Sometimes it would appear that doing things the old way is better.
I say this because it is a two fold announcement, and indeed I have many announcements to make regarding the upcoming year.
First off, I am going to switch back to History as my major, with English as my minor. It was foolish of me to try to switch out of that to something that is the polar opposite of that field. I am rectifying that mistake. Secondly, I am switching back to cashiering, where the pay is better than sporting goods just by the increase in hours I will have.
Those are the plans for this new semester, if I can sort out the mess I have with KU right now. Now on to other plans.
I have decided on release dates for my last two books. So mark your calendars!
The Fight For Freedom: Rebellion Rising will be released on Friday, March 14th, 2014.
The Fight For Freedom: The Battle Hymn of the Republic will be released on Friday, July 4th, 2014.
Further concerning my book, I have decided to launch a website to raise interest in my book. I have recently completed it, and you can find it at http://authorrobertsullivan-com.webs.com/. Check it out!
This new year is going to be awesome.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Rebellion Rising Prologue
Note: This is not in the public domain and copying or reproducing it in anyway is not allowed without my permission. Enjoy!
Prologue
It was pitch dark over the plains of
Colorado, east of the Rocky Mountains. The Globalist convoy moved through the
dark on an open highway, their leaders directing them to use the dark of night
to move without trouble. It had been two years since the Globalists, using the
American party as a façade, had been elected to power in the United States. Now
that they had largely consolidated their rule, especially in the midterm
elections the previous November, they were moving to install their domestic
programs with impunity all over the country.
The convoy was carrying dissenters to
the new regime into a camp in the Rocky Mountains. The Globalists had seemingly
learned their lesson when two years before a militia of sorts had ransacked a
camp they had set up in the open plains of Kansas. This camp was far more
inaccessible and those the people that would be taken there would work in a
quarry set up there. It was basic slave labor, just enough to work the
dissenters largely to death, but not before getting some usefulness out of
them.
As for the dissenters, they had been
picked up from Kansas City, where resistance to the Globalist regime had been
fiercest. This was stemming from heavy handed Federal control of the city ever
since a devastating tornado that had occurred nearly three years prior. The
Globalists had managed to capture some of the disorganized resistance and were
transporting them to the new camp. It was also a warning to anyone else
planning to stand up to the Globalists in the city.
The mountains were beginning to show up
in the silhouette of the horizon to the west, something that pleased the
Globalist captain commanding the convoy. He had wanted to reach the mountains
by the morning so there would be harder to find by anyone who might come after
them. While they did not expect this, he had wanted to air on the side of
caution given what had happened at the camp near Great Bend, Kansas two years
before. He began to relax a little as the mountains began to approach in
earnest.
They passed through the foothills and
began to approach the first line of mountains near Pueblo. The camp was in the
valley in the shadow of the Crestone Needle, an isolated area sitting at 11,000
feet or higher. They would be just digging for rocks at various places in the
valley, without regard for the environment they were in. When it was destroyed,
the Globalists would just set up another camp elsewhere.
The convoy began to reach the first line
of mountains separating them from the Sangre de Cristo Range. Across these
smaller mountains was a vast flat plain that was sparsely populated. They would
be able to cross it as the morning was breaking and would be able to force
march their prisoners to the campsite by nightfall that evening.
The Globalist captain suddenly saw
something in the road ahead and told the driver, “Slow down. What is that?”
The driver replied, “It looks like the
road is blocked.”
“Shit,” the captain said. He grabbed the
radio and barked into it, “Everyone stop. There is a blockage up ahead that we
need to clear.”
His truck stopped and rest of the convoy
obliged as well. The Globalists got out of their trucks and stepped forwards to
examine the moderately sized rocks that were covering the road. One of the
privates walked forward and peered up at the wall the rocks detached from and
said, “What caused them to fall like this?”
“Don’t worry about that,” the Captain
shouted at him. “Just get something to move them the hell out of the way. I
have orders to have these prisoners delivered to the Needle by nightfall.”
The private nodded glumly and bent over
to pick a rock up and take it out of the way. The Globalists worked steadily
and soon the only rocks left were some bigger ones that could not be so easily
moved out of the way. The sky behind them was beginning to lighten
significantly as the Globalist Captain stared at the larger rocks and said, “Do
we have anything to move these out of the way?”
One of his sergeants said, “We don’t.
Not unless you wanted to just try to find a way to move them with the trucks.
Or make the prisoners do it.”
The
Captain glowered and said, “No, I was told that they couldn’t be harmed and
worked in any way until they got to the Needle. We will just try to move them
with the trucks.”
The sergeant nodded and turned to walk
back when he stopped and looked up at the cliff side again. With the sky
rapidly lightening, the rock wall was thrown into sharp relief. It was obvious in
the light that the rocks had not fallen naturally, but instead had been blasted
off in some way.
Fear exploded inside him as he said, “Captain,
this is a trap. We need to get out of here.”
The Captain turned to see the rock wall
when suddenly he took a bullet to the chest. The force of the bullet knocked
him to the ground and the sergeant desperately tried to get back to the trucks,
shouting, “Ambush!”
He was cut down as well and the other
Globalists that had been largely milling about in the past few minutes tried to
make a run for it as well. They were shot down as well before they could get
far, as their assailants suddenly exposed themselves from behind the convoy and
from behind the rocks on the road. In a minute it was over and none of the
Globalists were had escaped the fire of their attacks.
One of the attackers moved forward
cautiously, followed closely by others. She pulled off a black stocking cap
that had prevented her red hair from being seen by the Globalists. The young
woman kicked the Captain over and saw he was dead and called back to her peers
saying, “They are all dead, Zach.”
Zach Yost walked forward and clapped the
young woman on the back and said, “That was good of you to knock out their
commanding officer first, Rebecca.”
Rebecca nodded in acknowledgement and
walked towards the truck, saying, “Let’s get their supplies and go.”
Zach replied simply, “Right.” He waved
the soldiers behind him forward and they swarmed the trucks and pried them
open. Zach saw that they were standing in astonishment instead of clambering
into the trucks so he walked forward, saying, “What the hell are you waiting
for?”
Zach walked around the corner of the
truck and saw the men and women sitting in the back, staring at him fearfully.
He was thunderstruck, but recovered quickly, saying, “I need all of you to go
ahead and come out and stand on the side of the road here.”
The prisoners did not move at first, but
one man got up and jumped out of the truck and did as Zach said. The other
prisoners saw this and began to move as well until the truck was empty. There
were other trucks with prisoners as well and they left their trucks as well at
the urging of the other soldiers with Zach. There appeared to be about a
hundred of them standing anxiously to side, waiting for something to do.
Zach turned to a tall black man and
said, “What the hell are we supposed to do with them, Charles?”
“I don’t know,” Charles replied. “Have
you seen Greg though? Maybe he would know.”
