Steelers Renegade

Steel City Pizzeria

Tonight we decided to check out "Steel City Pizzeria" in Spring, Tx. It's about a 45 minute drive to Spring (just south of The Woodlands). We were already heading over to Target about a 1/4 of the way, so we said, "What the heck." The Steelers are all set for the Super Bowl tomorrow, so we wanted to get some good karma going.

The place was great. Black and Gold everywhere. Lots of flat screens with the Penguins game on and lots of Super Bowl coverage. As we looked around the place, it was pretty obvious that there were a lot of displaced Pittsburghers in there. They had that hardened Western Pa look. Norma said, "I feel like we are in Pittsburgh."

The food was excellent. We got a large Deluxe Pizza (it said, "Look Out Loretta!" under the title in the menu - a nod to Pens announcer Mike Lange.) The pizza was loaded with tons of toppings. Aidan ate a few of the cheesey bread sticks and then a couple of pieces of pizza, too. He was real hungry.

The best part for me was all of the memorabilia throughout the place. The posters, signs (the best were the "You are in Steelers Country" ones just like the ones I grew up seeing at Three Rivers Stadium.), and hats that lined the walls. I had to ask the waitress at the end of the meal how long this place had been open. She said this was their second year. I was relieved because I used to work like 5 miles away from the place five years ago in The Woodlands. I don't think I would have been able to live with myself if she would have said, "Oh we have been here for like 10 years." :)

They were erecting a huge tent in the parking lot for the Super Bowl tomorrow. I'm sure it'll be packed with people. There is no doubt that we'll go back again sometime for a baked hoagie and some pop. (Only people from Pittsburgh would understand that's a heated sub and soda) Now we just have to hope a little bit of good karma rubbed off and it helps the Steelers beat the Cardinals tomorrow. :)

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime® 6.5 or higher is required.

Teaching (Steelers) History

All week long I have been giving my kids 5 minutes of "Steelers History" in World History class. Tomorrow I'm going to kick it up a notch with a few video clips about these very important topics:

The Terrible Towel, from the perspective of Steelers Fans:


Food - Primanti Bros. Sandwiches:


I've also given them the lowdown on why the Steelers are the only NFL team with only one logo on their helmets. 1956 the logo was introduced and they wanted to "try it out" to see how it went over with the fans. So they used it on one side only. They went 9-5 and made the playoffs. It's stayed ever since. (Although the helmets changed colors to primary black)

You have to educate the youth! :) I'm just doing my job. Otherwise I'd be negligent in my duties as a history teacher.

Economy Got You Down... watch this

Great depression II? How can it be with crap like this to cheer us up?

Coke Polamalu

This is going to be great!



For those of you too young to remember the original...


Mean Joe is the man!

San Antonio AVID Trainer of Trainers

I went to the "Trainer of Trainers" sessions in San Antonio this weekend. I was recovering from the flu, so the whole experience has left me pretty drained. But, it was a wonderful training. There were folks there from all over Texas and parts of Washington state, Kansas, Colorado and California. It is quite energizing to be in a room full of some of the best history teachers in America.

Walking away I can now train teachers in my district on AVID techniques and classroom strategies. I'm now "certified." So on April 8th and 9th, me and two other colleagues will be training a room full of social studies teachers in our district. Should be fun.

I missed three days of work last week due to my illness and the training, so I am looking forward to getting back to work tomorrow and seeing my kids. :)

Here We Go Steelers - 2009

Goodbye. Hello. Thank goodness!

Goodbye George. I can't believe I'm saying this... I am SOOOO GLAD you are coming back to Texas. :)


44.
The Man.
I'm so glad to see you.

I loved the speech. It paid tribute to those that came before, to our nation's history and values. Yet it set a path forward in a very serious and solemn way.

Yet, every so often the oath is taken amidst gathering clouds and raging storms. At these moments, America has carried on not simply because of the skill or vision of those in high office, but because we the people have remained faithful to the ideals of our forebears, and true to our founding documents.

So it has been. So it must be with this generation of Americans.

As I watched today in Norma's classroom at lunch, we both just sat silently, tears in our eyes. It was hard to believe what we were watching. We knew this day was coming, but the excitement was so incredible.

The speech was firm, but optimistic.

Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, America — they will be met.

Much of this speech was a repudiation of Bush's 8 years in office. Announcing firmly that the problems of the past 8 years are going to be solved. He pinpointed the areas and shined a light on what needs to be done. I particularly enjoyed his comments regarding education and science.

For everywhere we look, there is work to be done. The state of the economy calls for action, bold and swift, and we will act — not only to create new jobs, but to lay a new foundation for growth. We will build the roads and bridges, the electric grids and digital lines that feed our commerce and bind us together. We will restore science to its rightful place, and wield technology’s wonders to raise health care’s quality and lower its cost. We will harness the sun and the winds and the soil to fuel our cars and run our factories. And we will transform our schools and colleges and universities to meet the demands of a new age. All this we can do. And all this we will do.

I love it. We "will restore science to it's rightful place." What must have W been thinking?

The speech was really strong. It warned critics that they don't understand that the "ground has shifted beneath their feet" and that if you question the bold plans you have a short memory of the accomplishments of this nation. The speech also spoke directly to our enemies. To terrorists: "we say to you now that our spirit is stronger and cannot be broken; you cannot outlast us, and we will defeat you." Very strong. Maybe the strongest line of the speech.

With hope and virtue, let us brave once more the icy currents, and endure what storms may come. Let it be said by our children’s children that when we were tested we refused to let this journey end, that we did not turn back nor did we falter; and with eyes fixed on the horizon and God’s grace upon us, we carried forth that great gift of freedom and delivered it safely to future generations.

Equal parts poetry and strength. Perfect for our time. Perfect for our needs. A good day today. A new path is forged ahead.

little shopper.

This message was sent using the Picture and Video Messaging service from Verizon Wireless!

To learn how you can snap pictures and capture videos with your wireless phone visit www.verizonwireless.com/picture.

Note: To play video messages sent to email, QuickTime� 6.5 or higher is required.

Obama-Aidan

P-O-L-A-M-A-L-U

The Steelers are going to the Super Bowl!
Defense is the reason. Wow, what a job today. #43.

My team is the Texans - 1a. The Steelers are 1b. So I always root for my hometown Pittsburgh roots (unless they are playing Houston - my current and permanent hometown). I just hope the Texans were paying close attention today. Each team in the conference finals had a pro bowl safety. Polamalu - Steelers. Wilson - Cards. Reed - Ravens. Dawkins - Eagles. The Texans need a big time safety in the draft. It makes a huge difference. It was the difference for the Steelers today.

When the third quarter started getting tight and the Steelers lost their momentum, I turned to Norma and said, "The team that scores a defensive touchdown is going to win." Troy took care of business.

It did have a bitter sweet end after that massive hit on McGahee. Let's hope Willis is ok. That was an incredible hit. It was an incredibly tough and physical game.

I played this video for Norma and Aidan before the game. It pretty much says it all for this game...

Careful. It'll get stuck in your head.