New GSU Logos

Today was not a great day in the park, so my original plan of putting up some pictures of me in my Georgia State gear didn't pan out as well as I would have hoped.

But that's perfectly okay because Georgia State has plenty of pictures today. The one year countdown to kick-off starts today. September 2, 2010 will be the first game of GSU football. This includes the new logo.

Here are some of the photos taken from Georgia State's Athletic Website. Some of the photos are from Georgia State's Sports Communication and some are from Stephen Jones photography.





These photos include the new helmet and Georgia State's Head Football Coach Bill Curry, Athletic Director Cheryl Levick, and President Becker.

Here's the logo with just blue, white and red (so much better!):



The primary colors are still blue and white, but black and red are added as secondary colors.

So what are my thoughts? Well, here it goes.

I'm not a huge fan of the new logo. It looks very similar to a high school type logo. It seems like it would be more comfortable on a locker room wall in Bumkinville, Georgia than on the basketball floor in Atlanta. I really don't like the black highlights. The blue and white is a lot better and I certainly hope it's used more than the version with black highlights and shadows.

Now, I do like the fact that Georgia State is FINALLY using GSU. Up until now it was taboo to use GSU in the athletic department. Which is weird. A lot of people use GSU when referring to Georgia State, including the internet. If you have email through the school, your email is whatever@gsu.edu. I know that there is some confusion between Georgia Southern University and Georgia State University, but I really think that State will dominate the market now that they are allowed to used the moniker.

I really liked the old logo a lot better. The sideview of the panther was great and fierce. The word mark is better now than the old one.

Now the GSU is slick. I love that. Good job there.

I'm sure the cat will grow on me.

The other big announcement today was the schedule. Have a look.

GEORGIA STATE'S 2010 FOOTBALL SCHEDULE:

Subject to Change. Home games at Georgia Dome.

Sept. 2 SHORTER (Thursday)



Sept. 18 JACKSONVILLE STATE



Sept. 25 at Campbell



Oct. 2 MOREHEAD STATE



Oct. 9 SAVANNAH STATE




Oct. 16 NORTH CAROLINA CENTRAL



Oct. 23 at Old Dominion



Oct. 30 at South Alabama



Nov. 13 LAMBUTH



Nov. 20 at Alabama



And if you want tickets?

GEORGIA STATE FOOTBALL TICKET INFORMATION:

The Georgia State Ticket Office is now accepting deposits for 2010 football season tickets. Panther fans can establish their seat selection priority by making a non-refundable deposit of just $50 per seat. Deposits can made be on-line at GeorgiaStateSports.com or by calling the Georgia State Ticket Office at 866.GA.STATE.

The schedule is a whole lot better than I expected for the first season. Of course the schedule isn't highlight after highlight, like say the University of Georgia or Georgia Tech, but it still seems pretty impressive for the first season. Particularly that Alabama closer. Oh, and in case you don't know: the Georgia Dome is where the Atlanta Falcons NFL team plays on Sundays. Yeah. Big time venue.

I did get a few photos in of me in my old GSU (I love saying that!) shirt and hat at the Magic Kingdom. Let's get to them.



These are really the only pictures I took today. The problem was the weather. It was horrible. I generally take a ton, but not today. That odd looking Georgia State glowing logo is my shirt in a black light. Cool, huh?

Maybe Georgia State should have the old logo, only it has to glow in the dark. That would be awesome!

Georgia State Update

Alright. Want to hear about something that's NOT Disney?



Georgia State is 366 days away from it's first football season. Tomorrow, the one year countdown begins. There's a reception in the Student Center Ballroom where the new schedule will be discussed with the fans along with an introduction to the entire football team, including the incredible Head Coach, Bill Curry .

Seriously, check out that link. His record is quite impressive. Here is his profile:

Full Name: William Alexander Curry

Date of Birth: Oct. 21, 1942

Hometown: College Park, Ga.

Family: Married to the former Carolyn Newton

Children: Billy and Kristin; Grandchildren: Alex (10), Elliot (9), Evelyn (5), Claire (3), Brett (infant).

Education: Georgia Tech, 1965 (B.S. in Industrial Management); College Park (Ga.) High School

Playing Career:

Three-year letterwinner (1962-63-64) at Georgia Tech. Team captain in 1964.

