Antmeister
07-18-2007, 10:41 AM
Getting To Know Me
Where did you get the name Swaggs?
My last name is Swager, so it is just a shortened version of that. I picked it up in Jr. High.
How did you meet your wife?
I first met my wife when we were sophomores in High School and got to know her fairly well when we were seniors and had a couple of classes together.
When I was a sophomore at WVU, a friend set me up on a blind date with a girl that she knew. The girl ended up living in the same suite as my wife, so we arranged to all go out on a group date with one of my best friends. The blind date didn't work out, but we all started hanging out and going out to bars/football games together and my wife and I fell for each other very quickly. My friend, that went along on the blind date with us, ended up marrying another one of the suitemates, as well.
What's it like being married to a smokin' hot doctor?
For those that don't know, my wife is on the EaglesFan27 career path--she is in her final year of a Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship. It has been a long road for her and I am really proud of her and glad to be married to her. She is the best person that I know.
Do you ever get tired of jokes that involve West Virginians and their family members?
Not so much, really. It occasionally gets old on messageboards and such, but we get those jokes so often that it doesn't get too much of a rise out of me anymore.
What is the craziest thing you've ever done?
As far as a single event, nothing really jumps to mind here. I've done some stupid things while driving that I regret, but nothing that got me in trouble.
The craziest thing I have ever done, long-term, was become a car salesman. I've never been around so many folks that openly did drugs, ran around on their wives/girlfriends, and, generally, reveled in money as much as my time there. It was a wild experience, but I made a couple of good friends and learned a lot about negotiating and sales there, so it wasn't a total loss, but I would choose to spend my time differently if I had to do that year over again.
What do you think is your best quality? Your worst?
I'd say my best is that I am very loyal to the people that I care about.
My worst... I can think of quite a few. The very worst is probably that I have a really tough time motivating myself to begin things and tend to put things off because I am afriad that I won't get good results when I finish. Basically, I tend to rather not do things if I think there is a chance of failing or not doing very well.
What are three statements, that, when put together, paint for us a good picture of who you are?
Tough question.
1.) The most important thing in my life is family.
2.) I would like for my life to leave a positive, lasting impression.
3.) There are a lot more things that I would like to achieve in my life.
What do you do for a living?
I am a trainer for a private company. I work with students (so far, the age range has been 7-21 years old), to improve the skills that they need to learn better. Students sign up for about half a year and I meet with them 3-5 times a week and we do procedures that help them strengthen areas that they are weak in, like attention, processing speed, memory, etc. At the end of our sessions, the students often show a developmental gain of 3+ years. (If anyone has any further questions on the specifics, send me a PM).
What do you like best about working in education?
I like knowing that, even though they are working very hard during their time with me, down the road I am hopefully helping them develop the skills that they need to do their homework much faster (saving them time), pay attention better in their classes, and hopefully giving them an opportunity to achieve better success long-term. I feel like I am fighting the good fight (unlike some of my past jobs).
How do you deal with students who are nothing but trouble?
I haven't really had any students that were purposely defiant. The most frustrating thing for me is that I see a lot of students with attention disorders, so they zone out fairly often. I try to stay positive with them and keep things upbeat and intense to minimize that, but it still gets me frustrated from time to time.
How long have you been a teacher and do you remember any students from your first year of teaching?
I'm not a teacher right now, but I am going to begin classes in August so that I can get a degree that will enable me to become one. I have been doing one on one work with children for about 3-years and at my current company for a little over a year.
Give us your proudest moment as a teacher.
The happiest time for me is when I hear back from parents who are pleased with the progress. Children don't always understand why they are working with me or what we are hoping to accomplish because they are so close to the situation. But, when I hear from parents that tell me that their kids don't take hours to do their homework anymore or that they are more proactive in doing things, that makes me very happy.
Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
My goals right now are fairly clear in my mind. I'd like to finish up and get this second degree I am working on within the next two years. My wife and I would like to move back to Morgantown after that (she'll be done with her fellowship in about a year). We'd like to have kids within the next three years. I'd like to teach for a few years and then open a private, educational daycare.
Do you have any pets?
I have a two-year old Chihuahua named Isabel.
My wife was very hesitant to get a dog, as she'd never had any pets growing up, but I told her (jokingly, but she apparently took it seriously) that I wouldn't marry her if she wouldn't let me have a dog, so she agreed to get one after we had been married for a few years. We decided to get a small dog, because we have a pretty small house and we travel, by car, fairly frequently.
Anyway, my wife fell in love with the dog, at first sight, and loves her to death now.
Any quirky habits?
Nothing really comes to mind. I'd say the strangest thing is that I only use a certain brand and type of pens and pencils. I feel pretty uncomfortable not using them to work, because I have pretty crappy handwriting and these pens and pencils have thinner tips and make me feel like my work is a little more presentable.
What is the biggest struggle you went through in your life?
I have had an ongoing struggle finding a job that I enjoy. I had worked as a claims adjuster for an insurance company and as a salesmen at a car dealership before getting into education. Those two jobs were tough for me, because there was a lot of confrontation, dealing with money, in both. I never got comfortable dealing with large sums of money with people that I had just met.
Things have been a little better since I got into education and I really enjoy my current job (and the intangibles involved with it), but I still don't feel super secure about the future (or really the past) of my work career. I guess I always pictured myself as the type of person that would have a long-term job for most of my career and I have bounced around quite a bit since graduating from college in '99. It is probably the only area, in my life, that I am not satisfied with.
Have you ever traveled out of the US?
My dad has owned his own contracting business since well before I was born and Summers were always his busiest time of year. So, between my father's work and playing baseball, we didn't go on many family vacations when I was a kid. The only time we went out of the country was on a trip to Niagra Falls in 1984.
Since I have been married, my wife and I have gone on two Carribean cruises, so I have had the opportunity to visit Puerto Rico, Aruba, Dominica, Barbados, St. Thomas, and the Bahamas. I've never really done any non-"touristy" travelling, like backpacking in Europe or going to nontraditional spots. I would like to visit Egypt before I die.
If you could have dinner with 3 people living or dead who would they be? Why? What would you ask them?
This was one of the questions that I had to really think about. I tried to come up with historical figures, celebrities, etc. Then I thought it would be cool to have dinner with all my grandparents, but I'd have to leave one out, which would be kind of painful.
So, I came up with an idea that would mean a lot to someone else, as well as me. So, a little backstory:
My dad's father, my grandfather, died in a coal mine collapse in 1950, when my father was three-years old. My dad never really got to know his father and my grandmother lived as a widow for nearly 50-years. The family lived on, in relative poverty, and my dad worked his way through college and started his company in the early 70s and has always been both a great father and provider for my brother and me.
So, I think I would choose my father (who is still living), my grandmother and my grandfather, so that they could all spend some time together and get an opportunity that they really all missed out on.
