Charlotte, NC

Okay, I guess none of us were surprised, really, with the results of yesterday’s election. The main thing to do now, though, is to take those results and make a better future for the QC area.

I’ve heard a lotta folks say that Pat McCrory should’ve stepped down; that he’s (as one person near Archdale Rd. put it) “overkilling” the mayorship. But when ya look at the facts, you’ll see that C-Town has experienced a greater and more beneficial growth during his terms than at any other given time! Taking him outta the race would’ve been like taking the star quarterback from the Panthers simply because he’s been played too much. Glad he made it back in (but, by the same token, props to his opponent for putting up a great fight).

And kudos to the people of Charlotte for voting “yes” on the all-important school bond. There are thousands of youngsters who, one day, will thank you for it … Of course, the transportation tax-repeal was nixed … and (forgive me, Martha Stewart) that’s a good thing. Y’see, it’s needed if we’re gonna continue updating the CATS (including the light-rail) system.

Of course, I’m not close to being surprised at Pineville’s elite (Mayor George Fowler, Councilfolk Libby Boatright, Les Gladden, David Phillips and Jim Eschert) making it to their respective offices. Having known these for most of my life (and watching David and Les grow up), I can tell you that Pineville’s in goooooooood hands!!

Noticed that Richard Stilwell, Jr., didn’t get the mayoral seat in Cornelius. I wonder if it’s the same one I worked with in ‘71? If so, the dude is definitely smart enough to give it another try in the next election …

But next year’s big vote is what everybody’s talkin’ about now. With Giuliani now getting an ally out of 700 Club televangelist Pat Robertson, folks around here say he’s just “shot himself in the foot.” And the “Hillbillary” campaign mix may just send the other Dem front-runner “Barack” to Congressional status. John Edwards would still make an extremely competent and confident Prez. But they’re all hoping they can get through the campaign without Gore.

A coupla other things (see? Toldja!): Word from the street is that those three people arrested for the prostitution ring are getting some serious come-uppance from our local gendarmes! Personally, I’m waitin’ until the jury’s decided, but … if it’s true, one of them better think back to November, ‘64, when that person told me how I’d “never amount to anything” because I was from Pineville, while that person was “going to be rich and famous someday”. I wonder … is this the way you got your wish??

Also, word on the street is that “Dog” Chapman should have a chance to clear his name without takin’ his show off-the-road (or off-the-air, anyway). Still, we’ve gotta remember that the N-word is one of hate. Our thoughts and feelings about anyone should be based on their actions … not their skin color.

Only one of those things can be changed.

Now … the partying’s over until this time next year. It’s time to see how this is all gonna work out for us. ‘Til then, I’m goin’ back to bed …

So many times, we get bogged down with work, keeping up a household or whatever that, despite wanting to continue our education on a higher level, we don’t have the time to attend a brick-and-mortar college or university.

Today, however, there’s a way to get that education … and the degrees we want … from the comfort of our own homes!

capella university is an accredited* institution that you can attend online. It offers many graduate degree programs — especially in fields that will be heavily-in-demand over the next decade — and some great bachelors’ degree programs as well!

Presently, there are nearly 20,000 students throughout all 50 states (and 56 countries!) taking advantage of the university’s commitment to academic excellence and steady, balanced growth in business.

So click on the link above, and find out, for yourself, why this amazing online university is so popular … and how you can get the degree you want without having to neglect your job or household! If you want more info, just call 1.888.CAPELLA (227.3552). Believe me, you’ll be glad you did!

*Capella University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (NCA).

Awwww, wouldn’tja know it?? Just as we’re coming to grips with this “spring forward, fall back” thing, they spring an election on us.

Now, you know the Relic can’t give ya any hints on who to vote for — just be sure to get it down Pat … er, pat … when ya do. But, whether in it’s in Charlotte or Pineville (a great race for mayor there, by George … but, ummmm, I’m not recommending anyone … er, right?? If your pick for Town Council wins, you’ll probably be a Gladden to hear it but, I … I’m not … recommending anyone … ?!?), make your vote count by … well, by going out and VOTING! Then you can go to McCrory … er, McDonald’s and have a cup of celebration coffee!
But I can give props for the school board issue. Hey … anything that’ll help our kids is worth it, right??

Okay, on to something else: Lemme see a show of hands here … how many of you have PayPal accounts?? Then, tell me: Have ya gotten an email lately, claiming that they haveta check your account “due to third party access” or something? You know … they have some kinda link you’re supposed to click on to straighten out the “mess”.
Listen … DON’T CLICK IT! Instead, “roll over” the link with your mouse (no, I mean your computer mouse, Robin! Leave “Scruffy” alone …) and, at the same time, look in the lower-left corner of your screen. You’ll see that the link actually leads to another site instead of PenPal. Yup … it’s a scam, designed to get your PayPal info!! But … if ya wanna make sure, just go to your real PayPal account and see if it runs okay. (Oh … and remember that any communication from PayPal comes straight from its page, and that’s gonna start with “https:” for security’s sake (it’s called a “secure socket layer”, and is nearly impenetrable!). And the word “PayPal” is not hyphenated, either …).