Played 10 years as a center in the National Football League with the Green Bay Packers (1965-66), Baltimore Colts (1967-72), Houston Oilers (1973) and Los Angeles Rams (1974)

Played in three Super Bowls with Green Bay (Super Bowl I) and Baltimore (Super Bowl III & V) and won three championships (Green Bay, 1965 & 1966; Baltimore, 1970)

NFL Pro Bowl, 1971 & 1972

Served as President of NFL Players Association

Coaching Career:

1976 Assistant Coach, Georgia Tech

1977-79 Assistant Coach, Green Bay Packers

1980-86 Head Coach, Georgia Tech

1987-89 Head Coach, Alabama

1990-96 Head Coach, Kentucky

2008-Present Head Coach, Georgia State

Honors:

Atlantic Coast Conference Coach of the Year, 1985

Southeastern Conference Coach of the Year, 1989

Bobby Dodd National Coach of the Year, 1989

Amos Alonzo Stagg Award (AFCA), 2007

Member of Georgia Tech Athletic Hall of Fame, State of Georgia Sports Hall of Fame

President Gerald R. Ford Legends Center Award, 2008

Other Experience:

Television analyst and contributing writer, ESPN, 1997-2007

Director of Leadership Baylor, Baylor School, Chattanooga, Tenn., 2006-08

Author of "Ten Men You Meet in the Huddle: Lessons from a Football Life"

Distinguished Executive Fellow, Robinson College of Business at Georgia State University

...

Don't just look at the numbers. They don't tell the whole story of this man. He is a great speaker and a sincerely nice person. If you ever get the chance to shake his hand, do it. You will be a better person for it.

The rest of the football staff will also (presumably) be there. I've seen most of these guys around, but don't really know them all that well. Except Assistant Coach of the Defensive Line, Chris Ward. Coach Ward is a nice guy so I certainly hope the D-Line does well to accurately represent the type of coach they play for.

PLUS there's a sneak peek at the new logo tomorrow! I love logos and the whole element of design, so I'm pretty gitty about the prospect. My understanding is it is sorta similar to the Florida Panthers logo.



A little preview of the schedule as well. Georgia State will play at the Alabama Crimson Tide in November of 2010. Yeah, we probably will get killed, but that's okay.

I miss Georgia State Athletics. I left after the semester ended in the Spring for school and the Braves.

There are some fantastic people there. Bobby, Carlos, Kevin. Everyone. The sense of humor is great and right up my alley. Not enough people in this world are that type of funny.

Carlos is a hockey fan, so we take in a few games when we get the chance. Of course, he's a Devils fan. He's almost all there upstairs in the brain, but he's got some work to do (Go Thrashers!). He used to be a Jersey Lifeguard, so I feel safe working at the Sports Arena.



Bobby's a little better in the sports department. He's not a hockey fan (boo!), but he IS a Braves fan (yay!). He worked for the Braves front office before jumping down here to Orlando, Florida and working for UCF (Central Florida). Now he's the head ticket guru for the Panthers. We seem to be living an odd, parallel-ish life. He could be my father. Probably not, but maybe. Or me in an alternate reality where being short is cool.



Olivett's there too. That's it. Nothing much more to say.

Of course I'm kidding. The wicked humor on this guy, just like the whole bunch. Kevin is probably the most likely to start clapping along with the servers in a restuarant when it's someone's birthday. Everyone else joins in. He's obviously the alpha male of the marketing department. He expects results. He achieves results. And he makes it a truly fun (almost uncomfortable) work environment.

Here's an example of the fun. I may have already told this story, but it's funny enough to repeat:

Okay, so I'm working at Turner Field on Cinco de Mayo. I'm in the office at our headquarters when an employee comes in and tells me that a fan is complaining and wants to speak to a supervisor.

This happens occassionally, so I'm used to it. I step outside with a member of the front office behind me and see Bobby and Kevin standing there. I know exactly what's going on, even though we hadn't planned anything. Looking at Bobby, I ask, "Can I help you?"

"Yes sir. I was told this is where I go to get my free sombrero."
"I'm sorry, sir. We don't have any..."

"NO! That guy told me to come here!"

"Sir, calm down. We don't..."

"I will not calm down. It's my friends first Braves game and we demand our sombreros!"

"Sir I..."

"Sombreros!"

"I don't..."

"Blah Blah Blah! I want my free sombrero!"

"Sir calm down."

"I will not be calm!"

"Sir?"

"WHAT?!?"

"Sir, would you like a hug?"

"Okay."

So we hugged on it.

The look on everyone's face, including the other employees was priceless. This fan was about to clock me and now we're just going to hug it out.

A similar back-and-forth was attempted later in the season with Bobby and Carlos. Bobby tried to act as an interpreter speaking Spanish and English. It was hilarious. So funny seeing Carlos yell in fake Spanish was so funny that I was unable to keep the skit going. I broke character. Oops.

I do miss working with these guys. They play a lot, but they also get the job done.

So, in honor of Georgia State Athletics, I'm spending my day off tomorrow wearing my Georgia State shirt and football hat. Pictures tomorrow. Also, be sure to look at Georgia State Sports tomorrow as well for all those updates.

By the way, every wondered what the Disney princesses act like backstage?



Oh, and Bobby. I got your sombrero, but some duck stole it!