What are your 3 biggest fears?
I'm not terribly afraid of flying, but seeing low flying planes (which I do almost everyday on my way to work) always sends a chill up my spine.
My other two fears are a little more deep. I didn't really feel rattled when I turned 30 (this past March), but both my wife and I fear that we won't be able to have children or that we are beginning to get too old. Not really an active fear, but it has gotten on our radars recently.
And then, obviously, I have a pretty big fear of loved ones dying. I cannot imagine anything worse than my wife dying before we've had a chance to live a lot more of our lives together. I also have the fear that a loved one will die or get sick and, since we have moved so far away from most of our family, we won't be there for them.
What are your 3 biggest dislikes? (awkward sentence)
Oh man... I could spend a ton of time on this one.
Definitely, I hate bad drivers. Drivers that shift lanes without signaling, cut in front of me, drive too close behind me, don't turn on their lights when it rains, etc.
Cell phones, even though I couldn't live without one at this point, are a pretty big dislike for me. I think they are great for parents, work, etc., but being accessible 100% of the time is kind of an annoyance and I get particularly annoyed when folks have loud conversations in restaurants or keep them on during meetings or classes. I think the current generation of teens are going to grow up with the ingrained concept that it is always alright to be on the telephone and accessible to speak. I cannot envision that being a good thing for productivity.
Another thing that really got under my skin was all of the feigned patriotism after 9/11. Particularly, all the merchandise and country music songs that just blatently took advantage of the situation to sell things. I think the Darryl Worley song, "Have You Forgotten," is a perfect example of this.
Are you an atheist, an agnostic, or do you subscribe to a formal religion?
I am Catholic. I believe in God and try to live well.
That said, I don't fall lockstep in-line with 100% of the church's politics. I also feel fairly disgruntled with the way I see religions as a businesses, so I am pretty picky in regards to selecting a church. The last one I belonged to wanted each member to donate $13,000 each so that we could build a nice, new church--which is good in theory, but even if we pinch and eat mac and cheese often, $13,000 isn't real easy for us (and I presume most) to come up with.
Were you a geek in high school?
I would say no. I never had a computer until I was in college, had pretty good grades, had a girlfriend about 90% of the time, was in quite a few organizations and clubs, and played sports. I had a pretty good time in high school.
Do you still have a crew-cut? If not, what style do you wear? Do you use gel or mousse?
I don't really have a crew cut. I just clip my hair really, really short in the Summer because it is insanely hot down here. I occassionally use gel when my hair grows out longer, but I doubt you would notice.
What is your greatest memory?
Probably pretty cliche, but I would say my wedding day. Beyond how meaningful it was for my wife and I, I definitely dug having a party with all of my friends and my family. As I get older and get to see friends and family less often, I appreciate it that much more.
Who has been your greatest inspiration?
I would say my parents. Neither of them really grew up in perfect environments, but they did a great job raising my brother and me. We didn't always have a ton of money growing up and I can even remember feeling a little jealous of some of the other kids whose parents had more prestigious jobs, but we were very fortunate to never go to bed hungry or not have clothes that fit. And, they always wanted to be involved in our lives, volunteering at school or to coach sports. I hope my wife and I can provide as good of a situation when we have children.
Online Leagues
Do you miss the JBL at all?
I do. JBL was a fun, close-knit league because it was so small and most of the owners were in it for so long. The live sims were awesome, too.
Do you still enjoy being in the RWBL, or is it more of a sentimental/tradition thing at this point?
Probably a little bit of both. I like the accumulated history a lot. The league is so old that we basically have two full generations of players that have come and gone and I think that is very cool to look back over. I also think that 6.5 is the best at player generation and stat generation, so far. But, at one point, probably 75-80% of the owners were very serious/competitive in the league, with like 20% just kind of filling space and going through the motions. I think the ratio is a bit worse now, unfortunately. There is still a real good core of owners left, though.
When will you finally win the RWBL Title?
Maybe this year, but probably not. I thought I put together a pretty good team this year, but we are halfway through the season and half of my pitching staff still have ridiculously high ERAs.
How does it feel to have single handedly ended the (RWBL) Yankee Dynasty?
It sucks. I think we have played like 28 seasons and I have managed to lose the World Series five times. And, I haven't even made it to the World Series in like 15 seasons. It sucks.
In real life you're a Pirates fan, yet in the RWBL you run the Yankees. Is that the equivalent of the powerful CEO who sneaks off at night to be humiliated by a domintratix, only the exact opposite?
And... as much as it sucks to be a terrible OOTP owner, it pales in comparison to being a real life Pirates fan.
Have you been in other leagues other then the RWBL?
I have been in a ton of OOTP leagues over the years. Probably close to ten. JBL and RWBL are the only two that I have been in for more than 2-3 seasons, though. Most leagues fail within the first season or two, so four or five went out like that. A handful of them just didn't grab my interest, so I quit. One or two fell apart before we started playing games.
I was in two Diamond-Mind leagues for several real years back before I found OOTP and they were fun. I have found it strange that the real active guys that were in those leagues haven't seemed to show up on the OOTP boards or in the leagues.
I'm also in radii's FOFC FBCB league and have been for several real years.
I was in HA's FOF league for awhile, but I couldn't get into it because FOF just seemed like too much for me at the time. I'm a quick simmer in FOF and the pace of an online league just bored me.
Who is your favorite player all time in the RWBL?
My favorite star was Adrian Gonzalez. I remember working on that deal with Schmidty and I felt like I paid out the ass, at the time. I had gone into a mini-rebuild mode and had acquired/drafted three really good prospects: a power hitting corner IF (Ricky Capra), an power hitting OF (Dallas Nash), and a stud closer (Ray Arbour). He got all three off me, and Capra and Nash did end up having very good careers and Schmidty won, I think two WS, with Capra and some of the guys he got for Nash. But, Gonzalez was an awesome player and got well over 3,000 hits and had a ton of gold gloves, so it was probably worth it.
I'm also fond of some of the role players that were Yankees for a long time, like Richard Constant (who killed JR House of Toronto's career in a Pete Rose/Ray Fosse like play at the plate) and Charles Romeo.
What other games do you play other then OOTP (RWBL)?
I haven't really played a whole lot of other games in the past few years. I sample out text sims and am happy to buy them to support the developers, but they generally end up on the shelf after a month, at best. FBCB is one that I keep going back to, and I suspect I will play Bowl Bound again once the season gets closer.
I have a PS2, but I think the last game I got was NFL Street '05. My attention span for games is just not what it used to be.
I know I was the one that made you take it down, but I miss WVUgirl. That's not a question, just a comment.
Here you go, buddy:
http://rwbl.net/images/wvugirl.jpg
What better, OOTP or FBCB?
