VIRGINIA TECH WINS ACC CHAMPIONSHIP, DINWIDDIE FALLS

The Virginia Tech Hokies won the ACC Championship last night beating the Florida State Seminoles 44-33 in Charlotte and by doing so will be heading to the Orange Bowl where the like face either Stanford or UCONN. In high school football action yesterday Dinwiddie lost a tough won to Phoebus 21-13, the Generals were leading the game lat in in the 3rd quarter 13-0. The other team from the Central Region Hermitage advanced to the Championship game beating Bayside 42-27 and will play for title next Saturday in Charlottesville against Battlefield. In college basketball action yesterday the VCU Rams beat William & Mary 59-55, today Virginia will be in Blacksburg to face Virginia Tech in the ACC opener for both teams. In the NFL today the Redskins have another tough game when they travel to New York to face the Giants and the Packers are at home against the 49ers. In high school basketball action last night the CH girls team improved to 3-0 with 64-45 win over Trinity. We did get a little snow last night but it was barely a dusting, mostly on cars and rooftops. MICKEY

You didn't get enough sleep last night

Lack of rest stimulates two faux hunger triggers: energy deficiency, to which our natural reaction is to nourish our bodies, and appetite hormone confusion. "When our bodies are drained, levels of leptin—a hormone produced by our fat cells that controls our appetite—decrease, while levels of gherlin—a hormone produced by our stomach that stimulates our appetite—increase," explains American Dietetic Association spokeswoman Karen Ansel, RD. That's two hormones working against you. "Getting eight hours of sleep a night is the easiest thing you can do to prevent overeating." If you do fall short on zzz's, be sure to load up on nourishing, naturally energizing foods—such as fresh fruit, complex carbohydrates and lean proteins—throughout the day to help your body feel satisfied.

REDS SWEPT, PACKERS LOSE IN OT

Well the Cincinnati Reds season came to an end last night when the Phillies beat the Reds 2-0 and by doing so swept the series with the Reds 3-0. The Braves blew a 2-1 lead in the top of the 9th inning and lost to the Giants 3-2, the Giants now lead the series 2-1 with game for set for tonight in Atlanta. Also yesterday the Devil Rays beat the Rangers forcing a game 5 in Tampa tomorrow night. The Green Bay Packers lost to the Washington Redskins yesterday 16-13 OT, the Packers lost allot of good players in this game which will hurt them in upcoming weeks, also after the game QB Arron Rogers was diagnosed with a concussion which could keep him out of action for a few weeks. The Redskins are now tied for 1st place at 3-2 with the Eagles & Giants with the Cowboys 1 game behind them. Tony Stewart won yesterdays race at Fontana holding off Clint Bowyer for the win, Jimmie Johnson now leads Denny Hamlin by 36 points in the Race for the Chase. My left wrist is bothering me this morning, it feels like I might have bent it backwards but I don't remember doing it but it sore. Also today is Columbus Day no I am not off like all you government workers. MICKEY

Optophobia—Fear of Opening One’s Eyes
When a baby is born, one of the first things it will do is open its eyes. That’s also one of the first things people do every morning, which makes this phobia extremely debilitating for those who are afflicted with it.

The unfortunate thing about this world is that good habits are so much easier to give up than bad ones. -Somerset Maugham

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ME MA EVELYN, GREEN BAY AT WASHINGTON

Well today is Me Ma Evelyn's 90th birthday, HAPPY BIRTHDAY ME MA EVELYN. I have posted a nice picture of her with her favorite dog Mozart taking a few months ago. Today in the NFL the Green Bay Packers will be in Washington today to face the Redskins, I have to root for the Packers in this game but I will root for the Redskins the rest of the time as long as they are not playing the Packers. It was another tough afternoon on the football field for the Virginia Cavaliers yesterday when the Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets ran all over the Cavaliers 33-21, the Cavs just could not stop Georgia Tech's triple option. The New York Yankees became the first team to move on to 2nd round of the 2010 MLB playoffs sweeping the Twins, the other 3 series wlll all be in in action today with Phillies and Rangers trying to close out there series while the Braves will be looking to take a series lead over the Giants. In the NHL last night the Rangers opened up the season with a 6-3 win over the Sabres, the Rangers looked very good last night will face the Islanders next on Monday afternoon in a Columbus Day Special. I will have the updated standings from Mickey's Place College Football Contest later this morning. MICKEY

Tell yourself, “Well, at least I…” Get some things accomplished. Yes, you had a horrible day, but at least you went to the gym, or played with your kids, or walked the dog, or read a magazine.