Zach looked around and said, “I don’t see
him. I am going to ask one of them if they knew what the Globalists were doing.”
Zach strode purposefully to one of them,
which happened to be the young man to have first left the truck. “Where were
they taking you?”
The young man said, “Some camp. We all
had been causing the Globalists too much trouble in Kansas City so they rounded
us all up.”
Zach raised his eyebrows and asked, “Were
any of you involved in an attack on the Globalists two years ago at Great Bend?”
There was a murmur of assent as one of
the men exclaimed, “It’s Captain Zach Yost! I remember him from that attack in
Great Bend! We’ve been rescued by the Continentals!”
There was a loud cheer from the
prisoners as they knew for sure now that they were safe. Every one of the prisoners
knew of that attack as many of them had been involved in it. The young man
looked around wildly and suddenly saw who he was looking for. He rushed
forwards and exclaimed, “Georgia!”
A young woman turned at the sound of her
name and shouted in surprise, “Sam?!” She rushed forward and hugged Sam,
saying, “Oh my God, Sam, I can’t believe you are here!”
Georgia let go and shouted, “Anne, get
over here! Sam is here!”
Another young woman came forward and was
ecstatic to see Sam there as she embraced him too. Sam broke off and said, “I
think Evan is here somewhere. Is Rebecca with you?”
Georgia looked uncomfortable as she
said, “Yeah…she’s somewhere.”
Sam saw Evan suddenly and shouted, “Evan,
Georgia and Anne are here!”
Evan spotted them as well and walked
forward, looking surprised, but grinning broadly. He gazed past them and saw
Rebecca and shouted excitedly, “Rebecca!”
Rebecca saw the four of them and stared
at them in shock, having momentarily been brought out of her hardened demeanor
at the sight of Evan and Sam. She walked away from them, leaving Evan and Sam stunned.
Sam turned to Georgia and asked, “What is the matter with her.”
Georgia still looked uncomfortable and
said, “It is a long story.”
Sam noticed her discomfort and asked, “So
this is the Continental Army, huh? Is Greg here? I have heard a lot about him.”
Georgia looked behind her towards the
rocks in the road and pointed, saying, “That’s him.”
Greg Carlton was standing on one of the
rocks, watching the scene unfold in front of him with indifference. He gazed
past them and the rising Sun threw the long scar on the left side of his face
into sharp relief. He glowered as he stared to the East, knowing that the enemy
was ahead of him and wanting nothing more than to strike out of the mountains
after them.
Zach finally spotted him and saw the
look on his face and said to himself more than anyone, “Soon, Greg.”
Monday, December 16, 2013
Christmas Movie Marathon: Home Alone 2: Lost in New York
If you have seen the Hangover 2, you already know the premise of the second Home Alone movie. Same situation; different city.
A year after the events of the first Home Alone film 10-year-old Kevin...who was 8 the year before...and his family are going to Miami for vacation this time. The night before, they attend a pageant that Kevin and his siblings are performing in. After Kevin's brother Buzz humiliates him on stage and Kevin retaliates, both are called before the family to apologize. Buzz does, but Kevin refuses, setting up a similar feud as in the previous film.
This time though, Kevin makes it to the airport, but gets separated there and ends up on a flight to New York. He realizes his mistake when he looks out of the airport and sees the New York skyline, including since this was 1992, the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center. He goes to the Plaza hotel and fools the workers there into thinking he is there with his dad.
The next day is Christmas Eve, although you don't find that out until later in the film. Kevin goes off to Duncan's Toy Chest, the best toy shop in New York, while the Plaza clerk, played by Tim Curry, discovers that the credit card that Kevin used is not Kevin's. Kevin leaves the toy store and is discovered by the villains from the previous film; the Wet Bandits. They escaped jail and inexplicably plan to rob the toy store that Kevin went to.
The bandits chase Kevin to the hotel, where he is confronted by the hotel staff. After escaping them, he is ambushed by the bandits, but eventually escapes them too by running off into Central Park. There he meets a lady that tends to the pigeons there and they go have a conversation while listening to a symphony play Christmas music, including O Come All Ye Faithful. After this, Kevin decides to stop the bandits from robbing the toy store.
He sets up his uncle's house, which is being refurbished, in similar pitfalls as he had for his house the previous year. He goes to interrupt the robbery and gets the bandits to chase him into the house, who foolishly fall for the same traps as the previous year. He leads them to Central Park, where he is saved by the pigeon lady.
Meanwhile, Kevin's family is in New York and his mother Kate is frantically searching the city for him. She knows that Kevin likes Christmas trees, so she looks for him at Rockefeller Plaza. He is there and they are reunited. The Plaza gave the family a complimentary suite and during the early morning, Mr. Duncan, knowing what Kevin did for his store, delivers gifts to them. Kevin meets the pigeon lady one last time before his father discovers the bill from Kevin's stay in the hotel.
This movie is essentially the same as the previous, except in one area: the scene where the bandits are going through the house is longer and more like a cartoon. I did not like the bandits being in the first film at all and I didn't care for the fact that they were given more screen time in this one. The main element that I did like in the first film, which was Kate's attempts to get back to Kevin, were seriously downplayed to the point where they seemed like an afterthought.
There were nice moments, but on the whole, it is an okay movie and not as good as its predecessors. I have not seen the third, fourth, or *sigh* fifth Home Alone films, as they do not have any of the cast from the original two films...or John Hughes...or Christmas in general. The second film may have been pushing it as it was.
The other five films I will look at:
It's a Wonderful Life
A Christmas Carol with George C. Scott
A Christmas Story
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
The Polar Express
A year after the events of the first Home Alone film 10-year-old Kevin...who was 8 the year before...and his family are going to Miami for vacation this time. The night before, they attend a pageant that Kevin and his siblings are performing in. After Kevin's brother Buzz humiliates him on stage and Kevin retaliates, both are called before the family to apologize. Buzz does, but Kevin refuses, setting up a similar feud as in the previous film.
This time though, Kevin makes it to the airport, but gets separated there and ends up on a flight to New York. He realizes his mistake when he looks out of the airport and sees the New York skyline, including since this was 1992, the North and South Towers of the World Trade Center. He goes to the Plaza hotel and fools the workers there into thinking he is there with his dad.
The next day is Christmas Eve, although you don't find that out until later in the film. Kevin goes off to Duncan's Toy Chest, the best toy shop in New York, while the Plaza clerk, played by Tim Curry, discovers that the credit card that Kevin used is not Kevin's. Kevin leaves the toy store and is discovered by the villains from the previous film; the Wet Bandits. They escaped jail and inexplicably plan to rob the toy store that Kevin went to.
The bandits chase Kevin to the hotel, where he is confronted by the hotel staff. After escaping them, he is ambushed by the bandits, but eventually escapes them too by running off into Central Park. There he meets a lady that tends to the pigeons there and they go have a conversation while listening to a symphony play Christmas music, including O Come All Ye Faithful. After this, Kevin decides to stop the bandits from robbing the toy store.
