. This can be thought of as a master-slave relationship where the player has to be on his toes at every moment if he wants to survive. Being a slave to the enviroment is a powerful experience that is really hard to pull off in other ways, but that doesn't stop us designers from trying.

There is literaly too many different and interesting types of relationships in this industry and I'm afraid I haven't even touched the surface (no, scratch that, I'm excited).

* Just to clarify, I'm using the word context here to refer to atmosphere, story and characters.

Please visit the Round Table’s Main Hall for links to all entries.

The Roundtable Technology Exchange, a pre-conference event for Face the Future: Humanities and Technology in the 21st Century, is sponsored by the Alabama Department of Archives and History, the Alabama Humanities Foundation, the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, the Alabama Writers' Forum, the Caroline Marshall Draughon Center for the Arts & Humanities in the College of Liberal Arts at Auburn University, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and the Troy University Rosa Parks Museum.

RTE will feature a free seminar on e-marketing and communications by Patron Technology, Inc., provider of professional e-marketing for arts, nonprofits, and creative businesses. Patron Mail suits nonprofit and educational organizations of all sizes and at all levels of technology. The seminar will have something for everyone.

Break-out discussion sessions on technology and education, development, and communications/promotion will follow the seminar.

The Roundtable Technology Exchange is free and open to all interested. Click here to register.

Vraiment pratique et simple à installer (du plug-and-play en USB ;) ) 

As part of my hunt for new marketing tools for agents, I'd love to take on a relevant topic similar to how we took on tracking and analytics for agents last week.

With that in mind, I'm planning for Thursday's discussion to focus on tech tools that help agents serve sellers better.... And here's where you come in.   What types of technologies and/or tools should we cover?

Some thoughts that come to my mind include single property websites and listing syndication services... But I know there is more? What about tools that help agents get sellers to price properties more appropriately like Altos Research Reports?

I'd love to hear from you about the technology tools available to agents that can help them serve sellers better!   In particular agents, if there is some tricks or tips you'd be willing to share, I'd love to hear from you and potentially get you on the show!

Also of interest, I've started summarizing the relevant websites taken from our previous Roundtables on social networking, home valutions and analytics for agents within the Tool Shed!

UPDATE:

What an awesome crew we had on the call today:

• Kris Berg
• Jay Thompson
• Jim Duncan
• Ted Mackel
• Michael Price
• Mike Mueller
• Andy Kaufman

If you're an agent looking to increase your knowledge on how to use simple technology tools to increase your business, here are just some of the tools that were mentioned in the podcast:

• Docusign. Kris: a religious experience...
• Point2Agent.  Jay: Robust listing syndication
• Altos.  Great reports
• Transaction Point. Kris: Great tool.... While Ted says Relay drives him crazy and he is almost better going paper.
• eFax #3 on the list of tools that Kris "couldn't live without"
• Real Estate Shows is a great tool

Some great stuff!   Thanks again to everyone who took part!  For everyone else, you can listen to this edition of the 4realz Roundtable here:

[audio http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-20339/TS-124626.mp3]

We will be meeting at the Book People Cafe on Saturday the 28th at 4:30pm. I made a little table sign with the RoundTable logo that will be on display.

Book People
603 N Lamar
Austin, TX 78703

Please RSVP by the morning of the 28th. I look forward to seeing you there!

1) Thanks to Roy Kramer legacy scheduling, Bama is in it’s “road year” when most of the great games will be on the road and season tickets basically are buy one (Iron Bowl) get seven free. You get to swap one home game for one road game. What’s your call?

Roll Bama Roll: I'm assuming they meant a road conference game, but since they didn't say conference game, nerts to that. We're headed to the Superdome to play Tulane and we're welcoming UT back to Tuscaloosa since BDS has been amusingly unkind (a nailbiting defensive struggle right down to the wire + a humiliating blowout=best of both worlds, fatty) to the Vols the last two times they've visited.

Picture Me Rollin': Kentucky for Georgia. Are you kidding me? That’s a no-brainer. That took like 2.6 seconds. Next! (I’d normally trade anything to keep from going to Fayetteville but that is a very winnable road game.)

2) After Clemson, our Non-Con schedule is pretty weak. You are able to trade any one them for any BCS team in the country. Who and why?

We've got a couple of suckers here....

DBH Dance Party: I'm a sucker for old rivalries, so we'll ditch Western Kentucky for Georgia Tech. Two trips to Atlanta in the same year (with the possibility of a third)? It's win-win, baby! Also, 'Bama fans get to witness one of the weirder football traditions in the country, shown below:

PMR: I’m a sucker for traditional match ups and after going there and really enjoying the fans and the games - well, other than losing both - I’d have to go with Oklahoma. Note to Mal Moore: Schedule another series with the Sooners.

3) You can bring back one player from Alabama history to play in his college condition. Who do you want?

Four of the six went with Derrick Thomas. He was one of a kind....

BSR: I don’t want to directly copycat the guys at Third Saturday in Blogtober, so I won’t say Cornelius Bennett. I’ll go with Derrick Thomas instead. We need help at linebacker. No doubt about it. Those are guys who can help us at linebacker. Thomas had the speed, power and skill to dominate a game like no other player I’ve ever seen.

It’s almost cliche in these circles now, but the Penn State game in 1988 prompted Brent Musberger to exclaim “Folks, this is the greatest individual defensive effort I have ever witnessed.” And it was. Thomas was frequently a marvel, but never more than that afternoon. The score was 8-3, and Thomas was directly responsible for 2 of those points when he sacked Penn State quarterback Tony Sacca in the end zone for a safety.

Also, Thomas had 2 individual seasons with more sacks (27 in 1988 and 18 in in 1987) than Bennett had in his entire career (15). Derrick’s career total of 52 is more than twice the 2nd place total on Bama’s all-time chart.

Certainly other Bama linebackers like Bennett, Demeco Ryans, Dwayne Rudd, and of course the great Lee Roy Jordan would be great choices. But in the modern game, there has been no linebacker that made more plays, or dominated in any way close to Derrick Thomas.

I miss DT.

DBH: Ummmmm ... Paul Bryant? The one who played on a broken leg? Can we bring him back?
(Sorry -- I'm fulfilling a stereotype when I do that, I know. I couldn't help myself.)
For players from recent history who should be brought back in their original collegiate condition, I'll say Freddie Kitchens. And the following rules are in place:
• He's not allowed to play baseball.
• He's required to come eat with our dietician twice a day.
• We're going to hypnotize him into thinking he's playing Auburn every game.

4) Frankly, the idea of non-traditional food at a stadium is borderline sacrilegious. Still, the change is coming whether you like it or not, so it might as well benefit you. Gone will be the stale soft pretzels and nacho cheese. You get to pick one thing to replace it.

Uncle Rico: i've actually never been a nachos and/or pretzels guy at any stadium. i've just never really dug the soft pretzels, and i think (at the risk of sounding snobby) i just prefer a better quality queso than cheez whiz from a ladle. i'm more of a burger and hot dog guy. in any event, if i must go non traditional, how about some kind of bbq?? i mean it is alabama. what about the mcalister's style big ass baked potato?? maybe you could even combine the potato and bbq thing. as a louisiana boy i'd love it if someone borrowed someone's jambalaya recipe for bryant denny's use.

BSR: I disagree with the premise of this question, but I’ll tell you what I wish they’d bring. Hot garlic buffalo wings from Buffalo Phil’s or Wings. There’s no better wings in the world than those laced with a hot garlic sauce and these two are the best in the business about it. There’s discussion to be had about the regular flavors, but none about the hot garlic.

I don’t know if they invented the hot garlic wing at the Anchor Bar, but I’ve had that flavor at many many places over the years. There was a bar just off campus in Lexington that came close. I had a brief flirtation with Buffalo Wild Wings. Piranha’s Bar & Grill in Nashville does them up nicely with fresh Parmesan. But Phil’s and Wings continue to duel for my permanent affection.

Don’t ask me to choose just one or the other. I can’t.

DBH: (I skipped question 4 out of protest.)

5) Since we would never wish injury upon another player, let’s say the President calls and says you can send one player from an opponent’s team to Guantanamo Bay before the game. Who do you pick and why?