I'll say that I have gotten more enjoyment out of the OOTP series, over the years, than any other game I have ever owned. The multiplayer facet makes it great.
That said, the simple, yet complex setup of FBCB makes it a much better "game" for me. There are so many different ways to approach your program, from how to allocate your budget (do you pick great coaches or give yourself more money to recruit with so that you can get great players?) to setting up different offensive and defensive systems. It is game that you feel like you can win in different manners and there are long- and short-term goals (increasing your prestige, taking a poor program to a post season tourney, winning a title, getting top recruiting classes, moving on to better opportunities, etc.). Just a great game that always gives me that, "just one more stage" feel.
Thoughts on the Tennessee Dynasty in FBCB?
Their success is on the verge of becoming UCLA-like. Their pressure defense is just insane and they never seem to have let down games. I'm glad I'm not in the SEC.
You've been successful in our FBCB League keeping West Virginia near the top of the Big East, but haven't been able to surpass Syracuse and Notre Dame yet and haven't made a Final Four yet. Is there anything you wish you'd done different with them or that you're working to do to get WVU up there with Tennessee/Notre Dame/Syracuse/Oregon and the likes on the national scene?
I think I've had as good of success as can be expected. The team has improved by like 35 prestige points in 11 years, we have the best facilities in the nation, have been to four S16s and two E8s in the past six seasons, so we are making good progress and getting up to the big boy range. We've had some bad luck with long term injuries to some of our better players, but I think we're legitimate a Final Four threat now.
I think the next and, hopefully, final step will be having some sustained success and keeping my prestige up in the 85-95 range, so that I can afford top notch assistants. I have traditionally spent more of my resources on recruiting, but I am going to begin bringing in better coaches to develop the talent now that my budget has gotten higher.
Sports/Favorite Teams
What was the most exciting sporting event you ever attended?
Not super meaningful in the grand scheme of things, but it would be the WVU game @ Pitt in 2002. It was a snowy Saturday, about a month before my wedding, and my wife was having some sort of shower for it, so my buddies rented a van and we drove up to Pittsburgh.
Tailgating atmosphere was weak, but we managed to have some drinks in the van before taking the Clipper over to the stadium. We ran into another WVU fan, right in front of the front gate, and he was carrying around a nearly full 30-pack of beer on his shoulder, just a few minutes before kickoff. I told him that there was no way he was going to be able to drink all of that before kickoff, so he gave us some beers and right after we opened them, a cop came over and said, "Those are $500 beers you boys are drinking. You probably oughta get rid of them." :)
Anyway, WVU was coming off a terrible 3-8 season, but we had turned it around in '02. The game was for 2nd place in the conference--whoever won it would be the #2 (Miami won the BE almost every year) and get the better bowl bid. It was tight all the way and I was super hammered, but I remember in the fourth quarter this huge wave of snow came blowing in like a sheet. We ended up holding them on their last drive and pulled out the W. We've been rolling ever since.
What's the best sporting moment of your life? What's the worst?
Best is definitely winning the city Little League Championship when I was ten. Remarkably close game. My team, Pro Nissan, beat Peerless Laundries, 4-3. I was playing second base and caught a forceout at 2B for the final out. It was awesome.
Worst was in the 1992 NLCS, when the Braves came from behind to beat the Pirates in Game 7. The Pirates had been to the NLCS for three straight years, but everyone pretty well knew that '92 was their last chance because they weren't going to be able to resign Barry Bonds or Doug Drabek. Jose Lind, who was an amazing defensive player, made an error that inning to start things off. We got within one out of closing them out, but a reserve catcher named Francisco Cabrera (who had a career average of .254 and was last seen as a cab driver) drove in super slow, former-Pirate Sid Bream, with a throw from Bonds just missing him at the plate.
I had followed the team my entire life. The won the World Series in 1979, but I had no memory of it because I was 2, and they had been pretty terrible until Jim Leyland got there. And then, with that loss, it was all over. We haven't had a winning season since.
Is this year West Virginia's best chance at winning the National Title?
I think this season and next season will be our best opportunities. We've been really fortunate to have two amazing offensive players in Patrick White and Steve Slaton. Slaton is amazing, but I suspect he'll turn pro after this season if he stays healthy. I think White has an amazing ability to will our team to wins, so I'll feel good about our chances as long as he is around. Our toughest game should be against Louisville, and we have them at home this year, so I think we have a chance to go undefeated this season. Hopefully, two other BCS teams don't end up undefeated if we do.
What are three teams that you absolutely hate?
These are all college football teams:
Virginia Tech, Pitt, and Notre Dame.
If I had to pick NFL teams:
Baltimore, Cincy, New England.
If you were running the real life Pirates, what would you do to improve them?
I probably wouldn't take the job unless there was different ownership. The Pirates biggest problem is that their owners are doing this for year-to-year profit, whereas most other teams are owned by super wealthy men/organizations that see the team as a long-term investment. The value of the Pirates has increased almost $200M over the past 15-years, largely due to the new stadium, but the Pirates owners need to make a $25-$40M year-to-year profit.
Anyway, if I were to take over the team, the biggest changes I would make would be to quit overpaying for guys that are easily replaceable, like Jack Wilson. It is okay for small market teams to overpay for star players/difference makers, but spending 5-10% of their payroll on Wilson is a joke. I would focus on drafting college players in the draft and pay to get them signed. And, I would invest in baseball academies in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela. The NL Central doesn't really have any juggernaut franchises (although Chicago could become one if they start making smart decisions), so it should not be unreasonable to expect to cyclically compete for the division ever 3-4 years.
If you could have attended any sporting event live, what would it have been?
The Immaculate Reception game.
Big Ben or Terry Bradshaw?
I don't remember Bradshaw playing, so I'll go with Big Ben.
Favorite Steeler?
Hines Ward. I would probably hate him if he didn't play on my team, but I love the way he plays.
Chuck Noll or Bill Cowher?
I'll take Chuck Noll. I'm a Cowher fan, but after seeing us win a Super Bowl with an above average QB (Big Ben), it makes me really pissed off that we spent so many years screwing around with guys like Kordell, Tomczak, Kent Graham, and Tommy Maddox. I think Cowher had a big ego and thought that he could make those guys good enough to give our great defenses and running game a chance to win the Super Bowl, when they clearly just didn't have "it." With all the blown 2nd round picks he had over the years, you'd think he could have rolled the dice on a day 1 QB once or twice.
Noll was a good manager, which is what is most important for a head coach. He knew how to find and retain good coordinators and coaches, how to soothe egos, and was able to identify (and if necessary fight with the FO to draft) great players. He hung on a few years too long and didn't adapt well to the FA era, but he was a great head coach.
Have you ever thrown a temper tantrum after you favorite team lost a game?