(Yes. It's a reposted picture. But it fits so well here!)

Ten Things I'll Miss from Atlanta

Well, this will be the last post until I get to Disney World. I've been reflecting on all of the great opportunities that await. There's some things I'm nervous about, mainly having a roommate.

I have also been thinking about the things here in Atlanta I'm going to miss. So, I present the ten things I'm going to miss from the Atlanta area.

There are two obvious things missing from the list: family and Stephanie. Considering Stephanie and I are in a long distance relationship, I don't really consider her a part of Atlanta. A major part of my life for sure, but just not Atlanta based. In case you don't know how important Stephanie is to me, scroll down to the bottom of the previous post. She is my everything and I'll continue missing her, just from a different zip code.

As far as family, it is impossible to measure the love and how much I will miss them. Mom, dad, Abbey, Kevin, my grandmother, aunts, uncles and cousins. I don't think I appreciate them as much as I should. I didn't really realize that until after our lunch yesterday when it was too late. The good thing is I'm going to be back in January (plenty of time for the annual Super Bowl party) and enough time to perhaps spend some time with my cousin Ben as well as the rest of the family that I just don't spend enough time with. Ben is starting at Georgia State. Best of luck to him.

Katy: When you read this, let Ben know the best place on campus to buy sodas and snacks is Cinefest. It's the cheapest. Also, he has to go to some of the FREE sporting events. Volleyball and basketball will start soon.

Going back to the nuclear family, I know it's tough on them. That's why they're not on the list because it's immeasurable the amount of love and support they've given me. I don't always appreciate it enough nor do I show it as much as I should. The good news, again, is that I'll be back soon.

So, on to other things.

--

10. My Bed

It's trivial, I know. But I will really miss having my own space and the opportunity to just relax whenever I want to without having to worry about a roommate. I am very much a people person, but I do love my me time.

--

9. My DVD's

Speaking of me time, I like to watch DVD's. I haven't watched television (excluding sporting events) since 2008. I will watch it if someone else is, but I have not turned it on for myself. It used to control my life. I would turn on TBS or Peachtree TV and watch reruns over and over. I will have my favorite DVD's in Disney World and I'll watch them on my computer. Still, I'll miss the variety I have.

--

8. The Varsity



Two chili dogs, fries and a coke. Need I say more?

--

7. The 501st




They are pretty low on the list because I'm going to be surrounded by characters. Now, in case you didn't know, the 501st is a costuming group that portray Star Wars villians. Even though I've been to several events and actually costumed with them, it's still a surreal experience. Seeing your favorite movie characters come to life is still amazing.

The Georgia Garrison website here

Here's Legion's website.



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6. The Weather

Florida is hot. I do like having fall, my favorite season. My understanding is that Florida will not have a nice cool season, so I'm a little bummed about that. I can handle the heat. I just don't want to.

--

5. Kitten, Nemo, and MJ





The pets. I would say always loving, but the cats have a tendency to scratch. Still, I will certainly miss them.

--

4. Georgia State University



There is a lot to miss about Georgia State. The Athletics Department has been a pretty big part of my life for the last year or so. Bobby, Carlos, Olivett and everyone in the Sports Arena are some really great people. Where else will you get a group of people to clap along (if not more) that the wait-staff in a restaurant for some strangers birthday? Their humor is great and I will miss working with them during the begining of the basketball season.

Be sure to check out Georgia State Sports here for updates on the Athletics Department, especially on September 2. Big news, including the two semi-finalists on Big Brother. It's that or a new look for Georgia State Athletics. One or the other.

I'll also miss some of the great people I've met at Georgia State, including professors and students. I will NOT miss the parking situation nor will I miss the commute into Atlanta.

--

3. The Thrashers



This has been a big part of my life for a few reasons. The team is the most obvious, but it's the least important. That smirking chicken represents so much more to me than just the game. I'll be checking the Thrashers site regularly.

It reminds me of the tons of great times I've had at Philips Arena. This is my escape from everything. I will never work for the Thrashers. I am too big of a fan and, again, I use it as a way to tune out of "reality" into a world of fun.

There are also so many great people that I associate with the Thrashers. Nicole is one of them. She has always been my hockey buddy. Anytime I wanted to go to a game, she was always the first person I called. Just a great personality. I should perhaps not include her in the list because she has actually moved to North Carolina, but it's my list and I'll do what I please. Best of luck to her. And yes, Stephanie knows about Nicole.



Chuck is the other. Chuck Bell is my own personal hero. He has been there through some really REALLY rough times in my life. You are a better person just from having met Chuck Bell. I am lucky enough to call him a friend. He also has a great family, his wife Kim and two girls.



If you've ever seen the back of my blue Thrashers jersey, the name and number are BELL 8. People put names of players they want to see, and I always hope to have some interaction with Chuck. Plus, he has the best eight seats in the arena. In case you didn't know it, Chuck is the organist with a box located center ice on the second level.