Folks, we’ve gotta be serious for a minute: The Charlotte Observer is reporting an increase in child abuse around the QC area. Look … I don’t care who you are; if you abuse a child, you’re a freakin’ criminal and lower than a snail’s belly at the bottom of the deepest part of the Catawba. No one … and I mean NO ONE … has the right to harm even a hair of our kids. They’re the essence of innocence, honesty and warmth … and they’re the only future the Queen City has!. Hey … Somebody thought you were worthy to have a child of your own, and that kid looks up to you for guidance, love and understanding. Don’t BLOW it by hurting that young-un! And if you know a child who’s being abused, it’s your duty to report him to the police or Social Services. Don’t let even one more kid be hurt, people!

Oh … for you who’ve asked: The wrestling gig went well, thanks. Honestly, the promotion I announced for (although in Kentucky) was very reminiscent of the old Mid-Atlantic Wrestling. Totally family-friendly and with some of the best workers I’ve seen since my first gigs in Charlotte yearrrrrrrrs ago, Ohio Championship Wrestling is a name you’ll be hearing more and more of in months (and years) to come!! It was a total blast with a nearly sold-out crowd at the Ashland (KY) Armory!

See ya tomorrow …

Ahhhh, the little twitch-in-time that bears the initials “DST”.
‘Course, the big question is: DIDJA?? (Actually, “spring forward, fall back” is more the way I walked as a kid … but that’s a different story) Most folks did, but if ya didn’t, it’s no big deal …

I remember, back-in-the-day, when I’d get up around ten-thirty in the A. M. on that designated Sunday morning, rush to get the kids ready for the morning service at Stough Memorial (God bless Quaker Quick Grits! Saved many a breakfast …), get the 1980-81 BoltBucket warmed up (hey … don’t blame me! The spare parts of my old rattletraps came together pretty darned good — duct-tape does wonders, doesn’t it?? — and head on down Polk Street at a blazing .5 MPH until …

It’d been a long time since we’d been to Sunday School … but we made it that time!!

Actually, there is something serious to talk about here: Within the week, some of you might feel kinda blah — you know … like your last meal was a dirty sock or something? You might even find yourself goin’ from third-gear down to “grandmaw” in just a few hours. The reason? It’s because we’ve gotta adjust one more clock … that of our metabolism (ie, our innards)!

Y’see, our insides have an understanding with our outsides. If it even looks like goin’ home time, then, darn it, it’s goin’ home time! And our bodies get ready for the release, the traffic, the shower/feeding/news-time. Let something (like DST) throw a monkey-wrench in our plans, though, and the body rebels a bit. Same thing happens at bedtime, gettin’-up-to-face-the-daily-grind — and, then, after you kiss him/her goodbye, the job — and at other times of the day.

Farmers have it worse. Cows can become udder failures if you’re an hour early. Chickens … well, they’re still “laying around,” so you’re safe. Your cat’s still nipped, your pup’s pooped, and your horse may be a bit hoarse at that hour!

So make sure your clocks are set right! Do it now, and avoid the rush! For you kids who’ve already missed your bus or dads whose bosses have docked ya for being late and sent ya back home — now’s your chance to bond! Take the kids to school, and be ready for a great day tomorrow!

Me?? I’m headin’ back to bed …

Okay … better late than never, right??

Actually, the reason the Relic’s late for this episode is that … well, ya know the wall socket you plug yer PC into?? (Yeah, even if you’ve got a surge-protector!) Unfortunately, mine decided it didn’t wanna carry the load anymore and sorta … spit at me when I tried unpluggin’ my MegaMess ‘89 (v. CCXIV).

Sooooo, I took the BigBlackBox, monitor, microphone (okay … tin cans, then!), speakers, peeboard (so sue me … I’ve got cats!), mouse (”cliquer”), and cookies over to the next room. (No, COOKIES! Chocolate chip. Love to munch on ‘em!)

Plugged that sucker into the outlet, and … and …

(geez … where’s that little hamster when ya need him?? When the AC outlet was installed in my house, I fired the dude. His wheel coulda saved me!) anyway, no juice. Or power.

Got the electrician out to check it out, shake his head, pray, and write me one of those neat little bills for a little less than the cost of my house. Maybe he’ll also fix the problem. If he does, I’ll pay his bill … and find out how well he does with cats!

Anyway, I said all that to say this: With Christmas just around the proverbial corner, there are gonna be a load of lights, plenty of purties, and mounds of mistletoe everywhere! Just make sure you check yer outlets, your wiring, and be TOTALLY safety-conscious AND logical when you run those things!

Over the past years, we’ve heard news reports of folks whose houses have bitten the dust in a fiery rage … and all due to faulty wiring or overloaded circuits. Don’t let it happen to any of YOU this season! Make it a safe holiday season, okay??

Now … I’ve gotta see if I can still … remember … how … to … handwrite! Anybody got a pencil??