RBR: I know a lot of people are going to pick Knoshon Moreno, but he's a cog in the machine as far as I'm concerned. An incredibly important one, don't get me wrong, but with him gone it's not like UGA is going to fall apart, curl up into a fetal ball, and pray for the season to be over. They still have Stafford, who is a good QB, a bunch of talented receivers, and something like nine (too lazy to look it up, but I think that's right) returning starters on defense, so sending Moreno away isn't a guaranteed game changer for the Tide. Same with a lot of the other big name players we are going to face. James Davis? Still have to worry about C.J. Spiller. Trindon Holliday? LSU will still have an NFL caliber defense to contend with. Arian Foster? Vols have all three leading receivers returning and an enviously good o-line that could be the best in the leauge, and so on and so on. But Jevan Snead? Man, if that guy had been under center for the Rebels the last two years, we'd be 0-4 against the state of Mississippi since 2006. If Ole Miss is going to make some noise and actually finish games this season like I think they will it will be because they finally have a BCS caliber player at QB and a slightly less mad man making the decisions on the sidelines. Take away Snead, and the Rebels offense goes back to being merely loaded with potential yet likely to implode in a flurry of foolish and avoidable turnovers and missed opportunities, so if we're going to send someone to Gitmo it might as well be someone who's absence will have so much impact on their team that a win is almost assured for Alabama because of it. Now if we're just sending them off to live with terrorists and be subjected to brutal interrogations because we plain don't like them, then Anthony Johnson is due some waterboarding.

URT: given that bama doesn't have the gators on the schedule this year, i'm going to say mr. moreno. again this goes back to the whole lb problem. i think the defense can do what it takes to slow down stafford and the passing game, but moreno may very well slice and dice the tide.

'Twas another successful week for the Roundtable, even if there was an abstainer or two. Looking at you Tide Druid.

Be aware of local recycling initiatives and use them

SLA wrote an incredible article in its April 2008 issue about green behaviors at conferences. It has an impressive list of resources.

Not a member of TFOE? Think about joining!

So we polled four writers here at The Dish (including myself), and asked them the following question:

If you were to draft a standard 5x5 roto team in a non-keeper league today, who would your top 5 hitters and top 5 pitchers be?

Read on to find out how many of these studs you have on your roster, and see if Edinson Volquez can keep up his blistering first-half pace...

The Fantasy Sports Columnist:

Hitters:

1. Hanley Ramirez - I was telling anyone who would listen to take him over A-rod #1 to start the year. You cannot beat his combination of position, power, steals and batting average. Having him as your shortstop gives you a huge advantage.
2. Chase Utley - After stealing only 9 bases last year, he is on pace for 15-20 this year. That makes him that much more valuable. The rest of the numbers are automatic. Oh and he plays second base.
3. A-Rod - I was going to leave him off because third base is proving to be so deep, with Chipper, Braun, and Wright just to name a few, but you cannot deny A-Rod's talent; the Yankees will need him this summer, I have a feeling he will deliver.
4. Matt Holilday - He was tearing it before getting hurt. He was a top five player last year, he will have a big second half.
5. David Wright - I see a .276 batting average and all that says to me is he is due to hit about .350 the rest of the way to go with his power and speed.

Pitchers:

1. Scott Kazmir - He has pretty much been unhittable all year and led the league in K's last year and will lead the league the rest of the way this year.
2. Jake Peavy - Proved he was healthy his last start. He will dominate the rest of the way.
3. Tim Linecum - 2.21 ERA and more than a K per 9. Enough said.
4. Jonathan Papelbon - He is better than Rivera.
5. Roy Halladay - Only thing that can stop him is health. He is striking guys out again and his WHIP is at about 1.00

You can read more of The Fantasy Sports Columnist’s work at his website by clicking here, and you can email him at thefantasysportscolumnist@rotodish.com

Wildpitch20

Hitters:

1. Hanley Ramirez - He is the best offensive player in baseball right now. No one makes a team go like this guy (fantasy or otherwise). While he bats out of the lead off position, his RBI may lag slightly but that's not for lack of power. 35-35 season is not out of the question, he has the talent to bat .300 as well with 120 runs and an OPS around .950. There are plenty of other weapons in that Marlins lineup so teams won't be able to pitch around him, and even if they do, he'll simply swipe a few more bags. He is the player with the best full repertoire in baseball right now.
2. Lance Berkman - Don't expect 11 more steals from the guy (that's already his career high) but do expect about 40 HR with 120 RBI and runs with an average in the .330s. If Berkman does manage to keep up his base larceny, he easily surpasses Hanley for number one on this list, I just don't see that happening.
3. Chipper Jones- Chipper could wind up defining the 2008 season. He's improved his hitting from both sides of the plate at the ripe age of 36, and he's doing it better than anyone else in the world right now at a .414 clip. He's seeing the ball so well right now and his incredible average also boosts his other percentages, putting him as the league leader in OBP and OPS as well. His run producing numbers aren't quite that of Berkman and he won't steal more than a handful of bags on those old haunches, but he has a reasonable opportunity to make history and break the .400 mark this year, which would be a historic feat in real life and a valuable one in fantasy.
4. Chase Utley - Normally Utley would get a bump for putting up monster numbers at a weak position, but this year second baseman are swinging the bat superior to just about any other position. Still, Utley's numbers are and will be gorgeous no matter what position he played. He could hit 45 bombs, bat .320 and steal double digit bases. Plus he is as good a run producer as anyone in the world right now.
5. Ryan Braun - Ryan Braun finishes the clean sweep for the NL, much to the chagrine of Josh Hamilton supporters. If fielding is taken into account, I don't want him within reach of a 10 foot pole from me, thankfully we only count what the guy does with the rake, and this guy can rake with the best of them. Some were wary of a sophomore slump, and Braun started slow, but he can, is and will do it all for your fantasy team. He's raised his average to .290 from .222 in late April, and it won't stop there. He will push 40 homers and steal around 30 bags while producing boatloads of runs. He gets the nod over the RBI machine Hamilton because he has done it before and provides the extra element of stolen base potential.

Pitchers:

1. Brandon Webb - He's an established stud who has been producing this year as well as just about anyone. The guy has been a weapon year in and year out and there is no one who puts fear into opposing lineups like this guy. He eats up innings, gets a little under a strikeout an inning, has great percentages, pitches for a first place team and he even flosses; the man's got it all.
2. Edinson Volquez - If you were out in another country for the first half of the baseball season you may not have heard of this guy, he was part of a rare trade that worked out for both sides this winter when he was exchanged for Josh Hamilton in a swap between the Reds and Rangers. This guy may not have the pedigree of some other top flight pitchers, but he is ushering in a new generation of young pitching studs. He leads all starters in ERA even after his worst start of the year last week in Florida, where he went six innings and allowed three runs -- still a quality start. He strikes out a ton of batters and loses out to Webb only because he is a bit of an unknown in the second half.
3. Tim Lincecum - Another young stallion who hasn't allowed more than three runs in a start this season. The fact that he has a record of 8-1 on a pretty terrible San Francisco Giants team should be enough to tell you why he's on this list. If that's not enough, he had a sub 2.00 ERA entering last night's start, strikes out more than a batter an inning and is only 24. Where do I sign?
4. Scott Kazmir - Was stolen from the New York Mets in 2004 for Zambrano (Victor, not even the good one), and he has made them regret that trade even more this year. He missed over a month and is already ranked among the top ten starting pitchers in Yahoo! leagues. This lefty strikes out more than a batter an inning, has a sparkling ERA and WHIP, and pitches for what is now a very solid Tampa Bay Rays team. Expect a big second half out of this guy, as he may lead that franchise to their first ever playoff birth.
5. Johan Santana - While the mets could have had my number four on this list, they'll have to settle for number five, Johan Santana. He may be one of the best pitchers in the game today and while his numbers so far this year aren't up to the level of the other guys on this list, he is a former Triple Crown winner and has started to heat up with five straight quality starts.

Dan Farrugia has been a fan of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim since he fell in love with the game of baseball as a five-year-old in t-ball. He’s been the commish of his own 12-man fantasy league since he was 12 years old and has never finished outside of the top 3. His trophy case is stocked with hardware, and while he bleeds Halo red, he prides himself on being an objective baseball fan first, and an Angels’ fan a close second. Dan’s here to give the site a little bit of a west coast flavor, and he’s reachable at wildpitch20@rotodish.com.

