Let me first start off by saying, I don't hate Boise State (can we just start calling them BSU? Everyone now knows who that is). I also don't like BSU - I guess I'm neutral. Its kind of like how I don't hate TCU or Utah State or Idaho State, but I also really don't care either. Its just that BSU has a good team worth talking about.
So if you've lived under a rock last week BSU beat Virginia Tech - who was at the time ranked #10.
Just so everyone is aware today BSU's chances of going to the National Championship game went up in smoke. Here's the worst part...BSU didn't even play this week. So that means they were at home in front of the TV and all they could do was watch.
Here is what happened. Virginia Tech booked an easy game after the BSU game - a bye almost - in James Madison. (Who? Yeah me too, had to look them up. They play in the CCA south.) So what this means is that likely Tech is done, season is completely over and they should be out of the top 25. That means when the season ends that BSU didn't play anyone ranked. Let me ask, how can they even be considered for the championship now?
Really what this points to is the flaws of the current BCS system. We are never going to know how Alabama or Oho State or Texas will fair against BSU. Unless we change things...
I do think if (and when) BSU goes the rest of the season undefeated they should still be in the top 6-8 teams in the country. There good - all over the field. But they will be left out. Yeah they will play in a BCS bowl game, but its not their goal.
So... lets play it out. Lets see if BSU can beat Texas or Alabama or Ohio State. Can they beat top 5 teams multiple weeks in a row? My proposal is this.
Over a 5-7 year period we slowly move toward a 8 team playoff. And these 8 teams, MUST be their conference champions. That means only one SEC or Big Ten or Pac-10 team. In my opinion that is the first round - get out of your conference as the champion. In the first 3 years we simply do a 4 team playoff and then by year 7 we are fully in an 8 team playoff. Use the current BCS rankings to seed the teams - if a team isn't the conference champion they get thrown out of the top 8. Then use the current BCS bowl games as the playoff games.
Lets face it most aren't watching all the BCS bowl games, but if they meant something and affected the championship then we are watching. It would mean more money for these schools and it would just be plain old fun.
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Saturday, August 28, 2010
Adventures in Remodeling Part 5 - Finally Done
This is the final post related to our remodel of the bathroom. Its been a learning and actually a fun experience. And the best part is that we are pleased with the results.
My last post left off with the need to install a toilet. I was a bit nervous having not ever done this before. I did some reading on the Internet and started going for it. I first took the bowl out of the box and put the wax ring on. (Note to anyone doing a toilet for the first time. Wear latex gloves. The wax was messy and I had to wipe wax off the bowl after I transferred wax from my hands to the toilet.) I then put a bit of plumbers puddy on the bottom of the toilet and dropped in onto the floor. It went on first time with no issues. I tightened down the nuts and everything was secure. Then I put the tank on. I think the manufacture expected inexperienced people like myself to be doing these installs. All I had to do was drop the bolts in the right holes and tighten the nuts. It really was that simple. Then I tested it... No leaks.
So that left us with just a couple of touch ups and putting the new shower curtain and towels up. Of course, Jen did that part.
All in all this was a positive experience. We learned a ton during this experience, knowledge that will help in the future as we tackle other projects. I just look at the bathroom and think, why didn't we do this sooner? Enjoy the pictures!!!
Vanity, Medicine Cabinet and the new rug
Shower curtain and new towels (Jen doesn't let us use them!)
Floor with the toilet. (sorry about the rotation...I was lazy)
My first toilet install!
My last post left off with the need to install a toilet. I was a bit nervous having not ever done this before. I did some reading on the Internet and started going for it. I first took the bowl out of the box and put the wax ring on. (Note to anyone doing a toilet for the first time. Wear latex gloves. The wax was messy and I had to wipe wax off the bowl after I transferred wax from my hands to the toilet.) I then put a bit of plumbers puddy on the bottom of the toilet and dropped in onto the floor. It went on first time with no issues. I tightened down the nuts and everything was secure. Then I put the tank on. I think the manufacture expected inexperienced people like myself to be doing these installs. All I had to do was drop the bolts in the right holes and tighten the nuts. It really was that simple. Then I tested it... No leaks.
