2.22.2009

... And We're Back!

SUNDAY MORNING
Post No. 1,065

Hey everyone. My Gannett-mandated furlough has ended, which means the HABOTN is back in the hizzle to rizzle your shizzle.

BIG UPS: It was mighty sucky to idly watch the HABOTN wither without the content we all crave. Several HOTTIES went well above and beyond the call of duty last week, providing their own updates and keeping this place moving along.

They deserve recognition. They get it now:

  • Jet -- fantastic live blog from the AU @ LSU men's game
  • Michael -- thrived even without material to play off of
  • Peter_Frankenschmidt -- upped his post count considerably last week
  • TarHeelTiger -- comprehensive body of work
  • Monica -- comprehensive body of work
  • jhag -- all over the place, but awesome as always
  • FSJ -- hung in there like your namesake
  • Dear Leader -- our version of Quick Draw McGraw
  • Luv -- great morning presence
  • AUMom -- came through with good stuff Thursday in particular
  • kathy -- also came through with good stuff on Thursday in particular
  • depressedAUfan -- bigger profile made me optimistic
  • kristina -- sick early in the week, stepped it up once health returned
  • Will -- made your presence felt more than ever before
  • ehyoutiger -- nice work

  • Criminal Type -- He has resigned and may not return for a long time. He claims to be a Man U hooligan and said he'd rather talk about "real" football on those message boards. I thought he was creepy anyway. Good riddance.

  • Thanks, of course, to everyone who read and hung around. Some people post a lot anyway (ie Hoopie, Scottie B, BigCat, Steve FC, mdaniel, NoVa Tiger, mobilz, scott from tucson) and stayed the course sans content. You all are awes, too.



SO WHAT'S NEXT:
I'll be live blogging the UGA @ AU women's game. That tips at 2 p.m. If you're going, wear pink. I will be.

SO WHAT ELSE IS GOING ON?: Auburn won the men's SEC swimming & diving title for the 13th consecutive season. The women finished second by an eyelash to the Florida Gators. Matt Targett was named the SEC's top male swimmer. Richard Quick, Brett Hawke and Dorsey Tierney-Walker were named the league's top coaches.

Auburn men's basketball lost at LSU last night. The Fighting Lebos now are 6-6 in league play. Next game comes Wednesday at home against Ole Miss, which also is 6-6.

Auburn women's basketball, ranked No. 5, lost a close game at Vanderbilt on Thursday night. The Fighting Fortners now are 10-2 in league play. They're tied with Vanderbilt, but Vanderbilt now holds the tiebreaker. Next game comes today against Georgia, which beat Auburn last month.


Photo credit: Todd Van Emst/Auburn University

Questions? Comments? Post directly to the blog below or email me at jgtate@gannett.com.

77 comments:

  1. All hail Jay G Tate, our fearless leader who is resurrected from furlough!!!

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  2. Very quick there, THT.

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  3. It's great to be back!

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  4. Mandated furlough's are not cool.
    Glad you are back.

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  5. Feels like Christmas morning!!

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  6. I'm afraid I won't be the only member of the HABOTN community who will play the furlough game this year.

    Sounds like the idea is catching on among corporate bean counters.

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  7. I'm so giddy I can't think of anything to say. But jhag is right, it does feel like Christmas morning, but without the relatives.

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  8. I only work 4 days a week every other week. I just hope we have seen the bottom but I don't think we have.

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  9. JGT,

    Welcome Home! I think I speak for the HABOTN community when I say that things just weren't the same without you.
    That CT was on odd bird, not mant oysterfisherman around these parts.

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  10. Jay GT - we all pitched in and tried to do our part, but despite our efforts, there was an obvious huge void in HABOTN last week. So glad you are back.

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  11. Dang, now I feel bad. I'm just a run-of-the-mill post padder.

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  12. PeterF - au contraire. Your fashion statements yesterday were of the utmost benefit to the Hotties.

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  13. I haven't been to Auburn since the LSU football game!! Withdrawls

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  14. My employer laid off 80 people last week. Cousin lost her corporate job with Kodak a month ago. Times are ugly it seems in any and all industries. I hope Jay G and all other hotties make it through with no further damage.

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  15. No further damage, yea.

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  16. It's been a waiting to exhale kind of week. Welcome back, Jay G.

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  17. Thanks for the good vibes, peops.

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  18. Welcome back, JGT! Great to have you back doing your thing.

    It was tough, I had to go out and actually search for valid information.

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  19. Sorry I couldn't add more substance this week... I took the opportunity to actually get work done for a change.

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  20. wartiger welcomes you back Jay..you were missed...WAR EAGLE!!..tough loss last night...

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  21. glad to see coach quick was recognized.

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  22. Mon, I know you're watching to combine... not sure if anyone else is...

    Why do guys, who are obviously not physical specimens, that are going to run 5+ in the 40 strip down to their skivvies to run it? Are the shorts going to make them run a 5.17 as opposed to the 5.12 they just ran?

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  23. It's what Under Armour is providing?

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  24. Welcome back JGT, that was a weird deal for all of us I think. I was actually in Disney World all week and out of the loop- I think I subconciously planned it to coincide with the furlough- didn't want to miss out on any info!