JoseJoseJoseeee

Hitters:

1. Chase Utley - Projected to get 123 runs, 140 RBI, 51 HR, and 15 SB hitting third in the league's best offense (the Phillies trail only the Rangers in runs scored this year). With second base a moderately shallow position, Utley's value is only increased.
2. Hanley Ramirez - Incredibly well rounded guy with 40 HR, 40 SB, 140 run, 90 RBI capabilities. I like Florida's offense and he has ridiculous numbers even after having a 17 game slide without a HR, SB, or RBI.
3. A-Rod - Nothing to say here. I wouldn't be surprised if he ended up being ranked number 1 at the end of the season again.
4. David Wright - He will heat up as the season moves on. I expect to see his average end up around .318 with 35ish home runs and steals.
5. Lance Berkman - Absurd numbers so far, but I think they will slightly drop off from this superhuman level (he won't hit near .385)

Pitchers:

1. Johan Santana - Johan hasn't put up dazzling numbers so far but there is nothing wrong with 7 wins and a 2.85 ERA. A two time Cy Young winner who is still in his prime, Santana will end up shaving a few decimals off of his ERA and WHIP.
2. John Lackey - Not only am I happy that I drafted Lackey a round early in one of my leagues because I was stoned and forgot he was going to miss the first month of the season, I'd say it was the best move I made. John Lackey hasn't lost a step, and already proved that he will continue to dominate this season.
3. Scott Kazmir - After spending the beginning of the year on the DL, Kazmir has been the most dominant pitcher in the league. Kazmir will give you countless K's, and may single handedly cut your ERA and WHIP enough for a win.
4. Brandon Webb - First pitcher to 11 wins and trailing only Edinson Volquez in the rankings. Webb shows no sign of slowing down, so expect a lot more wins along with a solid ERA and K count as long as his arm holds up.
5. Cole Hamels - Top 5 pitcher with a top 5 offense to back him up. Hamels has a so-so 3.23 ERA but his 1.04 WHIP indicates that number will drop. I'll be shocked if Cole doesn't end up with 20 wins.

If you have anything you’d like to privately email JoseJoseJoseeee, including hate-mail and naked photos, he can be reached at josejosejoseeee@rotodish.com

RotoDish

Hitters:

1. A-Rod -- Don't be fooled by his early spring DL-stint; he's still A-Rod, he's still the best hitter in baseball, and he's still only 32 years old. I'll sacrifice a little bit of speed for his power and run production any day of the week.
2. Hanley -- Power, average, speed -- he does it all, and is the cream of the crop at shortstop.
3. D-Wright -- I know, he's only hitting .276 with 8 stolen bases, but he plays every inning of every game, never gets hurt, and when the Mets' bats get going, brace yourself. This guy is a stud who will give you power, average, and speed...not to mention, the ladies love him. Next time you're out with a girl you're trying to get with, tell her you have David Wright on your fantasy team, and watch her panties drop before you can say "shish kabob."
4. Chase Utley -- Speaking of panties dropping, this guy might be the only one in baseball who gives D-Wright a run for his money when it comes to the ladies. Utley's the best second baseman in baseball and just straight mashes. Though he probably won't reach 50 HR this season, Utley's a huge pimp who needs to go in the top 5.
5. Ryan Braun -- I'll admit, I was expecting a sophomore slump, and I didn't draft him on any squads after having him carry me to a title last year. But he's the real deal, and after going yard 11 times in May, I'm a believer in Braun. Once Prince gets going like he's capable of, look for Braun to really start beasting, but fall short of the 50-HR mark.

Pitchers:

1. Edinson Volquez -- I nabbed this super-stud in the 16th round in a handful of leagues this year, and I'm not gonna lie, I cream my pants every fifth day he takes the mound. The Reds have a solid lineup and are gonna continue to score runs for their filthy 24-year-old right-hander as he racks up the quality starts and strikeouts. I've pretty much decided that I'm naming my first child Edinson, boy or girl.
2. Johan Santana -- Despite giving up 12 bombs in his first 11 starts, Johan Santana is still one of the best in the business. He's allowed a total of just 2 runs in his last 3 starts without giving up any long-balls to get his ERA under 3.00, and with a 50-17 career record after the break (and a 2.79 ERA), the new Mets' ace is poised for a big second half.
3. Brandon Webb -- I hate Brandon Webb. He cost me $5K in 2006 by robbing Chris Carpenter of the Cy Young (I know, Webb didn't vote, it was the stupid sportswriters who voted), but his stuff is undeniably filthy, the Baby-'Backs are gonna start hitting again, and Webb's gonna win 20 games for the first time in his career.
4. Cole Hamels -- This mullet-wearing southpaw is probably the best lefty in baseball right now. He's among the league-leaders in Ks, and pitching with that potent Phillies' lineup behind him, Hamels doesn't need his best stuff to win games. He'll continue to rack up the wins and Ks while posting a sub-3.5 ERA and a WHIP close to 1.00 -- what's not to love about this guy?
5. John Lackey -- Like A-Rod, don't let his month on the DL this spring fool you. Lackey eats up innings and pitches in the crappy AL-West. His ERA is under 2.00 and he's shown absolutely no ill-effects from his April forearm injury. He's a legitimate ace you can count on every 5th day.

Honorable Mentions: Scott Kazmir, Jake Peavy, Tim Lincecum, Roy Halladay, Ollie Perez -- Kazmir I don't trust to stay healthy for a full season, and while Peavy and Lincecum are both filthy, their offenses are just so pitiful that I can't draft a Padre or a Giant as my ace. Halladay is also a stud, but with the Jays facing the Yanks, Sox, and Rays 18 times a year, wins aren't going to be easy to come by. Ollie is arguably the best pitcher in baseball when he's "on," unfortunately though, he's been "off" as often as he's been "on" this year.

If you'd like to tell me what a scrub Ollie is, or want to suggest another roundtable topic, shoot me an email at info@rotodish.com. Thanks to all of the participants.

• collaborate what we have discovered during the weekend
• Get on the same page
• develop active networks and partnerships to engage house churches in doing strategic missions.

Be sure to plan to stay an extra night on Sunday since we are not sure how long this session will last.

God Bless! Don Davis

So, I'm letting you know you'll be seeing less of me in the future. I'll still be around from time to time when something major happens to offer my opinion and coverage. But, I just don't think I need to try and run a daily blog when I've got other things in my life now that I won't be having as much free time that college students normally have.

To be fair, I will participate in the CW Roundtable since my fellow bloggers gave their time in answering my questions. I think it is a fun, light hearted event we have that everyone enjoys.

Picture Me Rollin' is the host, and he brings us these thought provoking questions:

1. Other than the contest against Little Brother, what do you think is a “must-win” for Alabama this season?

How about the match-up between a TV and my soon to be crimson colored fist if we lose the Iron Bowl?

But in all seriousness, I guess it would be Mississippi State. Yes, the Starkvillians have been a small thorn in our side these past two years due to an active effort of trying to lose by our boys in Crimson. Seriously, have you ever seem Alabama flatter against an SEC team than MSU these past two years? If we lose to Tennessee, I'll be unhappy, but fine considering the amount of chatter towards Alabama fans doesn't scale down when we crush them.

2. Every year there seems to be a player that no one is really talking about pre-season that garners accolades by the end of the year. Who will that be for Alabama this year?

Earl Alexander at WR. He had himself a very good A-Day performance, and we desperately need a few Receivers to step up and fill the shoes of Hall, Brown, and Caddell. He is tall, quick, and fairly strong, and doesn't seem to be garnering much attention with the likes of Burton Scott and Julio Jones getting all of the media coverage.

3. In your opinion, how many true freshmen will start against Clemson? How many will start against Little Brother?

We may actually see more against Clemson since it will probably be a testing out period for a portion of the game. Sure, we do want to win, but it is only one game and we need to figure out who can step up during a pressured situation.

As for the Iron Bowl, I really hope that we see the exact number needed for a victory, whatever it may be.

4. Pick one player on offense and one on defense and give a match up with an opponent that you are really looking forward to watching this season.

Bama's O-line vs. LSU's D-line.

Rolando McClain vs. anybody.

5. What, if any, SEC school’s head coach will be out after this season?

Steve Spurrier. Having been to Columbia, South Carolina numerous times, I can tell you that it is a nice place to visit and possibly live (I never got to see the suburban areas, so I can't speak for them. And yes, I know the Danny Ford boys might be disappointed in me for saying such a thing). But, it is not a football hot bed, nor will it ever be a football hot bed. He's over the age of 65 and has really looked worn down and tired of being at a program that isn't moving up as quickly as he had hoped. Adding all of that together, it just seems that he may step down in the next year or two.

I'm not saying that he will do it, but he seems the most likely to me. There is Rich Brooks, but I really haven't seen him looking to worn down.