If I have done more than throw a pillow or remote control, I cannot remember it. I did break down and cry when the Pirates traded my favorite player: Bill Madlock.
Blue Devil or Tar Heel?
Definitely not Blue Devil. I like the Tar Heels pretty well, but since the BE raid, I'm not real partial to any other ACC teams. I'll generally root for UNC, but if they play any BE teams (other than Pitt), I'd root for the BE teams.
What would it take for you to completely disavow West Virginia and become a full-fledged Tar Heel fan?
If WVU became a satellite branch of Pitt or Virginia Tech, I'd consider it.
Super Bowl or National Championship?
Easily a National Championship. It would mean so much for the state and school. I cannot even describe how it would make me feel for WVU to win a title. We came pretty close in '89 (played ND in the Fiesta for the title) and I didn't really appreciate it.
Werewolf
Wolf or villager?
It is fun to be a wolf, but I prefer to be a villager for the most part. I like laying low for a few days, surviving, and trying to observe, before trying to prosecute and trip up the wolves down the stretch.
Or more specifically, right now, are you a wolf or a villager?
Nice try. I'm a human... are you?
What is your favorite thing about WW? Least favorite?
It is kind of like a super developed game of chess. I think most of us feel like we are pretty smart and observant, but playing WW can humble you in a hurry. I like the mental challenge of it.
I also like that it has given me a chance to get to know some other FOFCers. Between online leagues and WW, I've gotten to know some good folks.
What has been your favorite WW game and why?
I always like Alan T's games and the Tombstone was awesome. It is one that I would definitely like to play again.
But, my favorite was Foz's X-Com game. Digamma had a role that allowed him to communicate one person's dreams to another player in their dreams and we managed to form a CoT and he was able to feed me info about the bad guys for a few days without outing himself, so I got to be the voice of the seer without putting myself in danger. And then, my power was to "duke" via a computer program, so I made a last minute switch from a good guy over to (I believe) Neon Chaos, who was bad.
Random
Do you bite your nails?
I did for a really long time, up until a few years ago. I started clipping them fairly short and that prevented me from getting uneven nails and that pretty much ended it.
What movie can you watch over and over?
LA Confidential is my favorite movie and the one that I'd pick as my top choice. Other favorites; Rob Roy, High Fidelity, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Old School and Tombstone.
Have you ever seen a ghost?
I love ghost stories and movies, but I don't believe in ghosts.
Ever had a lap dance?
Yeah... I've had a few. I've been to quite a few bachelor parties in the past five years, but, sadly, most of my friends are married at this point. I'm still holding out that my brother-in-law will get married sometime soon.
What do you like best about Durham?
After living in Mid-Atlantic states (WV, OH, PA), I would definitely have to say the weather. It is insanely humid, with horrible mosquitos, for about 2.5 months a year, but there is only like 3-4 weeks of Winter in late Jan./early Feb., and the rest of the year the weather is excellent.
Why couches? What the hell did a couch do to you?
Because Pitt fans, despite how oily they appear, do not burn well.
What is the story about getting shot in the stomach?
This question comes from a werewolf game, where we had to give two true statements and one false statement, and I thought this would be a good one to throw people off, although it isn't as dramatic as it may sound.
I had a beebee gun when I lived at home (it is presumably still there at my parents' house, I guess). One day, when I was in high school, I had been playing basketball with 3-4 friends and we came over to hang out in my basement afterwards.
I think two of the kids were playing Nintendo or something, I was talking on the phone, and two of the other kids were messing around with each other and one of them found the beebee gun. So, one of the guys mooned the kid that had the beebee gun and the kid shot him in the ass, which was exceptionally funny (particularly when he went home and had to have his older brother remove the beebee, because he didn't want to tell his parents what had happened).
The guy that got shot in the butt beat up the kid that shot him, got the gun and kept it aimed at him, and wouldn't let him back in the house (so he went home). So, I was still on the phone, relaying what had happened and the kid comes over to me, without thinking (and apparently not realizing that he had reloaded it--the beebees were stored in the gun) and shot me in the stomach, point blank. It bled like crazy, but it didn't actually stick in my stomach and I was afraid to tell my parents, so I never went to the doctor. I still have a scar on my stomach.
What would you do if your son/daughter came home and told you they wanted to go to the University of Pittsburgh?
Tell them that mommy and daddy are going on a ridiculously expensive vacation courtesy of your college savings fund. I cannot envision a scenario that ever involves me writing a check to Pitt.
You can go out drinking with 5 people from FOFC, who are they and why?
Let me go with six:
Brian (bsak16) -- so I wouldn't be the most embarrassing drunk there.
Schmidty -- he'd just have to be there. Hopefully he wouldn't pass out too early.
Ron (vtbub) -- we'd need someone to act remotely like an adult while there. Plus, I would want to get Brian to think that Ron is mad at him..
Neuqua -- he'd be the one that we'd trick into getting super drunk and then dare him to do things that he'd regret in the morning. Ross (INDalltheway) would be a good choice here, too, but I think he is probably still underage.
Sean (MapleLeafs) -- he's funny while I am sober, so he'd probably be even funnier afterwards. Plus, when Brian starts talking about the NHL, they could sit next to each other so I don't have to nod along and act like I know what he is talking about.
Dangarion -- he seems like he'd be quiet for awhile, but after a few drinks he might do something crazy, which is always good on a night out. Plus, I think he would be willing to carry a drunk Brian or Schmidty out, if necessary.
Then, I would probably get someone that I perceive as responsible, like radii or stevew, to pick us up and take us to get some food.
How does it feel being one of two people I (Alan T) added to my FOFC buddy list years ago before deciding it was annoying and never using it again?
It makes me wonder who I am competing with to be your #1 buddy. I bet is is Celeval.
Is the US the greatest country in the world? Why or why not?
I would say that it still is the greatest country in the world. Despite how we are portrayed in the media (and how that is magnified by the media coverage of Hollywood), I think Americans are very giving and charitable.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I'd like to go back to Morgantown, WV. I've lived in PA, OH, and now NC and enjoyed everywhere I have been, but it would be nice to be around our families again. Plus, it seems like we spend most of our vacations and weekends that we feel like travelling going back to visit family, so it would be nice to not have to make that 7-hour drive, just to go back home.
Breasts - huge, big, slightly large, b-cup, or Kate Moss?
It depends on my mood, but if forced to choose and using your scale, I would go with big.
Inny or outty?
Inny.
What ingredients does the world's best omelet have?
Well, I recently found out that I have high cholesterol and started taking medicine for it. But, if I must, I'd probably go with ham, American cheese, and mushrooms. Nothing too fancy, but it sounds pretty good at the moment.
Favorite YouTube clip.
I like checking out music videos and sports highlights on youtube, but nothing beats this:
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Do you know the muffin man?
This sounds like a good one to end with.