He sets up his uncle's house, which is being refurbished, in similar pitfalls as he had for his house the previous year. He goes to interrupt the robbery and gets the bandits to chase him into the house, who foolishly fall for the same traps as the previous year. He leads them to Central Park, where he is saved by the pigeon lady.
Meanwhile, Kevin's family is in New York and his mother Kate is frantically searching the city for him. She knows that Kevin likes Christmas trees, so she looks for him at Rockefeller Plaza. He is there and they are reunited. The Plaza gave the family a complimentary suite and during the early morning, Mr. Duncan, knowing what Kevin did for his store, delivers gifts to them. Kevin meets the pigeon lady one last time before his father discovers the bill from Kevin's stay in the hotel.
This movie is essentially the same as the previous, except in one area: the scene where the bandits are going through the house is longer and more like a cartoon. I did not like the bandits being in the first film at all and I didn't care for the fact that they were given more screen time in this one. The main element that I did like in the first film, which was Kate's attempts to get back to Kevin, were seriously downplayed to the point where they seemed like an afterthought.
There were nice moments, but on the whole, it is an okay movie and not as good as its predecessors. I have not seen the third, fourth, or *sigh* fifth Home Alone films, as they do not have any of the cast from the original two films...or John Hughes...or Christmas in general. The second film may have been pushing it as it was.
The other five films I will look at:
It's a Wonderful Life
A Christmas Carol with George C. Scott
A Christmas Story
National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation
The Polar Express
Monday, December 9, 2013
Christmas Movie Marathon: Home Alone
I have recently come into a plethora of Christmas movies and I am going to take a look at them all. I have six or seven and I will look at them all between now and December 25th. I started off tonight with Home Alone, a film from John Hughes that was released in 1990 starring Macaulay Culkin and Catherine O'Hara.
As his family is about to leave for Paris for Christmas, Kevin McCallister (Culkin), is feeling the pains of being the smallest child in a huge family. Tempers flare in the hectic household and Kevin yells at his mother (O'Hara), saying he never wanted to see them again. The next morning, his wish comes true; he is mistakenly left behind as the rest of his family leaves for Paris.
Kevin soon takes advantage of the situation, doing what any 8-year-old would do in that situation: "Eating junk and watching rubbish." His neighborhood is being burglarized by two thieves nicknamed the Wet Bandits. On several occasions, they attempt to rob Kevin's house only to be fooled into thinking that there are people home. As they are held at bay, Kevin shoulders some responsibility and even does the laundry and goes grocery shopping.
In Paris, Kevin's mother, Kate, is frantically trying to get back to Chicago to make sure that her son is safe. She trades tickets with a couple and gets back to the United States before eventually ending up in Scranton. She cannot make it any further, but finds a ride with a polka band to Chicago. Meanwhile, the Wet Bandits find out that Kevin is alone and plan to move on the house on Christmas Eve.
Kevin seems at a loss and goes to the local Catholic Church to listen to a Christmas concert. There he speaks with and old man from his neighborhood that he had feared previously. Kevin gives him some advice about reuniting with his son for Christmas and takes fresh heart in this. Kevin returns home to attend to the defense and manages to rout the Wet Bandits and gets them arrested, along with some timely help from the old man.
Kate returns home the next morning and after apologizing, Kevin forgives as the rest of the family arrives in time to celebrate Christmas.
I actually like this movie a lot. It did not necessarily have to be set during Christmas, but this adds an extra dimension to the movie that gives it a lot of heart. I think namely of the scene in the Church with Kevin talking with the old man to the backdrop of 'O Holy Night'. It added much to the conversation, which entailed Kevin convincing the man to reunite with his son for Christmas. It did succeed, but this comes into play later.
I admire Catherine O'Hara in this movie as well. She plays the part of desperate mother perfectly, as her character is clearly desperate to get back to her son and see him safe. She gives $500 and some trinkets to a couple to get back to the United States in the first place and goes through three airports before hitchhiking with a polka band. Her devotion is astounding and it ends well for her; when she had last seen Kevin he has shouted at her and they made up when they were reunited on Christmas Day.
I remember that whole dilemma much more than I remember the fact that the Wet Bandits were involved at all. This movie did the desperate mother routine so well that that alone could have carried this movie. The thieves seemed like a distraction compared to that, as if they were just there to fill time. It did add a fair amount of slapstick to the movie though, which I guessed got it defined as a comedy, but I view it as a drama instead.
Also, I have been to the Catholic Church that was featured in the movie. When I was in Chicago for the National Scholar's Bowl Championship, on that Sunday we went to Mass there. I guess I haven't seen this movie all the way through since then, otherwise I would have recognized it sooner. It was a beautiful Church and that was reflected here as well.
Next up when I have time: Home Alone 2
As his family is about to leave for Paris for Christmas, Kevin McCallister (Culkin), is feeling the pains of being the smallest child in a huge family. Tempers flare in the hectic household and Kevin yells at his mother (O'Hara), saying he never wanted to see them again. The next morning, his wish comes true; he is mistakenly left behind as the rest of his family leaves for Paris.
Kevin soon takes advantage of the situation, doing what any 8-year-old would do in that situation: "Eating junk and watching rubbish." His neighborhood is being burglarized by two thieves nicknamed the Wet Bandits. On several occasions, they attempt to rob Kevin's house only to be fooled into thinking that there are people home. As they are held at bay, Kevin shoulders some responsibility and even does the laundry and goes grocery shopping.
In Paris, Kevin's mother, Kate, is frantically trying to get back to Chicago to make sure that her son is safe. She trades tickets with a couple and gets back to the United States before eventually ending up in Scranton. She cannot make it any further, but finds a ride with a polka band to Chicago. Meanwhile, the Wet Bandits find out that Kevin is alone and plan to move on the house on Christmas Eve.
Kevin seems at a loss and goes to the local Catholic Church to listen to a Christmas concert. There he speaks with and old man from his neighborhood that he had feared previously. Kevin gives him some advice about reuniting with his son for Christmas and takes fresh heart in this. Kevin returns home to attend to the defense and manages to rout the Wet Bandits and gets them arrested, along with some timely help from the old man.
Kate returns home the next morning and after apologizing, Kevin forgives as the rest of the family arrives in time to celebrate Christmas.
I actually like this movie a lot. It did not necessarily have to be set during Christmas, but this adds an extra dimension to the movie that gives it a lot of heart. I think namely of the scene in the Church with Kevin talking with the old man to the backdrop of 'O Holy Night'. It added much to the conversation, which entailed Kevin convincing the man to reunite with his son for Christmas. It did succeed, but this comes into play later.
