FSU should be ashamed…..for failing to show up to do battle, for failing to show the world it had the capacity to be in the College Football Playoff, for failing to evidence to the world its capacity to beat Georgia as decisively as Georgia beat them last night. The FSU players who opted out failed to handle the situation in a manly fashion. Instead, behaved like spoiled children.

Life is not easy. Many negatives are involved in life. When you get screwed, you hold your head high and do the best you can under the circumstances. Manliness is determined by how one handles adversity, not succumbs to it.

I was one of the many who thought FSU got screwed when Alabama was permitted to slip in ahead of them in the #4 spot. I continue to believe something bad, if not illegal, may have been involved. Perhaps money. Time will tell. The FSU players who opted out should have held their heads high and gone out and whipped Georgia’s ass. Instead FSU with its second and third stringers took a shocking beating from Georgia in losing 63-3.

As a prospective employer for any of them, I would think twice before hiring them. Whether in a corporate capacity or sports wise. I would want those who strand tall and fight, not pick up their football and walk away saying screw you I won’t play.

Again, life is not easy. Those who opted out have much to learn. They are not ready for life in life’s big leagues.

Syracuse just may have a good basketball team this season. They beat Pitt yesterday 81-73.

I watched the game at Jack Flats. Mark, one of the bartenders, had the screen set up with the game and my seat waiting for me. I thank him. Especially since I seem to be the only Syracuse fan showing up for Syracuse games.

Syracuse and Pitt played within 4 points of each other till 2 minutes remained in the first half. Then Pitt went on a run and Syracuse was left 8 points behind at half time. 

The second half began with Pitt making a 3 pointer. My stomach churned. Too soon, however. Syracuse went on a 17 point run and it was Syracuse’s game the rest of the way. Syracuse out scored Pitt 51-35 in the second half.

Syracuse’s defense was nothing less than outstanding. Caused 15 Pitt turnovers which resulted in 16 Syracuse points.

Syracuse’s 3 point shooting sucked in the first half. Made only 1 of 10 shots. A bit better in the second half, but nothing spectacular. Syracuse will have to improve in this regard.

Syracuse’s next game is tuesday at 9 against Duke. Has all the makings of being a close tough battle. One of Duke’s stars is its center at 7 foot. Syracuse’s is 7 feet 4 inches tall. I doubt the 4 inches will make much of a difference.

I met Kyle. He was sitting next to me watching the Penn State game. Most of the spectators yesterday were watching the Penn State game. Kyle played sports in college. Presently works at Sarabeth’s. Plays golf with Mark the bartender.

I published today’s podcast five years ago. Deals with Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address.

I am late with today’s blog. More hospital tests. I was scheduled for 8 am. Had to wait till 9 for an emergency case that came up. My test an ultra sound of my abdomen. All of it. Finished at 11. The technician Debbie. We had a nice long conversation as she performed the test. She spent a lot of time on my right kidney. I finally said the pain I am experiencing is in my left groin and above area. No one is looking at it. I had a CAT scan wednesday that was only of my lungs. So Debbie took it upon herself to do my left groin area and said she would put in an order for it.

I still have the pain. Only 3 weeks. However, severe when it hits. The next step is a meeting with Dr. Norris to get the results.

Recall yesterday’s 12 grapes tradition. I heard from a Sarasota blog reader whose family is from Calabria. Calabria is in the southwest section of Italy. The toe of Italy’s boot shaped peninsula. She says her family do the 12 grapes New Years Eve. Do not sit under a table when so doing, however. Another reader advised the grape eating was a Cuban tradition also. All new to me.

I will be spending the rest of the day at home. My New Years Eve will consist of watching the ball drop in Times Square. Assuming I am still awake. My days of raising hell on this holiday long gone.

The blog is short because of the hospital test. Now close to 2 in the afternoon.

Happy New Year my friends!