“Some people bear three kinds of trouble the ones they’ve had, the ones they have, and the ones they expect to have.” ~ Edward Everett Hale

PACKERS & RESDKINS WIN, BRAVES MAKE PLAYOFFS

The Green Bay Packers didn't play very well yesterday but did beat Detroit 28-26, next week the Packers will be in Washington to face the Redskins. Speaking of the Redskins the Skins picked up a big 17-12 win over the Eagles, the Skins jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead and held on for the win. The Atlanta Braves had to wait to final day of the season to clinch the NL Wildcard and by doing so will face the San Francisco Giants in the best 5 series, the other NL series has the Cincinnati Reds Facing the heavily favored Philadelphia Phillies. Greg Biffle won yesterdays race at the Kansas Speedway and Jimmie Johnson is now your new points leader leading Denny Hamlin by 8 points and Kevin Harvick by 30. Well it is raining right now here in the Heights but it is suppose to stop later this morning but it is going be a very cool day. Well I am off to work. MCG

Broccoli
Why it’s good for you: A nutrient powerhouse, broccoli is an excellent source of vitamins C, K and A, as well as folate and fiber. Research suggests that broccoli (and the rest of the cruciferous family) may help prevent some types of cancer, diabetes, heart disease, osteoporosis and high blood pressure. Plus, broccoli contains a certain pectin fiber called calcium pectate, which may help lower blood cholesterol.

Big egos have little ears. -Robert Schuller

VIRGINIA CRUSHES MARYLAND, CUBS ELIMINATED

Where in the world has that Virginia Cavalier football team been all year? I don't know how a team could look so bad the 1st 4 weeks of the season and come out there and look so good last night. The offense and the defense just totally dominated Maryland. Maybe Keith & Andrew new what there were doing when they picked the Cavs to win in this week pick em contest, I just might take the Cavs next week myself when the East Carolina comes to town. In the MLB playoffs yesterday the Brewers stayed alive with a 4-1 victory over the Phillies and the Dodgers finished off the Cubs with a 3-1 win and completed the sweep 3-0. It has now been 100 years since the Cubs have won a World Series. In the NFL today the Redskins have another tough game when they travel up I-95 to the city brotherly love to face the Eagles and Packers will try to get back on track when Falcons come to town. The big problem for the Packers today is who is going to play QB, Rogers is a game time decision and both the backups are rookies. The Packers wouldn't be in this mess if they wouldn't have let Brett Favere go. Travis Kvapil captured his 1st career pole for todays race at Talledega, Casey Mears will start along side of him on the front row. It looks like next Sunday I will be at the Virginia Motorsports Park in Dinwiddie parking cars at the NHRA drag racing event for the CHHS Sports Backers, I think my PAIN index will start rising by midweek just thinking about parking cars on Sunday. Let's just say yesterdays fall baseball games at Prince George just didn't go to well, in two games we scored 0 runs. MICKEY

Dreams come true; without that possibility, nature would not incite us to have them.
John Updike

TODAY IS
National Storytelling Festival
Spinach Lover's Day
World Teachers Day

Sliding Furniture
This is a tip for sliding furniture across floors that you don't wish to damage. Save cardboard milk cartons and cut the top of off four of them. Then slip a milk carton bottom under each leg of the furniture.

A quite evening with friends is the best tonic for a long day.

New research from Brunel University in London reveals what many runners have known for years: Music can help you run longer. Reseacher Dr. Costas Karageorghis found that, when carefully selected according to scientific principles, music can enhance endurance by 15% and improve the "feeling states" of exercisers, helping them to derive much greater pleasure from exercise. The exercisers remained positive even when working out at a very high intensity and close to physical exhaustion.

Bil Keane Cartoonist ("Family Circus") 86
Glynis Johns Actress 85
Bill Dana Comedian 84
Diane Cilento Actress 75
Arlene Smith R&B singer (The Chantels) 67
Richard Street R&B singer (The Temptations) 66
Steve Miller Rock musician 65
Brian Johnson Rock singer (AC/DC) 61
Jeff Conaway Actor ("Taxi") 58
Karen Allen Actress 57
Clive Barker Writer, director 56
David Bryson Rock musician (Counting Crows) 54
Daniel Baldwin Actor 48
Michael Andretti Auto racer 46
Dave Dederer Rock musician 44
Mario Lemieux Hockey Hall of Famer 43
Patrick Roy Hockey Hall of Famer 43
Guy Pearce Actor 41
Josie Bissett Actress 38
Grant Hill Basketball player 36
Heather Headley R&B singer-actress 34
Parminder Nagra ("ER")Actress 33
Scott Weinger Actor 33
Kate Winslet Actress 33
James Valentine Rock musician (Maroon 5) 30
Nicky Hilton TV personality 25
Brooke Valentine R&B singer 23