I admire Catherine O'Hara in this movie as well. She plays the part of desperate mother perfectly, as her character is clearly desperate to get back to her son and see him safe. She gives $500 and some trinkets to a couple to get back to the United States in the first place and goes through three airports before hitchhiking with a polka band. Her devotion is astounding and it ends well for her; when she had last seen Kevin he has shouted at her and they made up when they were reunited on Christmas Day.
I remember that whole dilemma much more than I remember the fact that the Wet Bandits were involved at all. This movie did the desperate mother routine so well that that alone could have carried this movie. The thieves seemed like a distraction compared to that, as if they were just there to fill time. It did add a fair amount of slapstick to the movie though, which I guessed got it defined as a comedy, but I view it as a drama instead.
Also, I have been to the Catholic Church that was featured in the movie. When I was in Chicago for the National Scholar's Bowl Championship, on that Sunday we went to Mass there. I guess I haven't seen this movie all the way through since then, otherwise I would have recognized it sooner. It was a beautiful Church and that was reflected here as well.
Next up when I have time: Home Alone 2
Sunday, December 8, 2013
Whereupon Kansas City beat Washington by Five Touchdowns
Rarely have I watched a Chiefs game so entertaining. Sure it was against the 3-10 Redskins who will probably fire Mike Shanahan in the early morn tomorrow, but it was an awesome way to shatter a three game losing streak and return to the winning ways of the 9-0 start that they had. The defense was dominant, their offense, Chase Daniels aside, took care of business, and the special teams play was simply spectacular.
I will look at each of the scores here by both team and see which one I thought was the best.
Ryan Succop 33 Yard Field Goal
Kansas City 3, Washington 0, 11:30 1st
Kansas City got the ball to start the game and moved quickly down the field, but stalled in the red zone. Succop kicked a field goal that I never saw make it, due to the swirling snow going on at the time.
Jamaal Charles 2 Yard run
Kansas City 10, Washington 0, 5:52 1st
Going back to the incredible day that the Chiefs had on special teams, the drive started on the Washington 13 due to a 60 yard punt return my Dexter McCluster. It took 5 plays, but on 4th and Goal, the Chiefs busted into the end zone for the first time behind Jamaal Charles.
Dwayne Bowe 21 Yard pass from Alex Smith
Kansas City 17, Washington 0, 1:02 1st
Kendall Gammon and Mitch Holthus had been noticing that Robert Griffin III had been staring down his receivers and making it obvious where he was throwing. So Derrick Johnson noticed this too and picked off a pass and almost ran it in for a Touchdown. Instead Dwayne Bowe got a pass from Alex Smith and was hit several times, but still powered his way into the end zone.
Jamaal Charles 5 yard pass from Alex Smith
Kansas City 24, Washington 0, 11:27 2nd
After another great punt return that put the Chiefs on the Washington 41, Alex Smith and company only needed five plays to find the end zone on a wide receiver screen to Jamaal Charles.
Dexter McCluster 74 Yard Punt Return
Kansas City 31, Washington 0, 9:45 2nd
The play before the punt, it had briefly looked like RGIII had fumbled the football on 3rd down, and the Chiefs returned it for a touchdown. It was overturned, but that didn't matter; on the ensuing punt, Dexter McCluster set a Chiefs record for punt return yards and the rout was on.
Logan Paulsen 7 yard pass from Robert Griffin III
Kansas City 31, Washington 7, 1:07 2nd
After the Chiefs pooch punted it, the Redskins drove the length of the field and scored quickly. It looked like they might have a little momentum going into the 2nd half, where they would receive the ball first.
Quintin Demps 95 Yard Kickoff Return
Kansas City 38, Washington 7, 0:53 2nd
And there went all of the momentum as the Chiefs got a second special teams touchdown on the day. After Mitch Holthus had exclaimed , "TOUCHDOWN!! KANSAS CITY!!," for the fifth time in that first half, Kendall Gammon was right to say, "Are you serious?"
Kai Forbath 50 yard field goal
Kansas City 38, Washington 10, 0:00 2nd
I didn't think it would be possible to kick a field goal from that far. Good for them.
Knile Davis 17 yard run
Kansas City 45, Washington 10, 13:37 4th
It has slowed down significantly after the half and after this score, neither team's starters were in the game. This was another touchdown where they player broke several tackles to make it to the end zone.
The special teams play of the Chiefs set up several short field for the offense when they did not simply score themselves. As for the other major stats of the day, the Chiefs only outgained the Redskins by 90 yards on offense, but the Chiefs had over 300 return yards in the first half alone. It was basically a perfect game for the Chiefs and it could not have come at a better time, with three games remaining in the season.
I will look at each of the scores here by both team and see which one I thought was the best.
Ryan Succop 33 Yard Field Goal
Kansas City 3, Washington 0, 11:30 1st
Kansas City got the ball to start the game and moved quickly down the field, but stalled in the red zone. Succop kicked a field goal that I never saw make it, due to the swirling snow going on at the time.
Jamaal Charles 2 Yard run
Kansas City 10, Washington 0, 5:52 1st
Going back to the incredible day that the Chiefs had on special teams, the drive started on the Washington 13 due to a 60 yard punt return my Dexter McCluster. It took 5 plays, but on 4th and Goal, the Chiefs busted into the end zone for the first time behind Jamaal Charles.
Dwayne Bowe 21 Yard pass from Alex Smith
Kansas City 17, Washington 0, 1:02 1st
Kendall Gammon and Mitch Holthus had been noticing that Robert Griffin III had been staring down his receivers and making it obvious where he was throwing. So Derrick Johnson noticed this too and picked off a pass and almost ran it in for a Touchdown. Instead Dwayne Bowe got a pass from Alex Smith and was hit several times, but still powered his way into the end zone.
Jamaal Charles 5 yard pass from Alex Smith
Kansas City 24, Washington 0, 11:27 2nd
After another great punt return that put the Chiefs on the Washington 41, Alex Smith and company only needed five plays to find the end zone on a wide receiver screen to Jamaal Charles.
Dexter McCluster 74 Yard Punt Return
Kansas City 31, Washington 0, 9:45 2nd
The play before the punt, it had briefly looked like RGIII had fumbled the football on 3rd down, and the Chiefs returned it for a touchdown. It was overturned, but that didn't matter; on the ensuing punt, Dexter McCluster set a Chiefs record for punt return yards and the rout was on.
Logan Paulsen 7 yard pass from Robert Griffin III
Kansas City 31, Washington 7, 1:07 2nd
After the Chiefs pooch punted it, the Redskins drove the length of the field and scored quickly. It looked like they might have a little momentum going into the 2nd half, where they would receive the ball first.
Quintin Demps 95 Yard Kickoff Return
Kansas City 38, Washington 7, 0:53 2nd
And there went all of the momentum as the Chiefs got a second special teams touchdown on the day. After Mitch Holthus had exclaimed , "TOUCHDOWN!! KANSAS CITY!!," for the fifth time in that first half, Kendall Gammon was right to say, "Are you serious?"
