Well, as we get closer to Super Bowl Sunday (5 more days!), I thought I'd give you some Steeler entertainment to make the countdown go by a little bit faster...
http://www.steelerbaby.comThis cracked me up. Personally, I recommend the "hope" one.
And, because I hate to leave you, the faithful blog reader, hanging, here's an update on Beaver County's most beloved Broncos fan...
After a long week, Beaver Falls students puts his feet up
Larissa Theodore, Times Staff
01/29/2006
BIG BEAVER - Running his fingers across the leather, Joshua Vannoy, 17, admired his new recliner Friday, leaning back to adjust and readjust the seat, and inspect the swanky armrest cup holders.
Minutes before deliverymen from Poland, Ohio, parked a furniture truck in front of his home in Big Beaver, Vannoy knew he was getting a surprise. But he had no idea he was getting an exclusively designed $3,100 recliner from one of his favorite quarterbacks, John Elway. The special gift was sent from the Denver Broncos legend, who maintains that no Elway fan should have to sit on the floor, according to Jennifer Maguire, a spokeswoman for Bassett, manufacturer of the chair.
"I'm speechless. I don't know what to say, but 'Thank you, Mr. Elway. Thank you,' " a cheery Vannoy said from the chair, his family watching from across the room."I'm sorry, Josh. I don't think it matches the living room," joked his mother, Virginia.
The chair came about a week after a story made national headlines that Vannoy, a junior at Beaver Falls High School, was forced by his honors ethnic relations teacher, John Kelly, to take a midterm exam on the floor because he was wearing a No. 7 John Elway Denver Broncos jersey.
Vannoy, an honors student with a 3.8 grade-point average, said he felt dehumanized when Kelly, a Steelers fan, directed students to throw wads of notebook paper at Vannoy during class as he took his test. Despite rumors to the contrary, the Vannoy family said it hasn't received Super Bowl tickets or any other perk until now. Vannoy hasn't been to school since the incident happened Jan. 20, but he plans to return Monday.
His parents and their lawyer, Nick Frisk III, met Friday with Big Beaver Falls Area School District officials to discuss the situation, and school officials encouraged Vannoy to return to school. Vannoy said he'll make up his mind over the weekend whether he will continue with Kelly's class for the remainder of the school year to earn a full credit or take a study hall and earn a half-credit for the year. The teen wants to graduate with high honors, and if drops the class, he'll have to modify his schedule next year to make up for the lost half-credit.
But that's not the family's biggest concern. They said they worry about threats he's received from students and hope he'll be safe when he returns from his week off. It'll start with the school bus at 6:30 a.m. Monday."He's a big boy. I think he can take care of himself," his mother said.
The Vannoys said they didn't know whether Kelly would be disciplined. The school board plans to meet soon to discuss and consider the facts before making any decisions. Vannoy plans to spend the weekend catching up on homework, but doesn't mind putting it all behind him.
"I'm relieved it's finally starting to end so I can get back in school and start my education," he said.
...but what better way to spend the big quarter century than with Birthday-Palooza (look at me with my high-tech Flickr links :-P) weekend! Kicking off with the surprise Mike visit Thursday for Rene's birthday, a wild and crazy Green Eggs night at Hardware Bar Friday, presents, pizza, poker, and Twister Saturday, and dinner with Mom and Dad and the gang Sunday, it was a weekend to remember.