Where did you get the name Swaggs?
My last name is Swager, so it is just a shortened version of that. I picked it up in Jr. High.
How did you meet your wife?
I first met my wife when we were sophomores in High School and got to know her fairly well when we were seniors and had a couple of classes together.
When I was a sophomore at WVU, a friend set me up on a blind date with a girl that she knew. The girl ended up living in the same suite as my wife, so we arranged to all go out on a group date with one of my best friends. The blind date didn't work out, but we all started hanging out and going out to bars/football games together and my wife and I fell for each other very quickly. My friend, that went along on the blind date with us, ended up marrying another one of the suitemates, as well.
What's it like being married to a smokin' hot doctor?
For those that don't know, my wife is on the EaglesFan27 career path--she is in her final year of a Child & Adolescent Psychiatry Fellowship. It has been a long road for her and I am really proud of her and glad to be married to her. She is the best person that I know.
Do you ever get tired of jokes that involve West Virginians and their family members?
Not so much, really. It occasionally gets old on messageboards and such, but we get those jokes so often that it doesn't get too much of a rise out of me anymore.
What is the craziest thing you've ever done?
As far as a single event, nothing really jumps to mind here. I've done some stupid things while driving that I regret, but nothing that got me in trouble.
The craziest thing I have ever done, long-term, was become a car salesman. I've never been around so many folks that openly did drugs, ran around on their wives/girlfriends, and, generally, reveled in money as much as my time there. It was a wild experience, but I made a couple of good friends and learned a lot about negotiating and sales there, so it wasn't a total loss, but I would choose to spend my time differently if I had to do that year over again.
What do you think is your best quality? Your worst?
I'd say my best is that I am very loyal to the people that I care about.
My worst... I can think of quite a few. The very worst is probably that I have a really tough time motivating myself to begin things and tend to put things off because I am afriad that I won't get good results when I finish. Basically, I tend to rather not do things if I think there is a chance of failing or not doing very well.
What are three statements, that, when put together, paint for us a good picture of who you are?
Tough question.
1.) The most important thing in my life is family.
2.) I would like for my life to leave a positive, lasting impression.
3.) There are a lot more things that I would like to achieve in my life.
What do you do for a living?
I am a trainer for a private company. I work with students (so far, the age range has been 7-21 years old), to improve the skills that they need to learn better. Students sign up for about half a year and I meet with them 3-5 times a week and we do procedures that help them strengthen areas that they are weak in, like attention, processing speed, memory, etc. At the end of our sessions, the students often show a developmental gain of 3+ years. (If anyone has any further questions on the specifics, send me a PM).
What do you like best about working in education?
I like knowing that, even though they are working very hard during their time with me, down the road I am hopefully helping them develop the skills that they need to do their homework much faster (saving them time), pay attention better in their classes, and hopefully giving them an opportunity to achieve better success long-term. I feel like I am fighting the good fight (unlike some of my past jobs).
How do you deal with students who are nothing but trouble?
I haven't really had any students that were purposely defiant. The most frustrating thing for me is that I see a lot of students with attention disorders, so they zone out fairly often. I try to stay positive with them and keep things upbeat and intense to minimize that, but it still gets me frustrated from time to time.
How long have you been a teacher and do you remember any students from your first year of teaching?
I'm not a teacher right now, but I am going to begin classes in August so that I can get a degree that will enable me to become one. I have been doing one on one work with children for about 3-years and at my current company for a little over a year.
Give us your proudest moment as a teacher.
The happiest time for me is when I hear back from parents who are pleased with the progress. Children don't always understand why they are working with me or what we are hoping to accomplish because they are so close to the situation. But, when I hear from parents that tell me that their kids don't take hours to do their homework anymore or that they are more proactive in doing things, that makes me very happy.
Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
My goals right now are fairly clear in my mind. I'd like to finish up and get this second degree I am working on within the next two years. My wife and I would like to move back to Morgantown after that (she'll be done with her fellowship in about a year). We'd like to have kids within the next three years. I'd like to teach for a few years and then open a private, educational daycare.
Do you have any pets?
I have a two-year old Chihuahua named Isabel.
My wife was very hesitant to get a dog, as she'd never had any pets growing up, but I told her (jokingly, but she apparently took it seriously) that I wouldn't marry her if she wouldn't let me have a dog, so she agreed to get one after we had been married for a few years. We decided to get a small dog, because we have a pretty small house and we travel, by car, fairly frequently.
Anyway, my wife fell in love with the dog, at first sight, and loves her to death now.
Any quirky habits?
Nothing really comes to mind. I'd say the strangest thing is that I only use a certain brand and type of pens and pencils. I feel pretty uncomfortable not using them to work, because I have pretty crappy handwriting and these pens and pencils have thinner tips and make me feel like my work is a little more presentable.
What is the biggest struggle you went through in your life?
I have had an ongoing struggle finding a job that I enjoy. I had worked as a claims adjuster for an insurance company and as a salesmen at a car dealership before getting into education. Those two jobs were tough for me, because there was a lot of confrontation, dealing with money, in both. I never got comfortable dealing with large sums of money with people that I had just met.
Things have been a little better since I got into education and I really enjoy my current job (and the intangibles involved with it), but I still don't feel super secure about the future (or really the past) of my work career. I guess I always pictured myself as the type of person that would have a long-term job for most of my career and I have bounced around quite a bit since graduating from college in '99. It is probably the only area, in my life, that I am not satisfied with.
Have you ever traveled out of the US?
My dad has owned his own contracting business since well before I was born and Summers were always his busiest time of year. So, between my father's work and playing baseball, we didn't go on many family vacations when I was a kid. The only time we went out of the country was on a trip to Niagra Falls in 1984.
Since I have been married, my wife and I have gone on two Carribean cruises, so I have had the opportunity to visit Puerto Rico, Aruba, Dominica, Barbados, St. Thomas, and the Bahamas. I've never really done any non-"touristy" travelling, like backpacking in Europe or going to nontraditional spots. I would like to visit Egypt before I die.
If you could have dinner with 3 people living or dead who would they be? Why? What would you ask them?
This was one of the questions that I had to really think about. I tried to come up with historical figures, celebrities, etc. Then I thought it would be cool to have dinner with all my grandparents, but I'd have to leave one out, which would be kind of painful.
So, I came up with an idea that would mean a lot to someone else, as well as me. So, a little backstory:
My dad's father, my grandfather, died in a coal mine collapse in 1950, when my father was three-years old. My dad never really got to know his father and my grandmother lived as a widow for nearly 50-years. The family lived on, in relative poverty, and my dad worked his way through college and started his company in the early 70s and has always been both a great father and provider for my brother and me.
So, I think I would choose my father (who is still living), my grandmother and my grandfather, so that they could all spend some time together and get an opportunity that they really all missed out on.