Join us on Thursday at 4pm (PST) to take part in the conversation!

Of course, the discussion is what makes the 4realz Roundtable work, and so far, I've confirmed three great guests for the conversation:

• David G of Zillow
• Rhonda Porter of The Mortgage Porter
• Joseph Ferrara of Sellsius

And, of course, YOU are always invited to join the conversation. For the past two week's we've had an active chat conversation going on during the call, which has been just as interesting and entertaining as what gets recorded! ;)

(By the way, I reached out to the realtor.com team, but received no bites in terms of people who were willing to sit at the 4realz Roundtable...)

Here's a general outline of things I hope to cover:

• Discussion on the background on online AVMs
• How have perceptions of online AVMs changed over the past two+ years... Both within the industry and among consumers
• What are some of the interesting legal issues surrounding AVMs in terms of privacy issue
• Is there a reason to think that AVMs will get better in the future?

If you have other topics you'd like us to cover, please let us know in the comments and/or join us on the call and ask the question yourself! I'm going to do my best this time to make sure we reach out to some more of the people who call in to make sure we hear from you during the call!

UPDATE:

I've confirmed a few more guests for today's show:

• Michael Price of MLBroadcast
• Kevin Tomlinson of the South Beach Real Estate Blog

UPDATE 2:

What a great conversation!  Things definitely got a bit rough with David G on the hot seat for a bit, but overall, I had some great insights from the conversations and hopefully you will to!   If you haven't listened to the conversation on the value of online home values, then listen here:

[audio http://recordings.talkshoe.com/TC-20339/TS-122563.mp3]

Listen to the audio here:  Sherdog's UFC 85 Roundtable Discussion

And now I'm addicted!

In my next blog post , I'll give details for the next 4realz roundtable, but suffice to say that it will be today (Thursday) at 4pm PST and we're going to cover social networking...

But before I write that post, I thought I'd write a bit of background on what I learned about podcasting from last week experience:

• It is a lot of fun to bring a great group of people together and Talkshoe made it trivial to organize and implement.
• We had a great turnout to the live broadcast with 9 people calling in and a few dozen more listen to it live.
• The chat function was very helpful for letting listeners suggest questions without needing to interrupt the conversation.
• I need to let people know that if you want to call in, then you're best registering with the site first.   Otherwise it can be very difficult to pay attention to the conversation, follow the chats and know which person is using which anonymous handle!

Everything went so well that I'm now committed to hosting a weekly 4Realz Roundtable and you're always invited!

Some of the topics we're likely to cover in the near future include:

1. This week: Getting Value out of Social Networking
2. Next week:  Evaluating Mortgage Tools
3. Week of 6/19: Fannie Mae Appraisal Rules Changes
4. Other ideas for future topics I hope to host: (1) International real estate tools and websites (2) New and/or emerging real estate technologies (3) Your suggestions!

And, of course, if there is ever a really hot topic that members of the 4realz Roundtable want to discuss, I fully plan to bump the regularly scheduled programing for the more interesting stuff!

And finally, you can subscribe to future podcasts on the the 4Realz Roundtable page on TalkShoe.

Both have their place surely, but I've found it to be very striking how out of touch the professional outlets seem to be with the average public librarian.  Having just attended MLA, the overall impression was that libraries are these technological marvels full of staff members that are completely knowledgeable of the latest trends in the profession, and of course when it comes to public libraries at least that's just not the case.  The story is always one of having to do more with less, and when that means less staff members and fewer hours on top of fewer resources there's not much that can be done.

The bulk of today's conversation focused on such ordinary subjects as mending tips and re balancing the acquisitions work flow in the wake of the aforesaid cuts.  A brief discussion of FRBR and RDA was on the agenda, but was removed due to a lack of time, but not before it was learned that half the room had never heard of either one.   I wasn't exactly surprised to learn this; between their resource deficiencies and the general lack of awareness that the larger library organizations seem to have of small to medium-sized libraries.  This is especially problematic here in Massachusetts because of its tendency to exclude half of itself in all things (effectively the Pioneer Valley is part of Connecticut and the Berkshires are part of New York).

I find it very sad that the sorts of libraries who were represented at today's meeting, really the backbone of the profession, are being cast aside from the profession.  I think we're in huge trouble if something like FRBR, which is going to affect every library out there, comes to pass without half these libraries being aware of it, and I can see that happening.  Now I know I tend to be one for plowing ahead heedlessly with innovations, but we do need to take some time out and make sure that we haven't lost anyone in the wake.

Last week, I was your host. This week, Todd from Roll Bama Roll is your host, and he brings up 5 thoughtfully crafted questions regarding college football.

1. We have a poll up at RBR about what was the biggest SEC upset from last season. What is your pick and why?

In a season where upsets were happening left and right, I'd say Kentucky over LSU for a number of reasons. First, you have to remember that even though others were falling, LSU was seen as the Gorilla with a chainsaw.... thingy that was just going to waltz to the BCS title game. Secondly, even though we all thought highly of Andre Woodson and the Cats, LSU's defense was supposed to be this monstrous force that could only be defeated by tossing Glenn Dorsey's knee into the fires of Mount Doom. We all know SEC teams win with defense.... right? Finally, I remember how crazy it was once that actually happened. The college football landscape went crazy for a while, even though LSU ended up in the title game through a completely crazy finish.

2. Looking ahead to this season's schedule, what games do you see as being the deciding factors in who will win the SEC?

Most will say UGA vs. Florida, and I can see where they are coming from. But, for arguments sake, I'll go with...... Tennessee at Georgia, because the Dawgs have had a tough time getting past the Vols early in the season the past two years. If that Georgia defense is going to be any good, they've got to keep the Vols under the usual 30 to 40 points the Dunkin' Donut Brigade has been scoring on average. If they can't get past Tennessee, then that Florida game could end up being not so special after all.

3. Phil Steele and Athlon have Florida ranked #1 in the country with UGA coming in at #9 and #5, respectively, while Lindy's likes the Dawgs at #1 and Florida at #6. Obviously both teams can't represent the East in Atlanta, so which team do you think will wind up playing for the title and a berth in the Sugar Bowl (or National Championship Game), or do you think it's possible neither team will be there at the end of the season?

I personally think Florida will be improved, but I wouldn't be shocked if Tennessee makes a few surprise moves this season. Of course, the only thing that could hold UT back is trying to break in a new QB, but other than that I'll still probably say Georgia by a nose. I personally think Georgia will be lucky to escape with 1 loss, but that shouldn't keep them from Atlanta.

4. It's a little early for a "traitor's draft" since we don't know who the starters are going to be until the fall, but since football is a year long affair let's go ahead and have one. If you could trade two Alabama spring starters, one offensive and one defensive, for their counterpart on any other SEC team, who would you trade and why?

Give me Eric Berry from Tennessee on defense and Knowshon Marino form Georgia on offense. I guess I would trade Lionell Mitchell and Terry Grant. I'm a big fan of Grant, but I just wonder if he'll stay healthy for us. As for Mitchell, I respect him, but we really need a big presence out there in the Secondary.

5. Finally, and just for fun, give me one non-Alabama game you'd love to attend this season (there's a list of the "Top 40" non-con games of the season here if you need a little help).

I would like to see Arkansas at Texas, because that's an old time rivalry you just don't see anymore. I wish Houston Nutt was still the coach for humor and entertainment value. Still, seeing two fan bases that used to have some many bad feelings for each other come back together for a good old fashion hate fest is something special in college football.

I hate you, I hate you, I don't even know you, but I hate your guts. I wish all the bad things in life happen to you, and only you.

So there is my roundtable response. Again, thanks to Todd from Roll Bama Roll for this week's questions. Stay tuned later in the week for the Round-Up... or whatever everyone else prefers to call it.

1. We have a poll up at RBR about what was the biggest SEC upset from last season. What is your pick and why?

I believe I'd have to go with Kentucky over LSU. With the exception of the Florida game the week before, LSU had thoroughly dominated every team they had faced up to that point (the Tigers beat South Carolina by 12, but had a very comfortable 28-7 lead heading into the fourth, and the Gamecocks scored a garbage TD with less than 2 minutes left). This was the first game where the LSU defense looked human, especially with a healthy Dorsey (the game vs. Chop Block U was the next week). Kentucky scored a TD to open the third OT, and then Miles made one of his patented "testicles-for-brains" decision. But this one didn't work. Instead of giving the ball to Hester - he who had converted approximately 17 fourth downs the week prior vs. Florida - on fourth and two, he gave it to Charles Scott who came up a yard short. I know that Kentucky had a pretty good team, and that Arkansas wasn't ranked, but I think this was a bigger upset because a) it's still Kentucky, and b) Arkansas had McFadden and the WildHog.

