Christopher A. Chapman

A political post? Lots of words? Ugh. Yes.

2008-10-23T00:17:00.005-05:00

I've made it a mission to not get into this election. As some know, I've always said that McCain never had a chance because I like what he does in Congress..... champion cuts in spending and doesn't overtly try to mingle church and state. To my disbelief, he actually captured the Republican nomination.

Well, McCain's not really looking so genuine under all this election scrutiny. In fact, sometime he looks horridly out-of-touch. Plus his economic advisers are not too thrilling, or downright dangerous. At least his running mate looks pretty, since viewing ugly people on TV make me tired. Meanwhile, that other guy, the epitome of a Democratic Party opportunist, has Paul Volker. How cool. How strange. How compelling.

This bastion of the Regan era (by way of Jimmy Carter's administration), Chairman Voker, was the most powerful man in the world for almost a decade. The paradox is, some of the Obama socialist-leaning agenda could really sink the foundations of capitalism if they actually take root. Someone like Volker really couldn't agree with the policy choices, as there is no way to pay for the goodies. Since Obama made this economic advisor choice, and Volker agreed to assist, I think it is a striking statement about Obama's leadership decisions. Striking in a very positive way (both politically and pragmatically).

All of the paradoxes from both candidates continue to make me appreciate the Libertarian cause. The party platform still is stirring to me. Although, to be fair, both major party candidates are vastly more appealing than anything I can recall since I've been able to vote back in 1992. Still, the recent credit crunch is too hard to fathom, and federalization is a giant trend that looks unstoppable, regardless of the election's outcome.

I don't have to agonize about what choice to make this election. In Alabama, the state is a vivid RED color. My vote seriously does not matter. This is a solid way to avoid critical thought. I know that my vote is statistically irrelevant here in Birmingham. But, I still agonize. I really dislike Bob Barr (the Libertarian candidate, but one-time a pretty icky Republican Congressman from Georgia), and have personally seen him speak. So, do I still vote Libertarian as I have for every previous presidential election? Maybe.

But, the Obama leadership and charisma is hard to ignore. For example, the way he is motivating the country and raising campaign money is just amazing. Check out this great work of art from San Franscisco. Mc Yogi scripted a masterpiece. It kind of reminds me of listening to The Low End Theoy, by A Tribe Called Quest, for the first time in college, and being blown away. Mc Yogi captures this Tribe vibe and works it. A great, powerful, video. Check it out....

Obama '08 - Vote For Hope from MC Yogi on Vimeo.

Amelia, the night owl

2008-10-15T00:56:00.001-05:00

The family took an overnight trip to the Chattanooga Aquarium to celebrate Columbus Day. Here's Amelia playing "batman" and refusing to sleep. We are in the hotel lobby (11:30 PM) while my wife and son sleep peacefully.

Fiddling with Twitterfeed

2008-10-03T01:18:00.002-05:00

Yes, no one cares about this post. But, I'm trying to pass my blog entry to Twitter, and then on to Facebook. Let's see how this test of Twitterfeed works.

Video highlight of Ethan's GOAL.

2008-09-30T21:02:00.006-05:00

My son scored two tonight. But, as usual, he was a real force as a defender. He shut down several drives as he ran hard and never gave up on a play. It was about 76 degrees and no wind, thus a perfect evening to watch a victory.

Am I happy? Rammer Jammer Happy, I am.

2008-09-28T10:51:00.002-05:00

Here's a quote from Sports Illustrated below:

The Bulldogs and their fellow Cocktail Partiers, Florida, could spend Nov. 1 looking like two lonely drunks at the end of a desolate bar while the rest of the national title contender party moves to the hip new club across the street. You know the one. It used to be the place to go, then it just sort of fell off the map. Now it's under new ownership, and there's a line out the door every Saturday night. Call it Club Tide.

UGA can say goodbye to championship hopes - Andy Staples - SI.com

Can you say ribs?

2008-09-19T12:27:00.001-05:00

Ribs in Memphis. Maybe the best I ever had.

Panther vs Panther

2008-09-05T23:02:00.004-05:00

It is more than just a football game. Tomorrow, Birmingham-Southern battles LaGrange College. Family ties to LaGrange will make the BSC victory even sweeter.

Ethan, Amelia, and Lynn will all be there to enjoy a "high-scoring" Division III contest. Prediction: 12-3.

Google Chrome

2008-09-03T06:47:00.004-05:00

I continue to be a slave to all things Google. I just downloaded the new internet browser last night and the performance seems fine on my antique laptop. In fact, maybe there will be more stability for the Ajax goodness of Google Reader, Gmail, etc.

But, all that said, it seems that Firefox 3.0 still is faster. Speed is good.

Update: I was creating this post in the Chrome browser. I switched to Firefox to finish when the Blogger image-upload function failed to work. Yes, Google also owns Blogger.