What are your 3 biggest fears?
I'm not terribly afraid of flying, but seeing low flying planes (which I do almost everyday on my way to work) always sends a chill up my spine.
My other two fears are a little more deep. I didn't really feel rattled when I turned 30 (this past March), but both my wife and I fear that we won't be able to have children or that we are beginning to get too old. Not really an active fear, but it has gotten on our radars recently.
And then, obviously, I have a pretty big fear of loved ones dying. I cannot imagine anything worse than my wife dying before we've had a chance to live a lot more of our lives together. I also have the fear that a loved one will die or get sick and, since we have moved so far away from most of our family, we won't be there for them.
What are your 3 biggest dislikes? (awkward sentence)
Oh man... I could spend a ton of time on this one.
Definitely, I hate bad drivers. Drivers that shift lanes without signaling, cut in front of me, drive too close behind me, don't turn on their lights when it rains, etc.
Cell phones, even though I couldn't live without one at this point, are a pretty big dislike for me. I think they are great for parents, work, etc., but being accessible 100% of the time is kind of an annoyance and I get particularly annoyed when folks have loud conversations in restaurants or keep them on during meetings or classes. I think the current generation of teens are going to grow up with the ingrained concept that it is always alright to be on the telephone and accessible to speak. I cannot envision that being a good thing for productivity.
Another thing that really got under my skin was all of the feigned patriotism after 9/11. Particularly, all the merchandise and country music songs that just blatently took advantage of the situation to sell things. I think the Darryl Worley song, "Have You Forgotten," is a perfect example of this.
Are you an atheist, an agnostic, or do you subscribe to a formal religion?
I am Catholic. I believe in God and try to live well.
That said, I don't fall lockstep in-line with 100% of the church's politics. I also feel fairly disgruntled with the way I see religions as a businesses, so I am pretty picky in regards to selecting a church. The last one I belonged to wanted each member to donate $13,000 each so that we could build a nice, new church--which is good in theory, but even if we pinch and eat mac and cheese often, $13,000 isn't real easy for us (and I presume most) to come up with.
Were you a geek in high school?
I would say no. I never had a computer until I was in college, had pretty good grades, had a girlfriend about 90% of the time, was in quite a few organizations and clubs, and played sports. I had a pretty good time in high school.
Do you still have a crew-cut? If not, what style do you wear? Do you use gel or mousse?
I don't really have a crew cut. I just clip my hair really, really short in the Summer because it is insanely hot down here. I occassionally use gel when my hair grows out longer, but I doubt you would notice.
What is your greatest memory?
Probably pretty cliche, but I would say my wedding day. Beyond how meaningful it was for my wife and I, I definitely dug having a party with all of my friends and my family. As I get older and get to see friends and family less often, I appreciate it that much more.
Who has been your greatest inspiration?
I would say my parents. Neither of them really grew up in perfect environments, but they did a great job raising my brother and me. We didn't always have a ton of money growing up and I can even remember feeling a little jealous of some of the other kids whose parents had more prestigious jobs, but we were very fortunate to never go to bed hungry or not have clothes that fit. And, they always wanted to be involved in our lives, volunteering at school or to coach sports. I hope my wife and I can provide as good of a situation when we have children.
Online Leagues
Do you miss the JBL at all?
I do. JBL was a fun, close-knit league because it was so small and most of the owners were in it for so long. The live sims were awesome, too.
Do you still enjoy being in the RWBL, or is it more of a sentimental/tradition thing at this point?
Probably a little bit of both. I like the accumulated history a lot. The league is so old that we basically have two full generations of players that have come and gone and I think that is very cool to look back over. I also think that 6.5 is the best at player generation and stat generation, so far. But, at one point, probably 75-80% of the owners were very serious/competitive in the league, with like 20% just kind of filling space and going through the motions. I think the ratio is a bit worse now, unfortunately. There is still a real good core of owners left, though.
When will you finally win the RWBL Title?
Maybe this year, but probably not. I thought I put together a pretty good team this year, but we are halfway through the season and half of my pitching staff still have ridiculously high ERAs.
How does it feel to have single handedly ended the (RWBL) Yankee Dynasty?
It sucks. I think we have played like 28 seasons and I have managed to lose the World Series five times. And, I haven't even made it to the World Series in like 15 seasons. It sucks.
In real life you're a Pirates fan, yet in the RWBL you run the Yankees. Is that the equivalent of the powerful CEO who sneaks off at night to be humiliated by a domintratix, only the exact opposite?
And... as much as it sucks to be a terrible OOTP owner, it pales in comparison to being a real life Pirates fan.
Have you been in other leagues other then the RWBL?
I have been in a ton of OOTP leagues over the years. Probably close to ten. JBL and RWBL are the only two that I have been in for more than 2-3 seasons, though. Most leagues fail within the first season or two, so four or five went out like that. A handful of them just didn't grab my interest, so I quit. One or two fell apart before we started playing games.
I was in two Diamond-Mind leagues for several real years back before I found OOTP and they were fun. I have found it strange that the real active guys that were in those leagues haven't seemed to show up on the OOTP boards or in the leagues.
I'm also in radii's FOFC FBCB league and have been for several real years.
I was in HA's FOF league for awhile, but I couldn't get into it because FOF just seemed like too much for me at the time. I'm a quick simmer in FOF and the pace of an online league just bored me.
Who is your favorite player all time in the RWBL?
My favorite star was Adrian Gonzalez. I remember working on that deal with Schmidty and I felt like I paid out the ass, at the time. I had gone into a mini-rebuild mode and had acquired/drafted three really good prospects: a power hitting corner IF (Ricky Capra), an power hitting OF (Dallas Nash), and a stud closer (Ray Arbour). He got all three off me, and Capra and Nash did end up having very good careers and Schmidty won, I think two WS, with Capra and some of the guys he got for Nash. But, Gonzalez was an awesome player and got well over 3,000 hits and had a ton of gold gloves, so it was probably worth it.
I'm also fond of some of the role players that were Yankees for a long time, like Richard Constant (who killed JR House of Toronto's career in a Pete Rose/Ray Fosse like play at the plate) and Charles Romeo.
What other games do you play other then OOTP (RWBL)?
I haven't really played a whole lot of other games in the past few years. I sample out text sims and am happy to buy them to support the developers, but they generally end up on the shelf after a month, at best. FBCB is one that I keep going back to, and I suspect I will play Bowl Bound again once the season gets closer.
I have a PS2, but I think the last game I got was NFL Street '05. My attention span for games is just not what it used to be.
I know I was the one that made you take it down, but I miss WVUgirl. That's not a question, just a comment.
Here you go, buddy:
http://rwbl.net/images/wvugirl.jpg
What better, OOTP or FBCB?