2. Looking ahead to this season's schedule, what games do you see as being the deciding factors in who will win the SEC?

Georgia's not just going to be in the thick of the East race, they're also going to have a big say in who their opponent will be in Atlanta as they've got both Alabama and LSU on the schedule in addition to the annual grudge match against Auburn. Barring a sweep by the Dawgs or a sweep of the Dawgs by the Western teams, neither of which I see happening, whichever team(s) can win their match-up with UGA will have an advantage.

In the East, Florida has a little easier road than Georgia as Auburn drops off the Gators' schedule, but I still think it comes down to the WLOCP. Sorry, Ghost.

3. Phil Steele and Athlon have Florida ranked #1 in the country with UGA coming in at #9 and #5, respectively, while Lindy's likes the Dawgs at #1 and Florida at #6. Obviously both teams can't represent the East in Atlanta, so which team do you think will wind up playing for the title and a berth in the Sugar Bowl (or National Championship Game), or do you think it's possible neither team will be there at the end of the season?

Right now I'm picking UGA to represent the SEC in the Sugar. I just don't think Florida can stop Moreno and the Georgia running game which should be even better than last year. But I don't think they'll make the BCS title game as I foresee two losses for the Dawgs, and I doubt they'll be able to back into the game the way LSU did last season. While the last two BCS title game blowouts have helped the SEC in terms of media recognition of the difficulty of the schedule, I don't believe it will be enough to vault a two-loss UGA, or Florida, over a one-loss, big-name team like USC or Oklahoma.

4. It's a little early for a "traitor's draft" since we don't know who the starters are going to be until the fall, but since football is a year long affair let's go ahead and have one. If you could trade two Alabama spring starters, one offensive and one defensive, for their counterpart on any other SEC team, who would you trade and why?

Offense: I hate to go for the obvious, but don't you have to take Tebow? JPW should be the third best QB in the league next season, and it wouldn't surprise me at all if he puts up better numbers than Stafford, but Tebow is such a great football player, I'd have to trade JP for Timmay! Nauseating hype and all.

Defense: I think the area of most concern for the majority of Tide fans is the linebacking corp, at least it is for me, so I'd trade Jimmy Johns (hey, he started in the spring game) for Brandon Spikes. Johns has the athletic ability, but the poor guy hasn't seen a live snap at the position, and you put Spikes next to McClain... that'd almost be illegal.

5. Finally, and just for fun, give me one non-Alabama game you'd love to attend this season (there's a list of the "Top 40" non-con games of the season here if you need a little help).

There are several games on my bucket list that I guess will have to wait til I retire or the little ones have grown and left the nest, but right at the top is the Army-Navy game. Aside from the history/tradition of the game, I just love watching the service academies play football. There's never any doubt about those guys leaving it all on the field. With little hope of a career in the sport, those guys are playing for the love of the game.

This month's topic: Literary Alchemy

"Literary Alchemy" is a phrase coined - as far as I know - by John Granger, theologian and writer of hogwartsprofessor.com, to describe how one can induce personal transformation through literature, especially Harry Potter. This process of transformation resembles Campbell's hero's journey. We are going to explore alchemy, literature and unleashing personal myth through literature (movies, television shows, etc. count, too).

The meeting will be held at the Book People cafe starting at 4:30. I will be there wearing my black JCF t-shirt with the red circle logo on the front.

Book People
603 N Lamar
Austin, TX 78703

Please RSVP by the morning of June 7th.

I look forward to seeing everyone there.

Yes! Our contestants participants have graciously given their time and blog money to answer the questions of one college student who happened to be bored out of his mind. They, like myself, are big time Bama fans who dedicate their mornings and evenings to blogging, providing you with quality humor, analysis, and.... other things bloggers do. Let's meet are participants! (BTW, my actions are inside the little * marks)

*Price is Right music cranks up*

1. Todd from Roll Bama Roll!
2. Tony Orlando from Alabama Gameday!
3. Gerry Dorsey from Uncle Rico's Time Machine!
4. The Capstone Report!
5. TideFaninTN from Third Saturday in Blogtober!
6. Picture Me Rollin!
7. Will Heath from DBH Dance Party! (and them fancy news sheets)
8. and your host, The Tide Druid!

*points, winks, and smiles* What a great bunch of guys!

Next, let's go over something about the new Crimson and White Roundtable. As the host, it is my duty to perform a Roundtable Round-Up (or whatever you prefer to call it). The weekly host picks their favorite answers of the other Bama Blogger participants, to provide everyone out there with an easy access source for your Roundtable reading pleasure.

This is an EXTREMELY looooooooooooong post, so please click the link below to read some of the selected comments. I for one would like to offer our contestants participants a hearty ROLL TIDE!

1) Will the new offense and Offensive Coordinator be a positive change for John Parker Wilson? If so, how much? If not, what concerns you?

Any kind of change would be a positive one for both Wilson AND the Tide fanbase after the up and down season he had last year. If you're gonna suck, then suck it big Reggie Ball style (can't wait for the google searchs that's going bring in!), but don't tease us with spectacular performances against the Vols and then collapse inward like a dying star the rest of the way.

Honestly, I've got some very high hopes for Wilson this season. We all know about McElwain's tutelage of Brandstater at Fresno State; how he took him from a major offensive liability to a respectable QB and oversaw a thorough and shameful dismantling of "defensive genius" Jon Tenuta's Georgia Tech defense (I put that in quotes 'cause his genius reputation is built on blitzing a lot, which, what? I blitz on every down in NCAA 2008, does that make me a genius? No, it doesn't. My gigantic intellect and ability to freeze water with my mind make me a genius. Can you freeze water with your mind Tenuta? No, you can't. So there.) after a great season offensively, so if he can both a) teach Wilson to not stare down his receivers..no wait, that was plural, let's make that receiver... and b) figure out a way to call plays that both reflect the reality of the situation on the field (i.e., your QB clearly rattled and in way over his head) AND aren't bonehead (i.e. play fakes on clear passing downs right in the face of one of the best rush ends in the conference that's smart enough to not bite on the back even for half a second) then he could work some magic with John Parker. I liked what I saw with A-Day, and not to praise the enemy too much, but it really reminded me of the way Al Borges turned Jason Campbell into a first round draft pick. It's amazing what happens when you take a kid that's struggled, and then essentially wipe out half the playing field from the equation so he can focus on what's direclty in front of him and give him easy reads and throws to the best playmaker(s) on the team. Wilson might not be the most talented QB to ever play at Alabama, but he's shown flashes of being someone that can be productive and make good decisions if given the chance. O-line struggles and a lack of a consistent ground game didn't help him in '06, and those same troubles coupled with far greater responsibilites in a more complex offense sank him in '07, but after a full year plus an extra spring and fall in this offense and a play caller that is willing to tailor his calls to Wilson's abilities instead of trying to fit him into the offense whether he gets it or not should hopefully see him living up to his potential. (Roll Bama Roll)

“Awww, come on guys, it’s so simple maybe you need a refresher course. It’s all ball bearings nowadays.” There’s been no secret that most of the offense this season will be the same as last season. And Wilson’s limitations as a QB–his inability to check down or even not stare at his receiver pre-snap–probably aren’t going away. All of the stories are there about how well Wilson is understanding the new offense and relating to the new staff, but Wilson is a fifth-year senior. The impetus is really on McElwain to grasp Wilson.

During the times last season when Wilson looked like the star we all wanted him to be, the play-calls were creative without being gimmicky and we had enough success on the ground to make the progression a bit unpredictable. Most games appeared as if we had a brilliant first act script full of drama and energy and then the screenwriter just ran out of ideas and decided “Eh, let’s just throw in a go-kart chase and call it a day.” Pretty much how I expect Lost to wrap up. If McElwain can maintain the momentum throughout the game that Applewhite managed to stir in the first quarter and often rediscovered deep in the fourth, I think Wilson is going to benefit more from an appearance standpoint than making any actual progress. The plays are there to have success and for Wilson to look good. McElwain’s ability to call them will be all the difference. (Third Saturday in Blogtober)

I really don't see how it couldn't be a positive for Ross' brother (I am not referring to him by any other name until he earns it). He looked pretty bad at the end of the season last year with the first quarter of the bowl game as the exception. If McElwain's history is any indication then there should be significant improvement in Ross' Brother's play this season. He had a relatively good sophomore campaign and I believe that his confidence was just shaken last season. Let's face it, he is never going to make huge plays with his arm but he is capable of not getting the team in trouble and getting the ball to the playmakers. A good coordinator- and I believe that McElwain is- should be able to help him do that. (Picture Me Rollin')

2) We’ve all felt the excitement of landing this studly freshmen class on signing day, but what expectations should we have once they all land in Tuscaloosa?

