Happy Birthday!

Today is my birthday. I turned 28 this morning to the sweet smell of cinnamon rolls and coffee my wife had prepared before I departed for work. When I rolled my sorry tail outta bed I was met with a heartwarming "HAP-PY BIRTHDAAAAAY!" like something straight out of Frosty the Snowman a la Rankin-Bass.

It doesn't feel much different than 27, and I'm pretty sure I'm reaching that point where birthdays aren't what they used to be. I've got everything in the world I could ever need, and the only thing that I want is to spend time with my family once I'm off work.

Perhaps this is what birthdays are meant to be about after the thrill of turning 21 wears off. But don't get me wrong, I still like to get my blackout on just as much as the next guy. Now-a-days it just means my tolerance is so low that now I only require a few drinks to party. I would file that under "fiscal responsibility" but the beer I used to drink in college cost $10 for a 500 pack. Refined taste comes with a price tag.

All that aside, I'm looking forward to this evening with my wife and parents. I couldn't be luckier to have people who care this much about me and the occasional person who swings by my blog to read about it.

As a side note, since most of you know what a music fanatic I am, today is also Frank Zappa's birthday. He should be 70 today but instead he's stretched out in an unmarked grave in Los Angeles somewhere. Unfortunately prostate cancer research wasn't really what it is now back in the early 90's (so guys, get your poopers checked). The man was a musical genius and a warrior for the 1st Amendment. Take a minute to watch this interview of Frank on The Today Show that was done just before he passed away.

Interview with the Enemy: Nerd Edition

If you're on Twitter you may hear me go back and forth with a Tech fan by the name of @JeffBaltes. Jeff and I were in the same fraternity in college and keep in touch only through the occasional attempt to piss each other off in less than 140 characters. Jeff is a contributing blogger to The Jolly Good Fellows which covers all things Tech. Baltes was kind enough to sit down with me and do a quick 10 question interview concerning this years edition of Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate.

#1. I will start off by asking for a few pointers on how to survive a sh*tty season, you guys have had 7 seasons with at least 5 losses since 2001 (01-07). Which helps more? Drinking, or optimism that it can’t get worse than this?

You know it could get worse, we could have been Duke through all those seasons. But I think after every UGA loss, we held our hope that Chan Gailey would get fired. It only took five losses in a row to finally unload him. I miss him and Reggie.

I actually think Chan lost to Georgia 6 times in a row...but moving on.

#2. Many Tech fans may not know this but it’s been a secret among the Bulldawg Nation that our defense has been purposefully sucking all year in an effort to lure Georgia Tech into a false sense of security for the Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate game. How do you think Tech’s offense will react once we unveil our master plan?

I feel pretty good that Tech’s offense will be ready for the master plan of Willie Martinez. I expect some late hits and other penalties along with missed tackles. I just hope Rennie Curran is not in on the play.

#3. Many Tech fans may not know this but it’s been a secret among the Bulldawg Nation that our offense has been purposefully sucking all year in an effort to lure Georgia Tech into a false sense of security for the Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate game. How do you think Tech’s defense will react once we unveil our master plan?

Our defense is mediocre at best but we will be just fine against UGA’s offense, especially if AJ Green does not play.

#4. Many Tech fans may not know this but it’s been a secret among the Bulldawg Nation that our Special Teams coverage and return game has been purposefully sucking all year in an effort to lure Georgia Tech into a false sense of security for the Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate game. How do you think Tech’s Special Teams coverage and return game will react once we unveil our master plan?

Have you seen our special teams? They are just that, “special” There might be 2-3 kickoffs returned for TD’s in this game.

#5. What is more embarrassing for Tech fans? Having Zombie Nation’s “Kernkraft 400” play over your stadium’s sound system or the Georgia Tech interstate sign on the connector that still uses colored light bulbs?

UGA used to play “Who Let the Dogs Out” thus nullifying any embarrassment that might come from the GT fan base.

If I can follow up the fact that we played “Who let the dogs out” for one season, as opposed to ya’ll playing Kernkraft 400 for several years and the lightbulb sign is old as balls…you technically didn’t answer the question.

They play Kernkraft when they are showing a history of GT football and I like that. So I guess the sign is more embarrasing.

#6. Why will Tech win, Saturday?

We will score more points and Paul Johnson won’t let us lose. You know he is better than Chuck Norris, don’t you?

#7. Why will Tech lose, Saturday?

Because our defense goes to sleep and our special teams do not cover kickoffs. If AJ Green plays, he might score 4 TDs.

#8. Why does Paul Johnson’s face look like Kate Gosslin’s (pretummy tucked) belly?

He fell out of the ugly tree and landed on a rock.

#9. How much are you loving that the only thing I can do for my team’s sake is make smartass comments about non-football issues?

It is fun, because we have dealt with this the entire decade. Paul Johnson knows what he is doing.

#10. I was in attendance of the Kentucky game last week where the wheels came off for my Dawgs. I’ve pretty much given up hope of beating Tech this year because you guys have a solid team and Joe Cox might be the single most inconsistent QB in Div I-A history. Many Dawg fans are looking forward to next year and banking on our recruits panning out, how does the future look for Georgia Tech football?

The future is very bright for GT fans as we have a stable of running backs in waiting, the only concern is getting our defensive line where it needs to be. We will lose Derrick Morgan this year and that will hurt, so I hope they can develop some d-linemen to get our defense back where it needs to be!

Bonus Question: Complete this sentence: “Joe Cox _________ Reggie Ball”

Joe Cox is still better than Reggie Ball.

Thanks for being a good sport, Baltes. I wish you and your team the worst of luck Saturday and I hope you completely implode...aside from that, I appreciate you entertaining me.

GO DAWGS!