I'll say that I have gotten more enjoyment out of the OOTP series, over the years, than any other game I have ever owned. The multiplayer facet makes it great.
That said, the simple, yet complex setup of FBCB makes it a much better "game" for me. There are so many different ways to approach your program, from how to allocate your budget (do you pick great coaches or give yourself more money to recruit with so that you can get great players?) to setting up different offensive and defensive systems. It is game that you feel like you can win in different manners and there are long- and short-term goals (increasing your prestige, taking a poor program to a post season tourney, winning a title, getting top recruiting classes, moving on to better opportunities, etc.). Just a great game that always gives me that, "just one more stage" feel.
Thoughts on the Tennessee Dynasty in FBCB?
Their success is on the verge of becoming UCLA-like. Their pressure defense is just insane and they never seem to have let down games. I'm glad I'm not in the SEC.
You've been successful in our FBCB League keeping West Virginia near the top of the Big East, but haven't been able to surpass Syracuse and Notre Dame yet and haven't made a Final Four yet. Is there anything you wish you'd done different with them or that you're working to do to get WVU up there with Tennessee/Notre Dame/Syracuse/Oregon and the likes on the national scene?
I think I've had as good of success as can be expected. The team has improved by like 35 prestige points in 11 years, we have the best facilities in the nation, have been to four S16s and two E8s in the past six seasons, so we are making good progress and getting up to the big boy range. We've had some bad luck with long term injuries to some of our better players, but I think we're legitimate a Final Four threat now.
I think the next and, hopefully, final step will be having some sustained success and keeping my prestige up in the 85-95 range, so that I can afford top notch assistants. I have traditionally spent more of my resources on recruiting, but I am going to begin bringing in better coaches to develop the talent now that my budget has gotten higher.
Sports/Favorite Teams
What was the most exciting sporting event you ever attended?
Not super meaningful in the grand scheme of things, but it would be the WVU game @ Pitt in 2002. It was a snowy Saturday, about a month before my wedding, and my wife was having some sort of shower for it, so my buddies rented a van and we drove up to Pittsburgh.
Tailgating atmosphere was weak, but we managed to have some drinks in the van before taking the Clipper over to the stadium. We ran into another WVU fan, right in front of the front gate, and he was carrying around a nearly full 30-pack of beer on his shoulder, just a few minutes before kickoff. I told him that there was no way he was going to be able to drink all of that before kickoff, so he gave us some beers and right after we opened them, a cop came over and said, "Those are $500 beers you boys are drinking. You probably oughta get rid of them." :)
Anyway, WVU was coming off a terrible 3-8 season, but we had turned it around in '02. The game was for 2nd place in the conference--whoever won it would be the #2 (Miami won the BE almost every year) and get the better bowl bid. It was tight all the way and I was super hammered, but I remember in the fourth quarter this huge wave of snow came blowing in like a sheet. We ended up holding them on their last drive and pulled out the W. We've been rolling ever since.
What's the best sporting moment of your life? What's the worst?
Best is definitely winning the city Little League Championship when I was ten. Remarkably close game. My team, Pro Nissan, beat Peerless Laundries, 4-3. I was playing second base and caught a forceout at 2B for the final out. It was awesome.
Worst was in the 1992 NLCS, when the Braves came from behind to beat the Pirates in Game 7. The Pirates had been to the NLCS for three straight years, but everyone pretty well knew that '92 was their last chance because they weren't going to be able to resign Barry Bonds or Doug Drabek. Jose Lind, who was an amazing defensive player, made an error that inning to start things off. We got within one out of closing them out, but a reserve catcher named Francisco Cabrera (who had a career average of .254 and was last seen as a cab driver) drove in super slow, former-Pirate Sid Bream, with a throw from Bonds just missing him at the plate.
I had followed the team my entire life. The won the World Series in 1979, but I had no memory of it because I was 2, and they had been pretty terrible until Jim Leyland got there. And then, with that loss, it was all over. We haven't had a winning season since.
Is this year West Virginia's best chance at winning the National Title?
I think this season and next season will be our best opportunities. We've been really fortunate to have two amazing offensive players in Patrick White and Steve Slaton. Slaton is amazing, but I suspect he'll turn pro after this season if he stays healthy. I think White has an amazing ability to will our team to wins, so I'll feel good about our chances as long as he is around. Our toughest game should be against Louisville, and we have them at home this year, so I think we have a chance to go undefeated this season. Hopefully, two other BCS teams don't end up undefeated if we do.
What are three teams that you absolutely hate?
These are all college football teams:
Virginia Tech, Pitt, and Notre Dame.
If I had to pick NFL teams:
Baltimore, Cincy, New England.
If you were running the real life Pirates, what would you do to improve them?
I probably wouldn't take the job unless there was different ownership. The Pirates biggest problem is that their owners are doing this for year-to-year profit, whereas most other teams are owned by super wealthy men/organizations that see the team as a long-term investment. The value of the Pirates has increased almost $200M over the past 15-years, largely due to the new stadium, but the Pirates owners need to make a $25-$40M year-to-year profit.
Anyway, if I were to take over the team, the biggest changes I would make would be to quit overpaying for guys that are easily replaceable, like Jack Wilson. It is okay for small market teams to overpay for star players/difference makers, but spending 5-10% of their payroll on Wilson is a joke. I would focus on drafting college players in the draft and pay to get them signed. And, I would invest in baseball academies in the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, and Venezuela. The NL Central doesn't really have any juggernaut franchises (although Chicago could become one if they start making smart decisions), so it should not be unreasonable to expect to cyclically compete for the division ever 3-4 years.
If you could have attended any sporting event live, what would it have been?
The Immaculate Reception game.
Big Ben or Terry Bradshaw?
I don't remember Bradshaw playing, so I'll go with Big Ben.
Favorite Steeler?
Hines Ward. I would probably hate him if he didn't play on my team, but I love the way he plays.
Chuck Noll or Bill Cowher?
I'll take Chuck Noll. I'm a Cowher fan, but after seeing us win a Super Bowl with an above average QB (Big Ben), it makes me really pissed off that we spent so many years screwing around with guys like Kordell, Tomczak, Kent Graham, and Tommy Maddox. I think Cowher had a big ego and thought that he could make those guys good enough to give our great defenses and running game a chance to win the Super Bowl, when they clearly just didn't have "it." With all the blown 2nd round picks he had over the years, you'd think he could have rolled the dice on a day 1 QB once or twice.
Noll was a good manager, which is what is most important for a head coach. He knew how to find and retain good coordinators and coaches, how to soothe egos, and was able to identify (and if necessary fight with the FO to draft) great players. He hung on a few years too long and didn't adapt well to the FA era, but he was a great head coach.
Have you ever thrown a temper tantrum after you favorite team lost a game?
If I have done more than throw a pillow or remote control, I cannot remember it. I did break down and cry when the Pirates traded my favorite player: Bill Madlock.