REDSKINS STUN COWBOYS, PACKERS LOSE AGAIN

The Washington Redskins stunned the Dallas Cowboys in Dallas yesterday 26-24 and with the win knocked Dallas out of the ranks of the unbeaten in the NFL. It doesn't get any easier for the Redskins next week as the Skins will travel the Philadelphia to play the Eagles. The Green Bay Packers fell to Tampa Bay yesterday 30-21 and the Packer offense struggled most of the day and Aaron Rogers injured his shoulder in the 4th quarter as well. Hopefully he isn't injured to bad because the Packers have two rookies backing him up. Also yesterday former Packer Brett Favre threw 6 TD passes in the Jets win over Arizona. Jimmie Johnson won yesterday Sprint Cup race at the Kansas Speedway and with the win Johnson also leads the point standings as well, he leads Carl Edwards by 10 points and Greg Biffle by 30 points. I think the only pro or college team that I have a rooting interest in that won this weekend was the Washington Redskins. It looks like the weather is going to be pretty good this week with highs in the low 80's today and tomorrow and highs 70's the rest of the week. My PAIN index remains over 6 this morning just because I didn't have that great of a weekend. MICKEY

Winners are the ones who really listen to the truth of their hearts. ~ Sylvester Stallone

Anger - Feelings of extreme displeasure. Develop willpower to control negative emotional feelings. I NEED TO PRACTICE THIS SOMETIMES

Don't try to run faster than you have strength. Just work to be a little better and a little stronger each day.

DID YOU KNOW
It snows more in the Grand Canyon than it does in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Lizabeth Scott Actress 86
Steve Forrest Actor 84
Eddie Barth Actor 77
Anita Ekberg Actress 77
Robert Benton Director, writer 76
Jerry Lee Lewis Rock singer, musician 73
Ian McShane Actor ("Deadwood") 66
Jean-Luc Ponty Jazz violinist 66
Mike Post TV, film theme composer 64
Patricia Hodge Actress 62
Mark Farner Rock musician (Grand Funk Railroad) 60
Bryant Gumbel TV personality 60
Alvin Crow Country singer 58
Drake Hogestyn Actor ("Days of Our Lives") 55
Gwen Ifil Broadcast journalist 53
Suzzy Roche Singer (The Roches) 52
Andrew "Dice" Clay Comedian 51
Roger Bart Actor 46
Les Claypool Rock singer, musician (Primus) 45
Jill Whelan Actress ("The Love Boat") 42
Erika Eleniak Actress 39
Brad Cotter Country singer ("Nashville Star") 38
Emily Lloyd Actress 38
Natasha Gregson Wagner Actress 38
Rachel Cronin Actress ("Ed") 37
Danick Dupelle Country musician (Emerson Drive) 35
Zachary Levi ("Chuck") Actor 28
Katie McNeill Country singer (3 of Hearts) 26

PACKERS & REDSKINS WIN, BIFFLE TAKES 1ST RACE IN THE CHASE

The Green Bay Packers are now 2-0 after yesterdays 48-25 win over the Detroit Lions and believe it or not the Packers were lucky to win this game. The Packers actually trailed the Lions 25-24 with 5:18 left in the game before the Packers scored 24 unanswered to end the game. The Washington Redskins picked up there 1st win of the season yesterday beating the New Orleans Saints 29-24, the Skins dominated the Saints in th 1st half offensively but had to settle for three 3 field goals an actually trailed at the half 10-9 before pilling out a victory in the 2nd half. Greg Biffle ended his 33 race winless streak at the right time and won the 1st race in the chase yesterday at New Hampshire and with the win he is now 3rd in the point standings 30 points behind leaders Carl Edwards and Jimmie Johnson. Kyle Busch the points leader going into yesterdays race had all kinds of trouble yesterday and now is 8th in the standings. Here in Colonial Heights yesterday Sheetz was out of gas all day, I saw in the paper that there are gas stations all across the state that are out of gas and gas has gone up about .40 a gallon since Hurricane Ike hit Texas on Saturday morning. My PAIN index is way done this morning after a good nights sleep. MICKEY

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend. Albert Camus

WHAT IS TODAY
Anniversary of premiere of The Lone Ranger (1949)
Big Whopper Liar Day
America's Day for Kids
International Sing-Out Day
International Eat and Apple Day
Wife Appreciation Day

SOMETHING TO PONDER
Do toilet seats really protect us from anything?

Uses for Old Jeans
When jeans are past their prime and not suitable for wearing, you can recycle the fabric to use in craft projects. Denim is durable and great for making quilt blocks, purses, patches or sleeves to hold tools.

Don't banish anything.
If you have a favorite food that is high in fat or calories, don't deprive yourself. Keep a modest amount of that food in your meal plan.

Jackie Cooper Actor 86
Forrest Compton Actor 83
Norm Crosby Comedian 81
Henry Darrow Actor 75
Gaylord Perry Baseball Hall of Famer 70
Merlin Olsen Football Hall of Famer, actor 68
Jessye Norman Opera singer 63
Tommy Lee Actor 62
Oliver Stone Director 62
Dan Marino Football Hall of Famer 47
Danny Nucci Actor 40
Josh Charles ("Sports Night," "In Treatment")Actor 37
Amy Davidson Actress 29
Mike Dunleavy Basketball player 28
Prince Harry Youngest son of Britain's Prince Charles and Princess Diana 24