Kai Forbath 50 yard field goal
Kansas City 38, Washington 10, 0:00 2nd
I didn't think it would be possible to kick a field goal from that far. Good for them.
Knile Davis 17 yard run
Kansas City 45, Washington 10, 13:37 4th
It has slowed down significantly after the half and after this score, neither team's starters were in the game. This was another touchdown where they player broke several tackles to make it to the end zone.
The special teams play of the Chiefs set up several short field for the offense when they did not simply score themselves. As for the other major stats of the day, the Chiefs only outgained the Redskins by 90 yards on offense, but the Chiefs had over 300 return yards in the first half alone. It was basically a perfect game for the Chiefs and it could not have come at a better time, with three games remaining in the season.
NFL Week 14 Potential Playoff Clinching Teams
With this being the fourth to last week in the NFL regular season, we can take a look at some of the scenarios in which teams might be able to clinch a berth in the upcoming playoffs. Let's take a look at the NFC first.
1. Seattle Seahawks (11-1)
Seattle has already clinched a playoffs berth. They can win the NFC West outright today be winning at San Francisco
That is the only team in the NFC that can clinch anything today. Now for the AFC...
1. Denver Broncos (10-2)
Denver can clinch a playoff berth by winning OR a loss by Baltimore or Miami
2. New England Patriots (9-3)
New England can clinch a playoff berth by winning AND either Miami or Baltimore losing.
3. Indianapolis Colts (8-4)
Indy can win the AFC South with a win OR a Tennessee loss.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (9-3)
Kansas City can clinch a playoff berth by winning AND either Miami or Baltimore losing.
1. Seattle Seahawks (11-1)
Seattle has already clinched a playoffs berth. They can win the NFC West outright today be winning at San Francisco
That is the only team in the NFC that can clinch anything today. Now for the AFC...
1. Denver Broncos (10-2)
Denver can clinch a playoff berth by winning OR a loss by Baltimore or Miami
2. New England Patriots (9-3)
New England can clinch a playoff berth by winning AND either Miami or Baltimore losing.
3. Indianapolis Colts (8-4)
Indy can win the AFC South with a win OR a Tennessee loss.
4. Kansas City Chiefs (9-3)
Kansas City can clinch a playoff berth by winning AND either Miami or Baltimore losing.
Saturday, November 30, 2013
December
I typically will announce on Facebook the arrival of the new month, or new year like it will be in a few week. I feel like I should expound why I like each month though, starting tonight obviously with the arrival of December. I think I will carry this out on the first of each month through next November.
Anyway, December. Right off of the bat here, Advent has begun. Advent, for those of you who don't know, is the season of preparation in the Church leading up to Christmas, much like Lent is to Easter. However, Advent is not as solemn as Lent, as the Church holds Christmas in lower regard to Easter. Advent starts the new liturgical year too, though, so today is New Year's Day in a sense.
December, it should be noted, is the only month in which I tolerate Winter. As you know, I despise the cold and Winter in general, but I make an exception for Christmas. Here, the Winter aesthetically makes sense with Christmas. Snow just complements the scene and really drives the spirit of Christmas. So here, Winter works...but only here! As I say, "Winter is pointless after Christmas."
But I digress. I hold December to be one of the most romantic months of the year, if not the most. There are so many date ideas that coincide with Christmas, specifically I am thinking of the Illuminations display at the Botanical Gardens in Wichita. The tranquility of these Christmas and Winter scenes strike me as a very peaceful and romantic in nature. I have never been on a sleigh ride, but I hear those are very good for couples too.
As far as sports go, December is the last month of non-conference play in NCAA basketball until the NCAA Tournament in March. Also, December is the last month of the regular season in the NFL. This month, we will see who finally will make the playoffs!
Those are my thoughts on December. My next blog post will be a multi-part review of one of the worst disaster movies of all time: The Day after Tomorrow.
Anyway, December. Right off of the bat here, Advent has begun. Advent, for those of you who don't know, is the season of preparation in the Church leading up to Christmas, much like Lent is to Easter. However, Advent is not as solemn as Lent, as the Church holds Christmas in lower regard to Easter. Advent starts the new liturgical year too, though, so today is New Year's Day in a sense.
December, it should be noted, is the only month in which I tolerate Winter. As you know, I despise the cold and Winter in general, but I make an exception for Christmas. Here, the Winter aesthetically makes sense with Christmas. Snow just complements the scene and really drives the spirit of Christmas. So here, Winter works...but only here! As I say, "Winter is pointless after Christmas."
But I digress. I hold December to be one of the most romantic months of the year, if not the most. There are so many date ideas that coincide with Christmas, specifically I am thinking of the Illuminations display at the Botanical Gardens in Wichita. The tranquility of these Christmas and Winter scenes strike me as a very peaceful and romantic in nature. I have never been on a sleigh ride, but I hear those are very good for couples too.
As far as sports go, December is the last month of non-conference play in NCAA basketball until the NCAA Tournament in March. Also, December is the last month of the regular season in the NFL. This month, we will see who finally will make the playoffs!
Those are my thoughts on December. My next blog post will be a multi-part review of one of the worst disaster movies of all time: The Day after Tomorrow.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
The Fall of the Republic: Preview and Release News
I was wondering in the weeks since I have finished the Fall of the Republic whether or not I would be able to drop snippets or run a preview. Since I have decided to go ahead and self-publish this and the ensuing sequels, I have no qualms about writing a quick summary for you.
In the year 2040, an organization not unlike the Nazis will rise to national prominence called the Globalists. They will use a political party called the American Party as a front to win national office and begin to change the country in the ways that they desire.
Before this though, they engaged in heavy domestic terrorism, spearheaded by their leader, Jared Bennett. One of these attacks kills the girlfriend and daughter of the protagonist, Greg Carlton. Now the Globalists are good at hiding their covert activities and Greg doesn't know that they did it until nine months after the bombing. Greg Carlton goes out then and forms a militia, almost by accident, which resists the Globalists as the year drags on. Three different times, he will get into a duel with Jared Bennett.
A third character is an innocent bystander named Rebecca Daniels. She has been on the streets for the past three years since her parents were killed in an accident, having refused to stay in the foster homes she was put into. Her case worker cuts her a deal and Rebecca finally finds a family that she finally settles in. She tries to resume normal life, but it won't work out when Greg's war on the Globalists crosses her path.
If this book were a movie, it would be rated "R" for violence and brief strong language. I do drop a few f-bombs towards the end of the book, to reflect the anger of Jared Bennett of the dilemmas that he comes across, to put it mildly. I want to say this so that the right, mature audience reads this.
As for the release: I am self-publishing this through Amazon.com. It will become available immediately for Kindle tomorrow when the editors at Amazon approve the design for the book that I submitted. As for the print version, I imagine that it will be available then too, but I will confirm this tomorrow when the final details are made available to me. I also selected an option that allows it to be sent to other bookstores and retailers, but it will not be available there for at least 6-8 weeks, so do not expect that until the New Year.