*Hilarity ensues*

Expectations? Relative to what? Why would you ask a question like that? I’m not into setting expectations. Aight. That’s your job. What i want to see is the freshmen come in, go to class and do the right things to better themselves as students and football players. (Capstone Report)

Alabama fans with reasonable expectations? C'mon...

While this freshman class is perhaps the best in over a decade at Alabama, keep in mind; they are still freshmen. That said, expect several to start on opening day, and further, expect to see Julio Jones prove he's ready for the SEC right now. It'll be another year or two before we're truly up to strength, but we will from time to time next season, see flashes of what's to come. (Picture Me Rollin')

We should expect them to be amazing in terms of what we’ve seen on the field for the last few years. They aren’t going to fully grasp the playbook immediately, and they are going to make rookie mistakes and plenty of them, but they are going to make them far more athletically than the guys before them. The Tide is replacing slow veterans with dynamic inexperience and I expect the gap to be less significant than most expect. Will they dominate right away? Certainly not, but neither did the players they replace. Does anyone doubt that Mark Barron will be significantly better on day one than Marcus Carter? The front seven in Saban’s defense is very assignment-heavy which leads to a lot of mental errors for players that aren’t comfortable in it, but did anyone actually look comfortable with their assignments last season? The worst that can happen for the incoming freshmen will be a failure to generate a pass-rush, but their predecessors didn’t do that either. What we can expect from them is no drop-off from the guys they replace (no offense, Wallace), and much better recovery when they make mistakes. (Third Saturday in Blogtober)

3) What were your initial thoughts of the somewhat split job of Defensive Coordinator? Have they changed since then, or are they still the same?

Kevin Steele is being groomed for a head coaching job. Adding the title of Associate Head Coach allows Saban to keep him on board, and take advantage of Steele's talents one more year, while preparing Kirby Smart to take over after Steele's departure. All told, Alabama's defense is in good hands, both now and for the future. (Alabama Gameday)

A moot point. Saban runs the defense and pretty much everyone knows it. One needs only to watch him on the sidelines furiously giving out signals to know it's his show when the other team has the ball. (Will Heath)

my initial thoughts?? titles, shmitles. hell my title has the word "manager" in it, and i can barely "manage" to not get fired. this is all pr nonsense to make/keep various people happy and in tuscaloosa. very little will change in terms of scheme b/c nothing happens on the defensive side of the ball without the saban's stamp of approval anyway. (Uncle Rico's Time Machine)

I was surprised by the move, mostly because Saban isn’t one to fight to hang onto his coaches, which was the explicit reason for this move with Kirby Smart. Will his role change? Not in any tangible way, I would think. Saban has never made any bones about whose defense this really is. Here’s a hint: it wasn’t Kevin Steele’s. Smart and Steele might now be in some sort of inner sanctum where Saban trains them in the ways of the Dark Side head coach, but I doubt there will be any recognizable shift in responsibilities. The real shift will be in the quality of their respective next jobs. (Third Saturday in Blogtober)

4) In your eyes, who needs to step up the most in a position of depth concern?

I actually discussed this right after the Auburn loss in November: the biggest issue for Alabama, bigger than the offense, bigger than the secondary, is toughness up front defensively. Auburn imposed its will on Alabama with its front -- and I'll reiterate what I said in that LJ post: whether it's offseason training, replacing personnel or merely a change in attitude, Alabama simply must be better at stopping the run. Otherwise, prepare to be average for another season. (Will Heath)

We will have to solidify the linebacking corps. The Jimmy Johns Project® is not going to be the solution to our depth problems, so we can expect someone to be thrown to the lions early this year. (Alabama Gameday)

I can’t think of a position that doesn’t need help. (Capstone Report)

for very obvious reasons, linebacker is a position of concern for me. its almost comical (but not really) how quickly this position evaporated right out from under the tide. given that i'm pretty confident in what bama will get out of rolando mcclain, i'm going to say jimmy johns. he has a lot to learn given in terms of scheme and techniques given the shift from rb to lb. however, so far i've heard nothing but good things, and as i senior i have no doubt he wants to go out on the highest possible note. (Uncle Rico's Time Machine)

5) We’ve all heard the talk of this possibly being Mal Moore’s last season as Athletic Director. What will his legacy be when it is all said and done?

Really, if the Saban experience turns out like we think it will, that's his legacy. All the fund raising and improved facilities are nothing without wins, and after some bungling in the hiring process landing Nick Saban is what he's going to be remembered for plain and simple. (Roll Bama Roll)

I have often said that Moore will be remembered as a great brick-and-mortar AD. As far as getting us into the 21^st Century with our facilities, and not just football facilities, he has been a great AD. I believe that is the legacy he leaves. (Picture Me Rollin')

Mal’s legacy? Asking people for money. All those athletic amenities on campus, plus the hiring of Nick Saban will be Mal’s legacy. Hiring Saban could be the pinnacle of Mal’s career. It could finally be the transition of Alabama from the past into the future. I compare the hiring to Alabama’s decision to hire Frank Thomas. Bringing in an outsider to update the team. If it works, then Mal will deserve a statue of his own. (Capstone Report)

6) Other than Georgia, what non-Alabama SEC team impresses you the most? (because everyone would normally answer UGA)

*It appears we have some Nutt lovers out there, but we do have other picks*

as long as tim tebow is on the field, florida is a threat to win the whole damn thing...but that answer isn't any fun. instead i'm going to go with a sleeper pick and say ole miss. with jevan snead finally stepping in at qb and seemingly provided stability at that position the rebels have lacked since eli left. they will also be unveiling highly touted rb enrique davis who originally signed with auburn. more importantly they now have sneaky ass houston nutt running the show. if ever there was a used car salesman who could make something out of nothing, its this guy. at the very least, the rebels will be much more fun to watch than they have been in recent memory. (Uncle Rico's Time Machine)

In all honesty, we give the nod to Mississippi State. Sly Croom has slowly, steadily gotten this team to believe. He's cut out the cancerous elements, instilled a sense of unity and pride in his team, and is doing more with less than anyone in the league. Will the other Bulldogs compete for the SEC title? Probably not; but even so, we're impressed. (Alabama Gameday)

Honestly, the team I fear the most is Auburn. That sounds strange, of course, but the situation at Auburn right now is exactly the sort Tuberville likes -- his team is basically being ignored by media both nationally and in-state, they have enough talent to dominate people on defense ... and no one has any idea what they'll look like in the fall because of the coordinator changes. Also, the schedule sets up for them nicely: two weak non-conference games before a trip to Starkville and then coming home to face LSU ( and the final score there could be 2-0).
Of course, if Tony Franklin's offense struggles out of the gate, this could all play out very differently. At the moment, the War Eagles are the team that terrifies me most. Other than Georgia, of course. (Will Heath)

Weirdly, I'm going to say Ole Miss. They scare the crap out of me with Nutt on the sideline, if only because his brand of crazy is nothing compared to the Orgeron's and is therefor worth at least one or two extra wins per season on improved decision making alone. Remember kids, we've beaten the Rebels on the last play of the game three years in a row now and could have very easily lost all of them, while they pushed Florida, Georgia, and LSU to the brink as well. And that's not even mentioning the fact that Jevan Snead is an actual quarterback, not a Delta State transfer or a scat back that can kinda sorta throw like the two headed QB Orgeron was using, and he has talent at wide receiver to throw to as well. McCluster and Hodges could probably start anywhere else in the league, Mico McSwain can develop into a threat as well, and in the backfield BenJarvus Green-Ellis is one of the most underrated backs in the whole conference [ed. - Green-Ellis has graduated. I'm an idiot.]. The pieces are there for them to come out of nowhere just like Mississippi State did last season and lock up a bowl bid on the scalps of some of the bigger programs, and I wouldn't be surprised one bit if Nutt pulled it off in his first year in Oxford. (Roll Bama Roll)

1) Will the new offense and Offensive Coordinator be a positive change for John Parker Wilson? If so, how much? If not, what concerns you? I really don’t see how it couldn’t be a positive for Ross’ brother (I am not referring to him by any other name until he earns it). He looked pretty bad at the end of the season last year with the first quarter of the bowl game as the exception. If McElwain’s history is any indication then there should be significant improvement in Ross’ Brother’s play this season. He had a relatively good sophomore campaign and I believe that his confidence was just shaken last season. Let’s face it, he is never going to make huge plays with his arm but he is capable of not getting the team in trouble and getting the ball to the playmakers. A good coordinator- and I believe that McElwain is- should be able to help him do that.