Yes, I had a great time at the game.

2008-09-01T13:12:00.003-05:00

The atmosphere was great. I've got three short videos of the Alabama vs. Clemson game posted on YouTube. Find them here, here, and here.

In addition, I've got photos of the game from my seats, and from my time in Hernando and Brooke Moreno's sky box. It was a great time!

Right at kickoff, Lynn sent the attached photo to me. The kids were at home cheering loudly. Surely, that led to victory. :)

Bama V Clemson 2008 - A view from the sky box

2008-09-01T13:11:00.001-05:00

Yes, I was in the sky box for the Bama smack down of Clemson. Take a look around.

Bama v Clemson 2008 - Roll Tide Roll

2008-09-01T13:08:00.001-05:00

Bad video. But, it is hard to take quality shots when your ears are bleeding from all the noise at kickoff

Bama v Clemson 2008 -BAMA "shout out"

2008-09-01T13:05:00.001-05:00

I had a great time at the Georgia Dome this weekend. This is how everything started.

Fantasy Football is here again.

2008-08-25T19:07:00.000-05:00

How to spend a Saturday without Lynn

2008-08-16T13:15:00.001-05:00

Lynn is assisting with ZTA Rush in Tuscaloosa today. So, how do the kids play when Mommy is away?

Well, we went to Birmingham-Southern to watch the football scrimmage at 9:0 this morning. But, it was packed. For a D-III non-scholarship football scrimmage? Yes indeed. That's football in Alabama. There may have been 200 there. A good crowd considering that 2,000 may be the biggest fan attendance this year. Maybe year 2 of Panther football may have lots of excitement. And it may have lots of temporary seating. The Press Box is in an early construction phase. I think it will be very nice.... in 2009.

Next, we went to McDonald's for a two hour lunch (with lots and lots of playground time). Then, grocery shopping. Now we are at Books-A-Million so I can work on my Fantasy Football draft by skimming several strategy magazines. I'm taking home the one from Rotoworld.com.

Ethan, a studious Kindergartener

2008-08-11T08:01:00.001-05:00

Ethan gets to work on his first day at Shades Cahaba.

Ethan's Water Party Bash

2008-08-09T22:48:00.002-05:00

The kindergarten countdown is on. About 20 children had a great time with one last big summer sensation. 65 photos may be a bit overblown. But, the water slide in our driveway was huge. So the volume of memories saved should be huge as well. Enjoy by clicking here.

Prepping for the Kindergarten party

2008-08-09T11:43:00.000-05:00

Ethan's start of the school year "blowout" is less than 3 hours away.

Football is on the mind

2008-08-07T13:49:00.001-05:00

Bama v Clemson tickets have arrived!

Test of mobile blogging via MMS

2008-08-01T15:03:00.001-05:00

I've tried several methods of blogging via the Blackberry. Let's give this a go.

Family Summer Vaction... complete :(

2008-08-01T12:54:00.003-05:00

The trip to the mountains is in the books for the family. I've got LOTS of pictures from the trip and other July 2008 activities ready to view. Please follow the link to view this month's action in pictures. It has a little of everything. From Lynn's ZTA Convention in Tuscon, to Barrett's 5th birthday party, about 70 photos tells a lengthy story covering a busy month.

Fun in the summertime

2008-08-01T12:45:00.002-05:00

As I wait for my friends to join me in the mountains for weekend rafting, I'm trying to "clean up" and post new family pictures. Some random shots from the month of June can be found at this link.

Updates to the site

2008-07-22T06:13:00.005-05:00

I've updated the look of the blog just a bit. The contact information is now up-to-date.

In addition, I've removed the Meebo widget and replaced it with something far more useful. The countdown to kickoff clock is prominently displayed. Thanks to Ian Rappaport's Rap Sheet blog in the Birmingham News web site for displaying the clock.

For even more useless drivel, review my Tweets from Twitter. They are also embedded in the sidebar.

Santa's Land

2008-07-10T15:25:00.003-05:00

I'm having fun in the mountains with my parents and kids. Lynn is off at a resort in Tuscon, AZ living the good life. We're both a bit envious of each other. I'd love to see the desert's beauty. But, seeing my kids enjoy Santa's Land in Cherokee, NC may be an even bigger treat. We had a great time. For a full gallery of fuzzy pictures (taken by my Blackberry), hit this link.

Rafting in May

2008-07-05T16:27:00.004-05:00

It is July. It is hot. But, not long ago, I conquered the Cheoah River in North Carolina. I'll return to the mountains on Monday afternoon. And, I'll be taking another rafting trip on August 1st. So, to get ready, click on this link for photos from the fun time in May.

Saab Aero X Concept Car

2008-06-09T21:57:00.001-05:00

Please oh please SAAB. The world needs this car. I know that the vehicle is a concept car.... but change nothing. Get to it.