The Fall of the Republic will cost $17.99 upon release tomorrow. I hope you all will enjoy reading it. I plan on writing the second book over Christmas Break and release it by Spring Break. I will write the third book at the end of the next semester and release during the Summer.
I started writing this book on December 7, 2007. The rough draft was 50% longer than this version is and had many more main characters. I integrated them into this new version well I believe while staying true to my original plan. I cannot believe that after nearly six years, my book will hit the online shelves tomorrow. It is very thrilling to have completed this and I hope that you all like it.
Robert
In the year 2040, an organization not unlike the Nazis will rise to national prominence called the Globalists. They will use a political party called the American Party as a front to win national office and begin to change the country in the ways that they desire.
Before this though, they engaged in heavy domestic terrorism, spearheaded by their leader, Jared Bennett. One of these attacks kills the girlfriend and daughter of the protagonist, Greg Carlton. Now the Globalists are good at hiding their covert activities and Greg doesn't know that they did it until nine months after the bombing. Greg Carlton goes out then and forms a militia, almost by accident, which resists the Globalists as the year drags on. Three different times, he will get into a duel with Jared Bennett.
A third character is an innocent bystander named Rebecca Daniels. She has been on the streets for the past three years since her parents were killed in an accident, having refused to stay in the foster homes she was put into. Her case worker cuts her a deal and Rebecca finally finds a family that she finally settles in. She tries to resume normal life, but it won't work out when Greg's war on the Globalists crosses her path.
If this book were a movie, it would be rated "R" for violence and brief strong language. I do drop a few f-bombs towards the end of the book, to reflect the anger of Jared Bennett of the dilemmas that he comes across, to put it mildly. I want to say this so that the right, mature audience reads this.
As for the release: I am self-publishing this through Amazon.com. It will become available immediately for Kindle tomorrow when the editors at Amazon approve the design for the book that I submitted. As for the print version, I imagine that it will be available then too, but I will confirm this tomorrow when the final details are made available to me. I also selected an option that allows it to be sent to other bookstores and retailers, but it will not be available there for at least 6-8 weeks, so do not expect that until the New Year.
The Fall of the Republic will cost $17.99 upon release tomorrow. I hope you all will enjoy reading it. I plan on writing the second book over Christmas Break and release it by Spring Break. I will write the third book at the end of the next semester and release during the Summer.
I started writing this book on December 7, 2007. The rough draft was 50% longer than this version is and had many more main characters. I integrated them into this new version well I believe while staying true to my original plan. I cannot believe that after nearly six years, my book will hit the online shelves tomorrow. It is very thrilling to have completed this and I hope that you all like it.
Robert
Upset City in San Juan
As part of the series of annual early season tournaments, the Puerto Rico Tip-Off is an eight man tournament that started today. Wichita State even played in it a couple of years ago. This year, the field is Kansas State of the Big XII, Georgetown of the Big East, VCU of the Atlantic 10, Michigan of the Big 10, Northeastern of the Colonial, Charlotte of Conference USA, Florida State of the ACC, and Long Beach State of the Big West.
With these tournaments, every team will play three games. If a team lost a quarterfinal game, they are relegated to the loser's bracket. There are two loser bracket games. If you lose that game, you are relegated to a seventh place game. The winner of the loser bracket's games play in a fifth place game. Meanwhile, the winners of the quarterfinal games play in the semifinals. The losers of the semifinals play in a third place game, while the winners play in the championship game. The Maui Invitational is like this as well.
The top of the bracket was Kansas State vs. Charlotte and Georgetown vs. Northeastern. The bottom half was Michigan vs. Long Beach State and VCU vs. Florida State. I thought that VCU would beat Georgetown in the final. That being said, let's look at the quarterfinal games today.
Charlotte 68, Kansas State 61
I shouldn't be surprised by this now; Kansas State did lose their home opener to a Big Sky team. Still, this is a very undignified loss and Kansas State will likely miss the NCAA Tournament with those two losses on their schedule, unless they can turn it around quickly. As for how Charlotte won, Kansas State shot 37% from the field, including 19% from beyond the arc. Kansas State also went 12 of 19 from the free throw line. Charlotte outrebounded Kansas State 46-34
Northeastern 63, Georgetown 56
Once upon a time, early in the second half, Georgetown was leading 40-26. One 14-0 run later the game was tied. Down the stretch, Northeastern dominated the interior and this fueled the upset of the Hoyas.
#14 Michigan 85, Long Beach State 61
Finally something that makes sense. Long Beach State has finally far off of its status as trendy upset pick in the Tournament and may not even win their own weak conference.
Florida State 85, #10 VCU 67
Jaw-dropping. That is all I had to say about this. VCU actually made it look better than it was; at one point towards the end of the game, Florida State was up by a staggering 30 points before VCU closed the game on a 12-0 run. Florida State tore up VCU on the interior and I saw many of the Seminole's plays end in emphatic dunks. VCU had terrible field goal defense as well; they allowed Florida State to shoot 54% while shooting 29% themselves.
The Loser's Bracket is Kansas State vs. Georgetown and Long Beach State vs. VCU. The semifinals are Northeastern vs. Charlotte and Michigan vs. Florida State.
With these tournaments, every team will play three games. If a team lost a quarterfinal game, they are relegated to the loser's bracket. There are two loser bracket games. If you lose that game, you are relegated to a seventh place game. The winner of the loser bracket's games play in a fifth place game. Meanwhile, the winners of the quarterfinal games play in the semifinals. The losers of the semifinals play in a third place game, while the winners play in the championship game. The Maui Invitational is like this as well.
The top of the bracket was Kansas State vs. Charlotte and Georgetown vs. Northeastern. The bottom half was Michigan vs. Long Beach State and VCU vs. Florida State. I thought that VCU would beat Georgetown in the final. That being said, let's look at the quarterfinal games today.
Charlotte 68, Kansas State 61
I shouldn't be surprised by this now; Kansas State did lose their home opener to a Big Sky team. Still, this is a very undignified loss and Kansas State will likely miss the NCAA Tournament with those two losses on their schedule, unless they can turn it around quickly. As for how Charlotte won, Kansas State shot 37% from the field, including 19% from beyond the arc. Kansas State also went 12 of 19 from the free throw line. Charlotte outrebounded Kansas State 46-34
Northeastern 63, Georgetown 56
Once upon a time, early in the second half, Georgetown was leading 40-26. One 14-0 run later the game was tied. Down the stretch, Northeastern dominated the interior and this fueled the upset of the Hoyas.
#14 Michigan 85, Long Beach State 61
Finally something that makes sense. Long Beach State has finally far off of its status as trendy upset pick in the Tournament and may not even win their own weak conference.