2) We’ve all felt the excitement of landing this studly freshmen class on signing day, but what expectations should we have once they all land in Tuscaloosa? Kareem Jackson had some “doh” moments last year and he would follow that up with a play that makes you think, “Wow!” That’s my expectation for the class and this season. They are going to look inept at times and then they are going to really impress. When the impressive plays outnumber the inexperienced mistakes the team will be getting somewhere.

3) What were your initial thoughts of the somewhat split job of Defensive Coordinator? Have they changed since then, or are they still the same? At the end of the day it’s all Saban’s defense, you can give the underlings whatever title they want. Steele could be referred to as a Sith Lord, it isn’t going to affect how the defense performs. I also try not to critique coaching decisions too much anyway.

4) In your eyes, who needs to step up the most in a position of depth concern? Young linebackers like Anders, Hester, and Higginbotham plus any able freshman. I would also like to see McCoy, Stover, Alexander and Hanks step up to take the expectation off the freshman as they get used to college level play.

5) We’ve all heard the talk of this possibly being Mal Moore’s last season as Athletic Director. What will his legacy be when it is all said and done? I have often said that Moore will be remembered as a great brick-and-mortar AD. As far as getting us into the 21^st Century with our facilities, and not just football facilities, he has been a great AD. I believe that is the legacy he leaves.

6) Other than Georgia, what non-Alabama SEC team impresses you the most? (because everyone would normally answer UGA) I wouldn’t use the word impress here but I am going to be watching Houston Nutt’s Ole Miss Rebels very closely this year. Orgeron left some talent there and while I think his results would have been better had they given him another year, I am confident that Nutt will gat a lot out of them and they will beat someone (or two) who they are not supposed to. I really hope that it isn’t Alabama- this is the tenth anniversary of his magical season at Arkansas and that was under similar circumstances.

That was the title Diedre Houchen gave the Roundtable discussion she led last Thursday.  After sharing some of her own faith journey, she invited others to share a bit of their own.  Many had similar tales of finding connection with a particular community or way of being “spiritual,” then leaving to move on to something else.  The two ends of the Christian spectrum that folks moved along seemed to be the personal encounter with Jesus and vs. the mandate to follow Jesus’ “Way.”  This is a well-documented divide: Evangelical (conservative) vs. Progressive (liberal). Diedre wondered if there was any commonality, any way for the two to “talk.”  We didn’t come to any conclusions, but hopeful ideas like humility, openness, honest debate, and recognition of a common search for meaning were discussed.  In the end, it seems helpful to recognize that each of us comes to “faith,” or seeking faith, from a place of vulnerability that should be honored - regardless of our own conclusions (or current resting place).

Diedre recommends an episode of Krista Tippet’s “Speaking of Faith”- Evangelicals Out of the Box - as a great follow-up.  It’s a big subject and one that causes a lot of heartache between people who call themselves followers of Christ.

Paul Joseph Watson
Prison Planet
Friday, May 23, 2008

It has been announced that Bilderberg luminary and top corporate elitist James A. Johnson will select Democratic candidate Barack Obama's running mate for the 2008 election and in turn potentially act as kingmaker for America's future President.

Johnson also selected John Kerry's running mate John Edwards in 2004 after Edwards had impressed Bilderberg elitists Henry Kissinger and David Rockefeller with a speech he gave at the globalist confab in Italy that year.

The news further puts to rest any delusions that Bilderberg is a mere talking shop where no decisions are made. In reality, the group is shaping some of the primary developments in the domestic and geopolitical arena today, particularly in the context of oil prices which continue to accelerate towards Bilderberg's target of $200 dollars a barrel.

Continue Reading

 Joe Brew, Kelli’s son, is about to leave for his third summer in Guatemala where he will teach at the “Institut,” a school which Holy Faith Catholic Church, the GCW’s home parish, helps sponsor.  He led the Roundtable discussion this past Thursday.

Joe talked about the growth of gangs in Ciudad Quetzal, an extremely impoverished area on the outskirts of Guatemala City.  Here, deplorable violence is perpetrated by gangs on the community whereby they exact a “tax” from households, individuals, schools, clinics, churches, etc. in exchange for not killing one of their members.  Joe had personal experience with this when one of his students was shot in the head and killed after witnessing one of these murders,  and again when his next-door neighbors had to flee overnight after receiving a telephone request for $5000 in exchange for not killing their child. It’s a terrible situation that creates a climate of fear and causes daily deaths in the street.

Joe talked about the history of the gangs in Guatemala, how they first came about when desperately poor Guatemalans had entered the U.S. to seek work.  Once in the U.S., because they were poor and separated from their families and communities, and because they had no status as U.S. citizens, they were vulnerable to street crime and violence.  When undocumented workers are threatened in the U.S., they have no recourse to legitimate forms of civil protection that U.S. citizens enjoy. So from within the Guatemalan community in the U.S., groups were formed to offer “protection.” These groups quickly became gangs, adopting aspects of U.S. gang culture and functioning to give their members protection, identity, a sense of belonging, and more. When these gang members were subsequently deported back home, they brought their gang identity with them.  Especially for second-generation deportees, who spoke little Spanish having grown up in the U.S., the gangs offered them community and status in a now-foreign place.

Joe used gang violence to discuss two different tracks of religious thought in Guatemala – the “liberal” liberation theology track and the conservative, evangelical track.  In a nutshell, evangelical Christians stressed personal sin, and the liberal (usually Catholic) Christians stressed structural sin.  The personal sin side is easy to see in the case of gang violence against innocent families and children.  But Joe clarified the structural side by comparing it to the familiar tale of “Les Miserables.”  Many of us are familiar with the story of Jean Valjean who is imprisoned for decades because he stole bread for his starving nephew.  The harshness of prison life and the disdain of the public for ex-convicts once he is released - on top of the injustice of being punished by the system that created the inequities that would have caused most people in his situation to steal bread for a child - creates a bitter, hateful man.  But, in Les Mis, we can read Valjeans story with mercy because we get to watch the “true” Valjean emerge after he is offered understanding, forgiveness and a fresh start.  It’s interesting to try and apply this mercy to gang violence - something current, and as repugnant to us as Jean Valjean’s behavior was to the powers in 18^th century Paris.  Joe made clear the point that gang violence is both a terrible personal failure as well as a structural one.  The situation is complicated, but Joe pointed out that a large part of the solution is, as Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin once envisioned – to “make it easier to be good” by helping Guatemala become a place where people can support and care for their families – and in the meantime to work on creating more just immigration policies here.  

 Joe is heading off in a week to teach basketball, English, and history to displaced Mayan and poor Ladino (mixed European and indigenous ancestory) children.  We're looking forward to hearing all about it on his return in September.  Meanwhile, check out his Guatemala blog!

An Excerpt from The Age of Chivalry, by Thomas Bullfinch

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Arthur

We shall begin our history of King Arthur by giving those particulars of his life which appear to rest on historical evidence; and then proceed to record those legends concerning him which form the earliest portion of British literature.