So that left us with just a couple of touch ups and putting the new shower curtain and towels up. Of course, Jen did that part.
All in all this was a positive experience. We learned a ton during this experience, knowledge that will help in the future as we tackle other projects. I just look at the bathroom and think, why didn't we do this sooner? Enjoy the pictures!!!
Vanity, Medicine Cabinet and the new rug
Shower curtain and new towels (Jen doesn't let us use them!)
Floor with the toilet. (sorry about the rotation...I was lazy)
My first toilet install!
Adventures in Remodeling Part 4
The forth installment of Adventures in Remodeling, is really quite simple. On tuesday we were having the flooring installed. We picked out a vinyl at Wall to Wall in Pocatello - actually I should say I picked it out. Since we were going with vinyl there was no way I was going to do the install, so we just paid Wall to Wall to do it for us. However...
I had to pull the toilet prior to the installer coming. Now we only have one bathroom, so being without a toilet is going to be a bit of a problem. So we just rented a hotel room at the Holiday Inn in Pocatello. They have a poor designed for kids so it was fun.
I got up early and met the installer at the house. I couldn't believe how quickly he was able to do the work. Plus he did a beautiful job - and he was actually humble and said it was more the vinyl than his work. I think it was a combination. Once again not much for me to do with all of this... I got to take it easy.
Left to do:
There's a look at the floor. It just looks great. And it goes with the vanity.
I had to pull the toilet prior to the installer coming. Now we only have one bathroom, so being without a toilet is going to be a bit of a problem. So we just rented a hotel room at the Holiday Inn in Pocatello. They have a poor designed for kids so it was fun.
I got up early and met the installer at the house. I couldn't believe how quickly he was able to do the work. Plus he did a beautiful job - and he was actually humble and said it was more the vinyl than his work. I think it was a combination. Once again not much for me to do with all of this... I got to take it easy.
Left to do:
- replace toilet
- touch up
There's a look at the floor. It just looks great. And it goes with the vanity.
Sunday, August 22, 2010
Adventures in Remodeling Part 3
So, I got a bit behind on posting about our bathroom remodel. Part this is about the installation of the cabinets. This was done by Walker and Sons construction, because we all know I couldn't do this by myself. They came in the AM and first started putting the vanity in. Everything went pretty well - or at least it did to the untrained eye (I'm the untrained eye). Basically I just stayed the heck out of the way. Actually I helped my nephew with his new computer while they were installing the new cabinets.
The only hiccup we ran into was with the light fixture we had picked out was too big for the medicine cabinet. So Jen and I had to run down to Home Depot to exchange the one we purchased for another one. Of course, we ended up spending more money than we did on the first one.
After lunch I went to work on putting in the sink and the plumbing. The sink went in with no problem. When my brother-in-law cut the hole for the sink he did it perfectly, so the sink just fell into place. I added a bit a silicon to hold it in place and then a little more to keep water from getting under the sink. The plumbing was pretty easy. I've done faucets before so that was a breeze. The drain plug was a bit more tricky than I though it would be. On my first go round I had a leak. So I had to take the whole thing apart and do it again. The second time was a charm.
All in all this day was actually pretty easy since I didn't have a whole lot of work to do.
Left to do:
Here is the medicine cabinet with the new light fixture. Unfortunatly the picture doesn't do it justice.
This is the vanity that Craig, Dan and Shane installed.
The only hiccup we ran into was with the light fixture we had picked out was too big for the medicine cabinet. So Jen and I had to run down to Home Depot to exchange the one we purchased for another one. Of course, we ended up spending more money than we did on the first one.
After lunch I went to work on putting in the sink and the plumbing. The sink went in with no problem. When my brother-in-law cut the hole for the sink he did it perfectly, so the sink just fell into place. I added a bit a silicon to hold it in place and then a little more to keep water from getting under the sink. The plumbing was pretty easy. I've done faucets before so that was a breeze. The drain plug was a bit more tricky than I though it would be. On my first go round I had a leak. So I had to take the whole thing apart and do it again. The second time was a charm.