Florida State 85, #10 VCU 67
Jaw-dropping. That is all I had to say about this. VCU actually made it look better than it was; at one point towards the end of the game, Florida State was up by a staggering 30 points before VCU closed the game on a 12-0 run. Florida State tore up VCU on the interior and I saw many of the Seminole's plays end in emphatic dunks. VCU had terrible field goal defense as well; they allowed Florida State to shoot 54% while shooting 29% themselves.
The Loser's Bracket is Kansas State vs. Georgetown and Long Beach State vs. VCU. The semifinals are Northeastern vs. Charlotte and Michigan vs. Florida State.
Tuesday, November 19, 2013
Seven Score and Ten Years Ago
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent, a new nation, conceived in Liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation, or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battle-field of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate -- we can not consecrate -- we can not hallow -- this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us -- that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion -- that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain -- that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom -- and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.
Abraham Lincoln
November 19, 1863
November 19, 1863
The above is one of the shortest and most profound speech in the history of the United States. It is the Gettysburg Address, a speech made by President Abraham Lincoln at the site of the Battle of Gettysburg. The President and others were there on that day to dedicate a portion of the battlefield as a cemetery for the tens of the thousands of Americans who had died during the battle.
A little background though: The Battle of Gettysburg was the single bloodiest battle to have ever occurred in the Western Hemisphere. Between the two sides there were nearly 50,000 casualties, including 8,000 dead. It was the turning point of the Civil War, however; this battle coupled with the fall of Vicksburg along the Mississippi River spelled the eventual doom of the rebel Confederacy.
A few months after the battle, on November 19th, 1863, which is 150 years ago today, the battlefield was dedicated and President Lincoln gave his speech. He spoke after the main orator of the day, Edward Everett. Everett spoke for two hours on the battle and after he was done, President Lincoln came up to deliver his closing remarks on the dedication ceremony.
In the very first sentence, he alludes to the past with that famous quote, "Four score and seven years ago," It had been 87 years since the Declaration of Independence and Lincoln started the address with this. He recalled how the nation had been "conceived in liberty and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal." In the context of the Civil War, this had great meaning, as Lincoln went on to explain in the next sentence.
In the next sentence, President Lincoln talks about the battle and why the ceremony was even occurring. He honors the men "that gave their lives that this nation might live." In the main portion of the address though, he says that they themselves could not consecrate the ground where the men who died would rest, instead he says, "the brave men who struggled here have consecrated it." He implores them to keep fighting so that the dead did not die in vain.
It was a profound speech that still rings true today. As it is said, "Freedom is only a generation from being extinct." It is up to us to fight for it, so that these men, who died in the worst conflict in American history, did not die in vain. We must always strive to protect those unalienable right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and always recognize that all men are created equal.
Robert
It was a profound speech that still rings true today. As it is said, "Freedom is only a generation from being extinct." It is up to us to fight for it, so that these men, who died in the worst conflict in American history, did not die in vain. We must always strive to protect those unalienable right of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness and always recognize that all men are created equal.
Robert
What is the Northeast Conference on?
With the new college basketball season well underway, I am going to take a look at a conference that seems to so far be well overachieving. The Northeast Conference is a coalition of schools, a fair number of which are small Catholic universities like Mount St. Mary's, that stretches from New York to Virginia. Their basketball prowess is lacking, however. The Northeast fields teams that are always either #15 or #16 seeds in the NCAA Tournament and the last team in the conference to win a tournament game was Mount St. Mary's in the play-in game in the 2008 tournament.
So the Northeast is in that exclusive bottom tier of conferences like the SWAC, MAAC, America East, and so on. I say this because right out of the gate this year, they have been overachieving. I will highlight a few examples here.
Bryant 87, Vermont 64
While Vermont is in America East, it is unusual that a NEC team will beat down on another lower-conference team like this. This is the kind of score you would see when a power conference team would play Vermont.
Robert Morris 59, Kentucky 57
I know this happened last year but it still funny.
St. Francis (NY) 66, Miami 62 OT
Apparently Miami was hurting more than we thought. Miami last year won the ACC outright and made it to the Sweet 16. This year, they lost their first game at home to a team that finished in the bottom half of the NEC and didn't see any postseason play. Oh and St. Francis isn't even done there
#9 Syracuse 56, St. Francis (NY) 50
While they did lose this game, St. Francis led late 50-46 before Syracuse won the game on a 10-0 run. Just the fact that St. Francis was in the game late on the road against a top 10 team is stunning itself. Imagine if they had managed to hold on.
Indiana 73, LIU Brooklyn 72
This was at Indiana. I know Indiana lost its best players from last years Sweet 16 squad, but then they were also playing a team that was a #16 seed a year ago that lost to James Madison of the Colonial in a First Four game. The best part? LIU Brooklyn had the ball with a chance to win at the last second.
I will be keeping an eye on these teams as the season goes on. If they can continue their upstart ways, the team that ends up winning the conference tournament in March may end up with as high as a #13 seed, with ripe pickings for an upset. It will be entertaining to watch for sure.
Robert
So the Northeast is in that exclusive bottom tier of conferences like the SWAC, MAAC, America East, and so on. I say this because right out of the gate this year, they have been overachieving. I will highlight a few examples here.
Bryant 87, Vermont 64
While Vermont is in America East, it is unusual that a NEC team will beat down on another lower-conference team like this. This is the kind of score you would see when a power conference team would play Vermont.
Robert Morris 59, Kentucky 57
I know this happened last year but it still funny.
St. Francis (NY) 66, Miami 62 OT
Apparently Miami was hurting more than we thought. Miami last year won the ACC outright and made it to the Sweet 16. This year, they lost their first game at home to a team that finished in the bottom half of the NEC and didn't see any postseason play. Oh and St. Francis isn't even done there
#9 Syracuse 56, St. Francis (NY) 50
While they did lose this game, St. Francis led late 50-46 before Syracuse won the game on a 10-0 run. Just the fact that St. Francis was in the game late on the road against a top 10 team is stunning itself. Imagine if they had managed to hold on.
Indiana 73, LIU Brooklyn 72
This was at Indiana. I know Indiana lost its best players from last years Sweet 16 squad, but then they were also playing a team that was a #16 seed a year ago that lost to James Madison of the Colonial in a First Four game. The best part? LIU Brooklyn had the ball with a chance to win at the last second.
I will be keeping an eye on these teams as the season goes on. If they can continue their upstart ways, the team that ends up winning the conference tournament in March may end up with as high as a #13 seed, with ripe pickings for an upset. It will be entertaining to watch for sure.
Robert
Monday, November 18, 2013
Something Winter Our Way Comes
I don't know where I heard that phrase or if I thought of it, but I do like it. When said perfectly it contains a certain weight to it that creates an atmosphere of mystery and foreboding. It sends a thrill in a way to the ones listening.