Blue Devil or Tar Heel?
Definitely not Blue Devil. I like the Tar Heels pretty well, but since the BE raid, I'm not real partial to any other ACC teams. I'll generally root for UNC, but if they play any BE teams (other than Pitt), I'd root for the BE teams.
What would it take for you to completely disavow West Virginia and become a full-fledged Tar Heel fan?
If WVU became a satellite branch of Pitt or Virginia Tech, I'd consider it.
Super Bowl or National Championship?
Easily a National Championship. It would mean so much for the state and school. I cannot even describe how it would make me feel for WVU to win a title. We came pretty close in '89 (played ND in the Fiesta for the title) and I didn't really appreciate it.
Werewolf
Wolf or villager?
It is fun to be a wolf, but I prefer to be a villager for the most part. I like laying low for a few days, surviving, and trying to observe, before trying to prosecute and trip up the wolves down the stretch.
Or more specifically, right now, are you a wolf or a villager?
Nice try. I'm a human... are you?
What is your favorite thing about WW? Least favorite?
It is kind of like a super developed game of chess. I think most of us feel like we are pretty smart and observant, but playing WW can humble you in a hurry. I like the mental challenge of it.
I also like that it has given me a chance to get to know some other FOFCers. Between online leagues and WW, I've gotten to know some good folks.
What has been your favorite WW game and why?
I always like Alan T's games and the Tombstone was awesome. It is one that I would definitely like to play again.
But, my favorite was Foz's X-Com game. Digamma had a role that allowed him to communicate one person's dreams to another player in their dreams and we managed to form a CoT and he was able to feed me info about the bad guys for a few days without outing himself, so I got to be the voice of the seer without putting myself in danger. And then, my power was to "duke" via a computer program, so I made a last minute switch from a good guy over to (I believe) Neon Chaos, who was bad.
Random
Do you bite your nails?
I did for a really long time, up until a few years ago. I started clipping them fairly short and that prevented me from getting uneven nails and that pretty much ended it.
What movie can you watch over and over?
LA Confidential is my favorite movie and the one that I'd pick as my top choice. Other favorites; Rob Roy, High Fidelity, Fast Times at Ridgemont High, Old School and Tombstone.
Have you ever seen a ghost?
I love ghost stories and movies, but I don't believe in ghosts.
Ever had a lap dance?
Yeah... I've had a few. I've been to quite a few bachelor parties in the past five years, but, sadly, most of my friends are married at this point. I'm still holding out that my brother-in-law will get married sometime soon.
What do you like best about Durham?
After living in Mid-Atlantic states (WV, OH, PA), I would definitely have to say the weather. It is insanely humid, with horrible mosquitos, for about 2.5 months a year, but there is only like 3-4 weeks of Winter in late Jan./early Feb., and the rest of the year the weather is excellent.
Why couches? What the hell did a couch do to you?
Because Pitt fans, despite how oily they appear, do not burn well.
What is the story about getting shot in the stomach?
This question comes from a werewolf game, where we had to give two true statements and one false statement, and I thought this would be a good one to throw people off, although it isn't as dramatic as it may sound.
I had a beebee gun when I lived at home (it is presumably still there at my parents' house, I guess). One day, when I was in high school, I had been playing basketball with 3-4 friends and we came over to hang out in my basement afterwards.
I think two of the kids were playing Nintendo or something, I was talking on the phone, and two of the other kids were messing around with each other and one of them found the beebee gun. So, one of the guys mooned the kid that had the beebee gun and the kid shot him in the ass, which was exceptionally funny (particularly when he went home and had to have his older brother remove the beebee, because he didn't want to tell his parents what had happened).
The guy that got shot in the butt beat up the kid that shot him, got the gun and kept it aimed at him, and wouldn't let him back in the house (so he went home). So, I was still on the phone, relaying what had happened and the kid comes over to me, without thinking (and apparently not realizing that he had reloaded it--the beebees were stored in the gun) and shot me in the stomach, point blank. It bled like crazy, but it didn't actually stick in my stomach and I was afraid to tell my parents, so I never went to the doctor. I still have a scar on my stomach.
What would you do if your son/daughter came home and told you they wanted to go to the University of Pittsburgh?
Tell them that mommy and daddy are going on a ridiculously expensive vacation courtesy of your college savings fund. I cannot envision a scenario that ever involves me writing a check to Pitt.
You can go out drinking with 5 people from FOFC, who are they and why?
Let me go with six:
Brian (bsak16) -- so I wouldn't be the most embarrassing drunk there.
Schmidty -- he'd just have to be there. Hopefully he wouldn't pass out too early.
Ron (vtbub) -- we'd need someone to act remotely like an adult while there. Plus, I would want to get Brian to think that Ron is mad at him..
Neuqua -- he'd be the one that we'd trick into getting super drunk and then dare him to do things that he'd regret in the morning. Ross (INDalltheway) would be a good choice here, too, but I think he is probably still underage.
Sean (MapleLeafs) -- he's funny while I am sober, so he'd probably be even funnier afterwards. Plus, when Brian starts talking about the NHL, they could sit next to each other so I don't have to nod along and act like I know what he is talking about.
Dangarion -- he seems like he'd be quiet for awhile, but after a few drinks he might do something crazy, which is always good on a night out. Plus, I think he would be willing to carry a drunk Brian or Schmidty out, if necessary.
Then, I would probably get someone that I perceive as responsible, like radii or stevew, to pick us up and take us to get some food.
How does it feel being one of two people I (Alan T) added to my FOFC buddy list years ago before deciding it was annoying and never using it again?
It makes me wonder who I am competing with to be your #1 buddy. I bet is is Celeval.
Is the US the greatest country in the world? Why or why not?
I would say that it still is the greatest country in the world. Despite how we are portrayed in the media (and how that is magnified by the media coverage of Hollywood), I think Americans are very giving and charitable.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?
I'd like to go back to Morgantown, WV. I've lived in PA, OH, and now NC and enjoyed everywhere I have been, but it would be nice to be around our families again. Plus, it seems like we spend most of our vacations and weekends that we feel like travelling going back to visit family, so it would be nice to not have to make that 7-hour drive, just to go back home.
Breasts - huge, big, slightly large, b-cup, or Kate Moss?
It depends on my mood, but if forced to choose and using your scale, I would go with big.
Inny or outty?
Inny.
What ingredients does the world's best omelet have?
Well, I recently found out that I have high cholesterol and started taking medicine for it. But, if I must, I'd probably go with ham, American cheese, and mushrooms. Nothing too fancy, but it sounds pretty good at the moment.
Favorite YouTube clip.
I like checking out music videos and sports highlights on youtube, but nothing beats this:
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Do you know the muffin man?
This sounds like a good one to end with.