All in all this day was actually pretty easy since I didn't have a whole lot of work to do.
Left to do:
- replace floor
- replace toilet
- touch up
Here is the medicine cabinet with the new light fixture. Unfortunatly the picture doesn't do it justice.
This is the vanity that Craig, Dan and Shane installed.
Thursday, August 12, 2010
Adventures in Remodeling part 2
Well day two...
Today was paint day, not nearly as stressful and hard as yesterday. For anyone who had been in our bathroom before, you'll remember that it was green from top to bottom. This time around we are going with a Tropical Surf on the walls and white on the ceiling.
Jen started off in the morning doing the prep work. She just had to tape and wipe the dust off the walls. I got home and after throwing back dinner and I got started. First I did the ceiling. Painting above your head actually sucks. I managed to avoid getting any paint in my eyes, hair or mouth. Then I did the trim, also painting it white. It was white before but now it will be a bit brighter with the new coat of paint. Just as I was starting to do the door Jen jumped in and started on the walls. I finished up the white and got that cleaned up and grabbed the roller and helped with the blue.
All in all we spent about 2 1/2 hours painting tonight and we are pleased with the results. We actually almost didn't use the blue - which would have been a waste of $25. I'm actually glad we used it because it turned out to be pretty good.
Left to do:
Finished Wall
Finished Wall
Finished Wall
Me Hard At Work
I had time to smile for the camera
Edging the ceiling
Today was paint day, not nearly as stressful and hard as yesterday. For anyone who had been in our bathroom before, you'll remember that it was green from top to bottom. This time around we are going with a Tropical Surf on the walls and white on the ceiling.
Jen started off in the morning doing the prep work. She just had to tape and wipe the dust off the walls. I got home and after throwing back dinner and I got started. First I did the ceiling. Painting above your head actually sucks. I managed to avoid getting any paint in my eyes, hair or mouth. Then I did the trim, also painting it white. It was white before but now it will be a bit brighter with the new coat of paint. Just as I was starting to do the door Jen jumped in and started on the walls. I finished up the white and got that cleaned up and grabbed the roller and helped with the blue.
All in all we spent about 2 1/2 hours painting tonight and we are pleased with the results. We actually almost didn't use the blue - which would have been a waste of $25. I'm actually glad we used it because it turned out to be pretty good.
Left to do:
- Install Cabinets
- replace floor
- replace toilet
- touch up
Finished Wall
Finished Wall
Finished Wall
Me Hard At Work
I had time to smile for the camera
Edging the ceiling
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Adventures in Remodeling part 1
For fun my wife and I decided to remodel the tiny bathroom we have in our house. While I should have made the first post yesterday, this will hopefully be the first in a series of posts related to our bathroom remodel. This remodel will be new vanity, medicine cabinet, paint, toilet and flooring. We are leaving the bath/shower alone.
Last week was all about the shopping. We made a couple of trips to Lowes and Home Depot here in Pocatello and just looked. Then we went back with the intention of buying. What we discovered was that we needed to just pick a piece and then match everything to it. We picked a faucet and ran with it. Oh, I should mention; my brother-in-law is doing the vanity and cabinet. I have yet to see them, but my wife says they look real good. So with that here goes my shameless plug for my in-laws side business, Walker and Sons. He does an amazing job with cabinets. If your in eastern Idaho look him up and tell him John sent you.
Anyway back to the remodel.,,
Yesterday was all about the ceiling fan. I tried to find one that was exactly the same size, but no luck. So I got one a bit smaller and with some cutting I was able to get it in. However, I flipped the switch and nothing happened. Looks like I have either a bad switch or I have some bad wiring. I gave up on it, my dad will be here in a few weeks and we will look at it then.
Today...
Today was demolition day. First out came the medicine cabinet. That darn thing was only being held up by two screws. Glad we didn't experience a major earthquake. Once that was out I worked on the vanity. My approach was to disconnect the water. Of course this requires turning off the water. This meant going underneath the house. That's never fun, but it wasn't too bad.