I say that now of course because it looks like Winter is rearing its ugly head too soon. I am not going to beat around the bush; I hate Winter. That feeling was exacerbated when this past Winter turned into a disaster that would not abate until May 2nd. It snowed in Wichita, where I was at the time, on May 2nd. Two years before, on May 9th, 2011, it had gotten up to 100 degrees. Why couldn't it do that instead?!
But, I digress. During this "Summer" the Arctic experienced far colder than normal temperatures. Not only did this allow the ice pack up there to recover somewhat, which is another story, but it seemed to have built up pool of frigid air that was chomping at the bit to assert itself.
That piercing cold air is already on the move. On October 18th, it snowed across most of Kansas. Much like I hadn't seen it snow in May before, I likewise had not seen it snow in October either. That, unfortunately, just seemed to be an appetizer. As November has dragged on, the frigid air has asserted its authority across the midsection of the United States.
On November 11th and November 12th, the temperature dived to the teens for the lows. The average low for November in Lawrence is about freezing. The weather did warm up somewhat in the next days, but that is going to be short lived. Another system is posed to dive across the United States and if the forecast holds, it will be the coldest it has gotten yet.
According to the current forecast for the next few days from the National Weather Service, a huge air mass of Arctic air will move its way down starting in the Rockies and then moving out into the Plains. Right now in Southern Canada where the air mass is at right now, the temperatures range from zero degrees to -20. Starting Tuesday, it will move into the United States.
Here is what looks like will develop for Lawrence: Tuesday will be nice, with the high reaching about 60 and a strong breeze from the south. The moderate winds from the south should be a warning: when a system is about to move in, it pulls up warm moist air from the south. In warmer conditions, it would cause severe weather. Here, it will just cause a chance of rain and thunderstorms. There is a chance of rain for Lawrence Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
By Thursday though, the frigid air mass will reach Lawrence. The high that day is supposed to be 49, but I am willing to bet that it is one of those days where the high occurs overnight. The temperature will fall during the day and by the evening the predicted rain will switch to snow. The snow is expected to continue all of Friday before tapering off Saturday morning.
I am going to go on record as saying that the earliest in a season I can remember there being accumulating snow was December 21, 1998. Incidentally, that was also the first time I remember it getting below zero as well. That shouldn't happen this time, but not by much; following the snow the temperatures will be frigid, not even making it above freezing on Saturday and nose diving to around 10 on Saturday night. The recovery will be slow too.
So it looks like that Winter has finally stopped toying with us and will start to settle in. I despise Winter, except in one context: Christmas. I will discuss that another time, but for now, prepare for this coming cold snap accordingly.
Robert
I say that now of course because it looks like Winter is rearing its ugly head too soon. I am not going to beat around the bush; I hate Winter. That feeling was exacerbated when this past Winter turned into a disaster that would not abate until May 2nd. It snowed in Wichita, where I was at the time, on May 2nd. Two years before, on May 9th, 2011, it had gotten up to 100 degrees. Why couldn't it do that instead?!
But, I digress. During this "Summer" the Arctic experienced far colder than normal temperatures. Not only did this allow the ice pack up there to recover somewhat, which is another story, but it seemed to have built up pool of frigid air that was chomping at the bit to assert itself.
That piercing cold air is already on the move. On October 18th, it snowed across most of Kansas. Much like I hadn't seen it snow in May before, I likewise had not seen it snow in October either. That, unfortunately, just seemed to be an appetizer. As November has dragged on, the frigid air has asserted its authority across the midsection of the United States.
On November 11th and November 12th, the temperature dived to the teens for the lows. The average low for November in Lawrence is about freezing. The weather did warm up somewhat in the next days, but that is going to be short lived. Another system is posed to dive across the United States and if the forecast holds, it will be the coldest it has gotten yet.
According to the current forecast for the next few days from the National Weather Service, a huge air mass of Arctic air will move its way down starting in the Rockies and then moving out into the Plains. Right now in Southern Canada where the air mass is at right now, the temperatures range from zero degrees to -20. Starting Tuesday, it will move into the United States.
Here is what looks like will develop for Lawrence: Tuesday will be nice, with the high reaching about 60 and a strong breeze from the south. The moderate winds from the south should be a warning: when a system is about to move in, it pulls up warm moist air from the south. In warmer conditions, it would cause severe weather. Here, it will just cause a chance of rain and thunderstorms. There is a chance of rain for Lawrence Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday.
By Thursday though, the frigid air mass will reach Lawrence. The high that day is supposed to be 49, but I am willing to bet that it is one of those days where the high occurs overnight. The temperature will fall during the day and by the evening the predicted rain will switch to snow. The snow is expected to continue all of Friday before tapering off Saturday morning.
I am going to go on record as saying that the earliest in a season I can remember there being accumulating snow was December 21, 1998. Incidentally, that was also the first time I remember it getting below zero as well. That shouldn't happen this time, but not by much; following the snow the temperatures will be frigid, not even making it above freezing on Saturday and nose diving to around 10 on Saturday night. The recovery will be slow too.
So it looks like that Winter has finally stopped toying with us and will start to settle in. I despise Winter, except in one context: Christmas. I will discuss that another time, but for now, prepare for this coming cold snap accordingly.
Robert
In the Beginning...
I have a friend who writes a blog and it seems to work well for her. I have decided to move into that kind of thing myself.
What shall I fill these posts with? Well pretty much anything because it seems like I have interests in every field. I have interests in politics, history, weather, sports, movies, and music. I feel that I can discuss these at length with some manner of competence and I hope that you the reader will find that as well.
As a fair warning to anyone reading this, I am Roman Catholic and from the United States. I mention the United States because since I have conservative political beliefs as well, you have an idea of what I mean by that. Being conservative means different things between here in the United States and say, Russia. It should give you a good idea of where I would be coming from.
That is just a brief outline. I hope to write much more besides this and I hope that you will enjoy and perhaps be informed about some things if you are interested. Anything that I do though will be well-researched and verified before I post it. I like to make sure I am right and stay as close to the truth as I possibly can.
This is just the beginning. I hope you all will enjoy this.
Robert
What shall I fill these posts with? Well pretty much anything because it seems like I have interests in every field. I have interests in politics, history, weather, sports, movies, and music. I feel that I can discuss these at length with some manner of competence and I hope that you the reader will find that as well.
As a fair warning to anyone reading this, I am Roman Catholic and from the United States. I mention the United States because since I have conservative political beliefs as well, you have an idea of what I mean by that. Being conservative means different things between here in the United States and say, Russia. It should give you a good idea of where I would be coming from.
That is just a brief outline. I hope to write much more besides this and I hope that you will enjoy and perhaps be informed about some things if you are interested. Anything that I do though will be well-researched and verified before I post it. I like to make sure I am right and stay as close to the truth as I possibly can.
This is just the beginning. I hope you all will enjoy this.
Robert
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