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  25. Good to see you back, Jay G.

    Heckuva run by some Hotties last night. I nominate the artist formerly known as Jet G. Ate for Hottie of the Week due to his live blogging skills.

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  26. NoALtiger, how was your week at Disney World? My family dreams of returning there when finances allow.

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  27. Thanks Michael. Now I've got Manic Monday stuck in my head. Oh wait, it IS Sunday. Yea! Fun day!

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  28. depressed - those aren't dreams, they are nightmares ;-)

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  29. New e-trade baby commercial... gold!

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  30. Very good trip, there were 9 of us this time (including three 5 year old girls)which made for a pleasently chaotic few days. We've been 7 times the last 3 years though, I kinda know my way around the parks now!

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  31. THT, not a Disney World fan I assume?

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  32. NoALtiger, sounds like you had a great time. Nothing like a trip to Disney to bring out the kid in you. My daughter makes fun of me for the trip-planning I always put in before we go.

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  33. The entire THT family prefers most any vacation over Disney World. Long lines, way too expensive for what it is. My buddy from way back in high school is married sans kids; they've gone several times/yr for the last 25 years. I'm very glad y'all enjoy it. Most folks do.

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  34. depressed - trip planning... THT LOVES trip planning! I've planned family vacations since I was 13. Can't seem to get my kids to take the reins.

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  35. THT, Disney World is a polarizing vacation spot. Most people either love it or hate it with a passion. My father refuses to even go with us to see for himself. Just curious, where does the THT family like to vacation?

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  36. Disney ... holds no attraction to me anymore ... used to like ... just don't now.

    I'd like the water parks, but not the rest of the stuff.

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  37. glad to have you back in the saddle, Jay

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  38. If we had the finances, I would love to take the kids to Disney World. The girls would poop their pants if they met the REAL Cinderella. After a certain age, though, I don't imagine it would be nearly as fun. I am more of a Six Flags kind of guy myself.

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  39. embarrassing but of sufficient humor I felt compelled to share ( and then delete)
    Lunch conversation during a meal of all sorts of sushi:

    THTjr, pausing momentarily as some eel sushi approached his mouth, "How do I eat this?"

    MrsTHT, "It's cooked; just stick it in there."

    A few moments later I was struggling with the chop sticks and looking retarded, prompting THTjr to query,
    "How did you father us?"

    Miss THT's prompt reply, "Mom told him to stick it in there."

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  40. Tar Heel ...

    That sounds WAAAYYY too familiar.

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  41. depressed - we try to vacation where we haven't been, though admittedly we do return to some of our favorite locations. This past summer I took THT family for the first time to my most favorite place, Snowy Range in Wyoming (40 miles west of Laramie).

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  42. Last year ... we took the kids to Target, and gave 'em $10 each (in nickels).

    Not really, we went to Tybee Island, Ga., which is an old school beach town. Rented the first floor of a duplex from the owner, who lived on the top floor.

    The beach wasn't beautiful, but I loved the slow-paced feel.

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  43. slow is good, except when driving

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  44. Jet, I went to Jekyl(?) Island, GA in my younger days with a friend from school. Growing up going to the Redneck Riveria, the beaches there reminded me of a creek bank at our home in Alabama. Same reason I refuse to go to Biloxi. Give me snow-white, soft sand or give me death. Or at least leave me at home.

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  45. We went to Punta Cana, D.R., the year before, and that was some blue water and sandy white beaches.

    Best trip on that count was to Dorado Beach, P.R., where Mrs. Jet and I attended a "conference" for five days. I think I went to one meeting that wasn't on a golf course.

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  46. Welcome back Jay G!! You have been missed.

    Disney World requires a battle plan if you want to do it right.

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  47. Depressed - What part of Alabama? I agree with you about Atlantic Beaches. Give any point between Gulf Shores and Grayton Beach anyday.

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  48. Kristina, you must hit the parks early, stay way too late at night, take no breaks in-between, walk countless miles collecting fast-passes to different rides and park-hop constantly to beat the crowds. My wife and daughter whine about being on vacation, but true-believers know it is really a mission.

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  49. Monica, I grew up just outside of Alexander City. By the grace of God, I now reside in Auburn.

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  50. and we never vacate to a single destination for a whole week unless it's a ski trip/conference. We may spend 2-3 days max in one location if necessary to see everything.
    Gosh, y'all are getting me all travel-excited. Where did I put those "go britches"?

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  51. Anonymous1:20 PM

    Wecome back CT....er...JGT. The HABOTN seemingly has a life of it's own. Of course your gentle guidance enhances the experience.

    Jet, I've been to WDW 4 times and even DL in SoCal once. No amount of promised fishing or golf side trips can get me to go again....One advantage of being an emptynester. It's probably years before grandkids are around, but I need to gather excuses now. Any advice is appreciated.

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  52. Hoopie ...

    I haven't been in 13 years ... kids have gone on school band trips, etc.,

    I plan on being a cranky old grandpa one day that you wouldn't take to Wal-Mart much less Disney.

    But you would take him to an Auburn game.