Then I disconnected the piping for the sink. Then came the fun part - pulling out that vanity. It took a bit of pounding and a little crow-bar work (and a little blood, sweat and tears), but it came out. During the process, I had asked Jen to come given me a hand since I didn't know what exactly to expect. I stopped because I needed another tool and as I'm walking into the garage I hear BANG, BANG, BANG. Jen had my 3 lb sledge and was going to town.
Once that came out then came off came the old valves and then a quick trip to Home Depot for two replacements. Those went on real easy. Today was finished up with a little clean up and some Spackle and texture.
Tomorrow is paint day...
Bottom line is after 2 day, I'm tired and my hands hurt.
Left to do:
- Paint
- Install Cabinets
- replace floor
- replace toilet
- touch up
 That's where the vanity used to be |
 Another shot of the vanity spot |
 That is where the old cabinet was. |
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Dan Gilbert Is a Moron
Unless you live under a rock or maybe you've been on a military submarine you have heard the biggest sports news of the year - Takeru Kobayashi was recently arrested for rushing the stage at the World Hotdog Eating Championship in New York. What a crazy display...
What? That's not the biggest story you say. OK, back to reality. King James will be hanging with Will Smith in Miami. Was it me or did every radio station seem to play that song like 100 times last Thursday? Seems like everyone knew what was going to happen - apparently even before Lebron himself knew.
This would certainly include one Dan Gilbert. For those that do not know this man he is the current owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers- who recently became the worst team in the NBA Thursday night. Within moments of the official announcement Mr. Gilbert did something absolutely stupid. He writes a letter that basically attempts of bash the best player the franchise may ever see. If you haven't seen the letter go to the Cavaliers website and have a good laugh.
I see two things happening here:
1. Cleveland will never be able to land a free agent all-star. Who in their right mind would ever want to play for this man. James made Gilbert richer than he would have been without James. James put Cleveland on the basketball map. The only other time we historically think about Cleveland basketball - Michael Jordon's shot. Cleveland is done when it comes to basketball and the fans can thank Mr. Gilbert for that.
2. James will do something special next time he is in Cleveland. Here's the thing. Cleveland has no players, no skills and no way of stopping the newest three-headed-monster in the NBA. If I'm Bosh and Wade, I do what ever I can to make sure Lebron drops at least 60 the first time they are in Cleveland. Embarrass the heck out of Cleveland, the fans, and the organization.
James gave them the best years of NBA basketball that they will ever see. And this is how he is thanked - by being called a quitter. Oh and the best part of this, Gilbert predicts the Cavs will win an NBA title before James does. See, Dan Gilbert is a moron.
What? That's not the biggest story you say. OK, back to reality. King James will be hanging with Will Smith in Miami. Was it me or did every radio station seem to play that song like 100 times last Thursday? Seems like everyone knew what was going to happen - apparently even before Lebron himself knew.
This would certainly include one Dan Gilbert. For those that do not know this man he is the current owner of the Cleveland Cavaliers- who recently became the worst team in the NBA Thursday night. Within moments of the official announcement Mr. Gilbert did something absolutely stupid. He writes a letter that basically attempts of bash the best player the franchise may ever see. If you haven't seen the letter go to the Cavaliers website and have a good laugh.
I see two things happening here:
1. Cleveland will never be able to land a free agent all-star. Who in their right mind would ever want to play for this man. James made Gilbert richer than he would have been without James. James put Cleveland on the basketball map. The only other time we historically think about Cleveland basketball - Michael Jordon's shot. Cleveland is done when it comes to basketball and the fans can thank Mr. Gilbert for that.
2. James will do something special next time he is in Cleveland. Here's the thing. Cleveland has no players, no skills and no way of stopping the newest three-headed-monster in the NBA. If I'm Bosh and Wade, I do what ever I can to make sure Lebron drops at least 60 the first time they are in Cleveland. Embarrass the heck out of Cleveland, the fans, and the organization.
James gave them the best years of NBA basketball that they will ever see. And this is how he is thanked - by being called a quitter. Oh and the best part of this, Gilbert predicts the Cavs will win an NBA title before James does. See, Dan Gilbert is a moron.
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