Change I can't believe in

The news that Mike Shanahan had been fired came across the wire as I was stuffing my face full of peanut butter chocolate christmas tree. I'm not one to shock easily, but some tree nearly fell out of my mouth before I realized it was hanging open. I've heard all the reasons why he had to go from the fair-weather Bronco fans, and they're all complete and utter BS. Strip him of the VP of Operations role if you must, but in the end there is no better head football coach out there right now than Shanny. Did he fail to challenge a play he should have? Did he forget to watch film of the Chargers last week? I'm pretty sure he knows which way the wind is blowing and when to defer the overtime coin toss unlike Jeff Fisher. The bottom line is this a mistake and there isn't someone better out there to replace him.

My lasting image of Coach Shanahan will always be from Super Bowl 33 - watching him on the sidelines, pouring over the photos of the Falcons defense. He goes over to the bench with Elway and shows him what he's seeing, and he's saying "it's going to be wide open!". Morten Anderson misses a chip-shot field goal, and on the very next play Elway loads it up and throws an 80 yard bomb to Rod Smith for the touchdown that effectively ended the game. He earned his title of "Mastermind" and a few first round-draft-pick-defensive-busts will never change that. I wish him the best of luck in whatever he decides to do next, and sincerely hope that he goes to the Lions or something and has them in the Super Bowl in three years time. Maybe then Bronco-nation will realize it just made a pretty big mistake.

Christmas in the Carolinas

We've returned from a trip to Charlotte and Greenville (Greer, technically) where we spent time with our respective Mom's and saw the Broncos get pummeled by the Panthers. I have to say that it's a lot more fun to spend all that money and drive all that way when your team wins, but it was good to spend time with family that we don't get to see nearly enough....anyway, some pics from the trip (as a lowly Pre-Press droid, I can of course only afford tickets in the nosebleeds...) for your inspection....

A little orange and blue in a sea of teal...the baby had his/her jersey on as well!

Just before the opening kickoff (the highlight of the game)

Jay Cutler brings the Broncos offense to the line...

And goes back to pass...

A lonely Mastermind...

My mother-in-law's new place. There's something about a house on a hill...

Allison after opening the BEST PRESENT SHE'S EVER RECEIVED!!!

Seagulls invade Lake Robinson, near my Mom's new house...

My Mother and my only sibling, K'Ehleyr (K-lar). Yes, K'Ehleyr.

A day in the life of Okatie Park

A few photos taken with my new Nikon D60 - yes, in addition to doing my part to stimulate the economy, I'm stocking up on gadgets now. I'm told that once the baby comes you spend your money solely on it and nothing else. Not sure how my gadget addiction will play into that....we'll see.


The tallest current member of the rose garden Allison planted a while back


A rose by any other name...


Ady stands guard in the front yard, ready to defend us from evil pine cones...


Vultures hovering overhead, perhaps sensing the end of a newspaper career?


The back gate at night...


A car drives down Old Bailey Road...


The stars behind our house...

HOLY CRAP!!!

As noted by my lovely wife, on or around June 17th, 2009 there will be another Bonner in the world. I had always said that I didn't want to have children until I was over thirty, which seemed like a good idea during my twenties until I actually passed right on by thirty this past March and realized I was out of time. Still, much like buying a computer if you wait and wait and wait until the time is right you'll probably never buy one. My emotions range from happy and excited to scared poo-less over how we're going to pay for this bundle of joy with uncertain (to say the least) futures at both our places of employment. Overall though, when I see things that I can now buy like this and this I'm not nearly as afraid of the sleepless nights and dirty diapers as I was before. Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go register a couple of domains for the little Padawan to come....one less thing for the kid to have to worry about when they grow up!

Last wishes

Tonight I attended the memorial service for the husband of one of my staff members who passed away last Sunday after a fight with Pancreatic cancer. The service was held in a Bluffton church, and the Reverend didn't miss the chance to tell everyone there how they'd better get right with God. It would have been nice if this dude had realized it was Thursday and not Sunday, saved the sermon and respected that many people there weren't there for God but to pay their respects. Anyway, while I was sitting there apparently punching my one way ticket to Hell, I began thinking about my own funeral. Allison knows my wishes, but just in case she's not able to carry those out, I thought I'd put it here on the blog so that there wouldn't be any question because I seriously don't want to end up in a place like where I was tonight....

First off, I want my memorial service to be a big party. I want everyone there making fun of me and swapping stories and just celebrating my life - and as such, here are the particulars: it can be held at the Packet (since that's probably what will end up killing me anyway) in the Production conference room. I want Empire Strikes Back playing on the plasma TV (on Blu-Ray, if it's out by then - don't worry, I'm sure I'll have bought it), and everyone gets a Lightsaber when they walk in the door. Everyone. No exceptions. There needs to be a nice jazz band - something with a piano and cello and drums, and someone get Lisa Roti down here. She loves it on Hilton Head (she told me so), so it shouldn't cost too much but whatever she wants, pay it - she's worth it. Now, as for the food this one's pretty easy - whoever is coming from Savannah can pick up the Popeye's. Lots of cajun mashed potatoes and red beans and rice. And biscuits. MANY, many biscuits. Have some honey on hand cuz they never seem to have any.

As for my physical remains, I want to be cremated of course, and I'd like my ashes spread all over Invesco Field. I would have preferred they be spread over Mile High Stadium, but since that's a parking lot now it kind of loses something. Still, I can't think of any other place I'd rather spend my time - and when you see some Chargers wide receiver trip and fall when he's wide open, you'll know that was me :)

"Color of Money" now with more awesome