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  53. Sen., nice disclaimer added at the end of your last post. I assume you won't be grouchy if taken to an AU game? That will teach the grandkids to appreciate fall Saturdays.

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  54. Looks like we're heading to east Tennessee this year ... near rafting, Dollywood (decent water park, and good rides at the main park), and hiking around the National Park.

    Makes me happy. I like peaceful mornings in the mountains with coffee.

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  55. Anonymous1:29 PM

    LOL @ Katrina...battleplan. I refused to go without one. The girls however, were content to wander aimlessly and take it all in.

    I think, back in the day, we went to a Hilton Resort @ Dorado Bch PR. Pretty cool and good golf. We're now content to visit friends/family for vacations. Current finances don't allow much other choice anyway.

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  56. I imagine TurboProp and Stewardess will teach their children well in our shared values. Of course, I hope they wait a good long while. AFter all, they're just 18 and 15.

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  57. I really loved Sea World in San Antonio when we lived there almost 20 years ago. It was about 7 miles from our house and we had season passes for 3 years. We would go probably 5 or 6 times each yr.

    DW only in 1973 and ~1995.

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  58. HAHA you see where Bryant Denny scoreboard caught on fire? Look it up. I wish the stadium would have burned to the ground.

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  59. Hoopie ...

    IT's got to be the same place we went to at Dorado ... it was sweet ... great location ... outstanding beach ... fun golf.

    Just a relaxing trip.

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  60. Anonymous1:34 PM

    Cranky Grandpa......only taking the GKids to AU games.....I like that.

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  61. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  62. jhag - I like your thought process.

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  63. Anonymous1:38 PM

    jhag....you are clearly able to blog while in class.........do your skills also include arranging a well placed lightning bolt into the BD scoreboard?

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  64. JGT - I also add my congratulatory remarks on your return. I was fortunate enough to spend most of the past week in Florida. More specifically; in a hospital Data Center where the temperature is a constant 68 degrees. Good times. I missed my HABOTN, I was able to read a little bit just to keep in the flow of it a couple of the away nights. Anyway, glad you're back.

    Jet - I agree, Tybee Island is nice for it's slow, laid back pace. As soon as you get there, take a big deep breath...stinks.

    Mon - you don't care for Seaside and/or Seagrove just on the other side of Grayton? If it's just Mrs. Gatiger and I, we tend to go there as often as possible which typically amounts to a couple of times a year and usually offseason because we like the lower population density then.

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  65. Anonymous1:49 PM

    THT...my 20 year old daughter was brainwashed by the professors for a while. She then got angry about her parttime job takehome pay. I invited her to read the candidate platforms and then to imagine how her vote might impact her takehome pay. She now catalogs the professor's attempts to sway student opinions, rather than drink it in.

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  66. He's back!!! Yea, we've missed you.

    The ladies need to pull out a win today, and we need Vandy to lose.

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  67. Anonymous1:53 PM

    Miracle Strip = some of the best beaches anywhere.

    Quaint East coast beach hamlets = personality and relaxation.

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  68. GaTiger - Any of those Hwy30A beaches are good. I like the whole area and I used to LOVE the entire area before it was "discovered". I liked Seaside when it was first built, but then, as expected, they overbuilt and it's become a characature of itself. In the late 80's Bud & Alley's used to be fun. Now bleh.

    But remember - I'm old and my family was hanging out in Destin when there were miles between gas stations on Hwy 98.

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  69. It is still a travesty that Miracle Strip Amusement Park was closed for other development. A classic beachside amusement park gone for more condos, strip malls or other generic buildings.

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  70. Although MrsTHT wouldn't mind it, I don't do the relaxing vacations. I can sit around and do nothing at home (to which Mrs THT will readily attest). Fortunately, she also enjoys our "exploring strange new worlds" trips.

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  71. Mon - I think we've had this discussion before, I believe our respective ages are quite similar. I remember hanging in that area back in the day too. I remember when Seaside didn't exist. I remember when the CBD of P'ville was nothing but Oldacre cotton fields. I remember when The Conquistador on Ft. Walton was just a little mom & pop place. It'll always hold a special memory in my heart since it was a very special "first" for me - summer of '75, sitting in a groundfloor room (at that time there were only 2 floors) at The Conquistador being severely sunburned and laughing alot at what would one day become my favorite comedy of all time, Blazing Saddles.

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  72. Yep, GA, those were the days of miles and miles and miles of just beach and water perfection.

    Go about a mile east of Inlet Beach and from there to Mexico Beach is not for me. It's too touristy. I'm one of those south Alabamians who considers herself native to the Florida Panhandle because we spent so much time living/shopping/playing there. Brewton is only 8 miles from the FL state line afterall.

    I love the communities of Port St. Joe and Apalachicola and of course their oysters. Cape San Blas has nice beaches, but the water is strange and it's just sort of spooky there to me. Go figure.

    There's an old cotton gin right on the Apalachicola Bay that I want to buy and turn into a gallery/studio space. Last time I looked they only wanted 1.5 million for it. With another 5 million it would be ready to open.

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  73. Welcome back Jay G...

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  74. welcome back Jay G

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