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2. Turner Field



Again, this is not about the Braves. Of course, I want them to do well but again, it's about the great people and outstanding experiences I've had there. From the front office people, to my managers, to the our staff, to other staffs, I will miss Turner Field.

On my last day (Saturday), they presented me with a signed Chipper Jones picture and a massive cookie cake. I was honestly touched by these gestures and all the kind words from everyone that pulled me aside. I don't want to brag, but I never knew that many people appreciated my hard work and effort.

Since I don't get the Braves Radio Network in Disney, I'll be at the Braves website alot.



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1. The Black Bunny Crew



Most are members or affiliated with the 501st, but I consider this a seperate group. This new gaggle of friends are some pretty special people. Captain, Madog, Blow-Up Stuff Brownie, Stowaway, Vitale 1 & 2, Powder Monkey, Dr. Who, DeTag, everyone.

I'll miss the trivia nights, the armor parties, the random get-togethers, all of it. It's just so nice to be yourself and be completely accepted for it.

The interesting thing about the Crew is about half are in the art or performance business (SFX, animation, puppetry). I always thought I was a pretty good at some of that stuff, but they are amazing professionals at their crafts. If you've never seen their work, check this out. These are clips from adultswim's "Harvey Birdman: Attorney at Law". Hilarious show. It basically is about a old cartoon character finding a second profession as a litigator. Awesome. The first clip is very appropriately Disney-esque. The second is more typical Birdman humor. One of my all time favorite shows. It is not currently in production. Sadness.

(Note: If the clips don't play, it's probably my fault. I'm still working on successfully posting videos and slideshows. There are links below. Definately check them out.)

Click here for Birdman Singing or here for the hilarious Jetsons Meeting Birdman. Be aware the website will automatically start playing the next clip after the one you're watching is done.

Also, look at all the fun, fluffy things at Puppatoons.

The other half of the Crew is in law enforcement agencies and sciency type stuff. It's an interesting mix of folks that I've grown to love.

I am truly going to miss hanging out with them. Luckily, many of them will be going to Disney World so I will only have to wait a short time till I see them again.




--

I'll talk to you again from the "Happiest Place on Earth"!

I Stand Corrected

Well, I was wrong. Yankee fans are not worse than Cubs Fans . They were generally polite and civil. Of course, there was the typical booing and cheering and chants and such, but that's to be expected.

The sad part was that the Braves have been advertising for some time now about this homestand. "Get your tickets now! They go fast!" and things like that. There are even tips for fans attending the game. In fact, for the last week the message boards on the Interstate system have been saying "Braves Permit Parking Only. Others use MARTA."

Well, there was a ton of people there, but the walk up was nothing. We had about 30 police barracades placed in our sales line to help with the overflow of people, but the people didn't come. I think most were scared that if they didn't have tickets already, they couldn't get them. I mean, we had additional staff, Atlanta Police in force with their mobile command unit and horseback patrols, and a ton of management from the front office around. And it was nothing. No line to speak of at all. No window had a wait of more than three people at any given time.

Now, I'm not one to say I-told-you-so, but I totally called this one. My memory of the Red Sox series from two years ago was a good predictor of tonight. I worked almost every day out in the line and it was so boring. My theory is because there was so much fanfare about this game and so much hype, that fans assumed that if they didn't have tickets, they can't get in. On Friday and Saturday, that will be true but not for the rest of the homestand. My slight fear is that people will sit at home and see the empty seats and actually show up in droves for the rest of the games. Possible, but still pretty unlikely in my book. We shall see if I'm any good at this whole prediction stuff.

Today was really hot though. I mean, REALLY hot. Fans and employees alike were falling over like crazy. I can't really comment on it, but let's just say I had to stay late tonight for some paper work related duties. That means I got stuck in the traffic, which was horrible.

But at least the Braves pulled out a victory . A nice one too. And just in the nick of time for one Turner Field landmark. That big Coke bottle is being retired on the 2nd of July.

Before I forget, I did get and email from Georgia State Athletics today. That's good. I haven't worked there in over a month because of a Maymester and surgery. In addition to the email, I saw Carlos (marketing guy) at the game. Huge Yankees fan and he actually did bid the auction I talked about yesterday and won along with about 70 other folks. He paid $51 if you are interested. And it sounds like Georgia State is still interested in me from what he says. That makes me feel good. I really did put in some good work and I hope they have some good work for me. I don't know if they want me to come back until I go to Disney (about a month), but I'm willing if they are. I'll have to see.

Well, I'm pretty exausted and tomorrow is round three (of ten!). And the forecast for tomorrow calls for more 90 degree weather. Drink plenty of fluids if you are going to be outside tomorrow.