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Arthur was a prince of the tribe of Britons called Silures, whose country was South Wales, the son of Uther, named Pendragon, a title given to an elective sovereign, paramount over the many kings of Britain. He appears to have commenced his martial career about the year 500, and was raised to the Pendragonship about ten years later. He is said to have gained twelve victories over the Saxons. The most important of them was that of Badon, by some supposed to be Bath, by others Berkshire. This was the last of his battles with the Saxons, and checked their progress so effectually, that Arthur experienced no more annoyance from them, and reigned in peace, until the revolt of his nephew Modred, twenty years later, which led to the fatal battle of Camlan, in Cornwall, in 542. Modred was slain, and Arthur, mortally wounded, was conveyed by sea to Glastonbury, where he died, and was buried. Tradition preserved the memory of the place of his interment within the abbey, as we are told by Giraldus Cambrensis, who was present when the grave was opened by command of Henry II. About 1150, and saw the bones and sword of the monarch, and a leaden cross let into his tombstone, with the inscription in rude Roman letters, "Here lies buried the famous King Arthur, in the island Avalonia." This story has been elegantly versified by Warton. A popular traditional belief was long entertained among the Britons, that Arthur was not dead, but had been carried off to be healed of his wounds in Fairy-land, and that he would reappear to avenge his countrymen and reinstate them in the sovereignty of Britain. In Warton's "Ode" a bard relates to King Henry the traditional story of Arthur's death, and closes with these lines.
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After this narration another bard came forward who recited a different story:
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Tennyson, in his "Palace of Art," alludes to the legend of
Arthur's rescue by the Faery queen, thus:
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It must not be concealed that the very existence of Arthur has been denied by some. Milton says of him: "As to Arthur, more renowned in songs and romances than in true stories, who he was, and whether ever any such reigned in Britain, hath been doubted heretofore, and may again, with good reason." Modern critics, however, admit that there was a prince of this name, and find proof of it in the frequent mention of him in the writings of the Welsh bards. But the Arthur of romance, according to Mr. Owen, a Welsh scholar and antiquarian, is a mythological person. "Arthur," he says, "is the Great Bear, as the name literally implies (Arctos, Arcturus), and perhaps this constellation, being so near the pole, and visibly describing a circle in a small space, is the origin of the famous Round Table."
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Constans, king of Britain, had three sons, Moines, Ambrosius, otherwise called Uther, and Pendragon. Moines, soon after his accession to the crown, was vanquished by the Saxons, in consequence of the treachery of his seneschal, Vortigern, and growing unpopular, through misfortune, he was killed by his subjects, and the traitor Vortigern chosen in his place.
Vortigern was soon after defeated in a great battle by Uther and Pendragon, the surviving brothers of Moines, and Pendragon ascended the throne.

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This prince had great confidence in the wisdom of Merlin, and made him his chief adviser. About this time a dreadful war arose between the Saxons and Britons. Merlin obliged the royal brothers to swear fidelity to each other, but predicted that one of them must fall in the first battle. The Saxons were routed, and Pendragon, being slain, was succeeded by Uther, who now assumed in addition to his own name the appellation of Pendragon. Merlin still continued a favorite counsellor. At the request of Uther he transported by magic art enormous stones from Ireland, to form the sepulchre of Pendragon. These stones constitute the monument now called Stonehenge, on Salisbury plain.

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Merlin next proceeded to Carlisle to prepare the Round Table, at which he seated an assemblage of the great nobles of the country. The companions admitted to this high order were bound by oath to assist each other at the hazard of their own lives, to attempt singly the most perilous adventures, to lead, when necessary, a life of monastic solitude, to fly to arms at the first summons, and never to retire from battle till they had defeated the enemy, unless night intervened and separated the combatants.

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Soon after this institution, the king invited all his barons to the celebration of a great festival, which he proposed holding annually at Carlisle.

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As the knights had obtained the sovereign's permission to bring their ladies along with them, the beautiful Igerne accompanied her husband, Gorlois, Duke of Tintadel, to one of these anniversaries. The king became deeply enamoured of the duchess, and disclosed his passion; but Igerne repelled his advances, and revealed his solicitations to her husband. On hearing this, the duke instantly removed from court with Igerne, and without taking leave of Uther. The king complained to his council of this want of duty, and they decided that the duke should be summoned to court, and, if refractory, should be treated as a rebel. As he refused to obey the citation, the king carried war into the estates of his vassal and besieged him in the strong castle of Tintadel. Merlin transformed the king into the likeness of Gorlois, and enabled him to have many stolen interviews with Igerne. At length the duke was killed in battle and the king espoused Igerne.
From this union sprang Arthur, who succeeded his father, Uther, upon the throne.
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Arthur, though only fifteen years old at his father's death, was elected king, at a general meeting of the nobles. It was not done without opposition, for there were many ambitious competitors.
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But Bishop Brice, a person of great sanctity, on Christmas eve addressed the assembly, and represented that it would well become them, at that solemn season, to put up their prayers for some token which should manifest the intentions of Providence respecting their future sovereign. This was done, and with such success, that the service was scarcely ended when a miraculous stone was discovered before the church door, and in the stone was firmly fixed a sword, with the following words engraven on its hilt:
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Bishop Brice, after exhorting the assembly to offer up their thanksgiving for this signal miracle, proposed a law, that whoever should be able to draw out the sword from the stone, should be acknowledged as sovereign of the Britons; and his proposal was decreed by general acclamation. The tributary kings of Uther, and the most famous knights, successively put their strength to the proof, but the miraculous sword resisted all their efforts. It stood till Candlemas; it stood till Easter, and till Pentecost, when the best knights in the kingdom usually assembled for the annual tournament. Arthur, who was at that time serving in the capacity of squire to his foster-brother, Sir Kay, attended his master to the lists. Sir Kay fought with great valor and success, but had the misfortune to break his sword, and sent Arthur to his mother for a new one. Arthur hastened home, but did not find the lady; but having observed near the church a sword, sticking in a stone, he galloped to the place, drew out the sword with great ease, and delivered it to his master. Sir Kay would willingly have assumed to himself the distinction conferred by the possession of the sword, but when, to confirm the doubters, the sword was replaced in the stone he was utterly unable to withdraw it, and it would yield a second time to no hand but Arthur's. Thus decisively pointed out by Heaven as their king, Arthur was by general consent proclaimed as such, and an early day appointed for his solemn coronation.

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Immediately after his election to the crown, Arthur found himself opposed by eleven kings and one duke, who with a vast army were actually encamped in the forest of Rockingham. By Merlin's advice Arthur sent an embassy to Brittany, to solicit the aid of King Ban and King Bohort, two of the best knights in the world. They accepted the call, and with a powerful army crossed the sea, landing at Portsmouth, where they were received with great rejoicing. The rebel kings were still superior in numbers; but Merlin, by a powerful enchantment, caused all their tents to fall down at once, and in the confusion Arthur with his allies fell upon them and totally routed them.

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After defeating the rebels, Arthur took the field against the Saxons. As they were too strong for him unaided, he sent an embassy to Armorica, beseeching the assistance of Hoel, who soon after brought over an army to his aid. The two kings joined their forces, and sought the enemy, whom they met, and both sides prepared for a decisive engagement. "Arthur himself," as Geoffrey of Monmouth relates, "dressed in a breastplate worthy of so great a king, places on his head a golden helmet engraved with the semblance of a dragon. Over his shoulders he throws his shield called Priwen, on which a picture of the Holy Virgin constantly recalled her to his memory. Girt with Caliburn, a most excellent sword, and fabricated in the isle of Avalon, he graces his right hand with the lance named Ron. This was a long and broad spear, well contrived for slaughter." After a severe conflict, Arthur, calling on the name of the Virgin, rushes into the midst of his enemies, and destroys multitudes of them with the formidable Caliburn, and puts the rest to flight. Hoel, being detained by sickness, took no part in this battle.

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This is called the victory of Mount Badon, and, however disguised by fable, it is regarded by historians as a real event.
The feats performed by Arthur at the battle of Badon Mount are thus celebrated in Drayton's verse:
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Merlin had planned for Arthur a marriage with the daughter of King Laodegan of Carmalide. By his advice Arthur paid a visit to the court of that sovereign, attended only by Merlin and by thirty-nine knights whom the magician had selected for that service. On their arrival they found Laodegan and his peers sitting in council, endeavoring, but with small prospect of success, to devise means of resisting the impending attack of Ryence, king of Ireland, who, with fifteen tributary kings and an almost innumerable army, had nearly surrounded the city. Merlin, who acted as leader of the band of British knights, announced them as strangers, who came to offer the king their services in his wars; but under the express condition that they should be at liberty to conceal their names and quality until they should think proper to divulge them. These terms were thought very strange, but were thankfully accepted, and the strangers, after taking the usual oath to the king, retired to the lodging which Merlin had prepared for them.

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A few days after this, the enemy, regardless of a truce into which they had entered with King Laodegan, suddenly issued from their camp and made an attempt to surprise the city. Cleodalis, the king's general, assembled the royal forces with all possible despatch. Arthur and his companions also flew to arms, and Merlin appeared at their head, bearing a standard on which was emblazoned a terrific dragon. Merlin advanced to the gate, and commanded th