Here we go again . . .

The last time I tried to start the blog back up, the tornado hit and the blog became a place to report all of the news coverage my parents seemed to get. After that, well, let’s just say I got into MySpace for a bit, and now my new obsession is Facebook. Throw on top of that switching to a new role at work, traveling a lot, and raising a beautiful yet very rambunctious 2-yr old, let’s just say blogging got behind.

For those who are new to the blog, my first post describes my unique interests in life:
Original Post

Since my last posts, some interesting things have happened that correlate directly to that initial post. First, Ric Flair retired from wrestling, which to Vince McMahon’s credit (ok, so it was more HHH) was a wonderful tribute. But most importantly, I got to go to my first English Premiership soccer game and see 6 Americans play, including my favorite player ever, Kasey Keller. I went with two British comedians to the game, including one who guested on my all time favorite show, the BlackAdder.

And as for sports, it was a good pro year for who I like. Now if the Cardinals can get an actually bullpen, it might get better. Plus, the English Premiership is 1 & ½ weeks away!

Hope to be on more.

But no Flannel Shirt

Tennessee US Senator (and former governor) Lamar Alexander stopped by for a photo opportunity on Wednesday. So, my parents got another write-up in the Jackson Tennessee paper. There is also an online gallery with several pictures of my parents (like 4 out of 10). My guess is that this will be the last news media they will get from this, so maybe the old blog will be back soon.

Also, the house was bulldozed today - after 22 years of living there.

The article:

Meeting Senator Alexander

And this is the photo gallery:

Pictures with Lamar

News Video

Below is an article about the house, but once you click on the article to the right is a new video in which my mom, dad, and brother are interviewed. You will have to let the commercial run first on the video, though! The initial picture before you run the video is all of the collected debris in our front yard. Only the Whites have an Ole Miss and a US flag hanging from the house!

New Article and Video

My parents have settled in to their temporary home and continue to be taken care of wonderfully. The in depth job of listing inventory of what they have and what they lost is coming soon! I will try and keep this blog updated as best I can.

Tornado Article

Below is an article from our local paper regarding our house and the tornado. I missed it the first time b/c as the big brother it is hard for me to realize that my brother is a "man". Second, my mom was a little irritated b/c she insisted she had a headache and not a nervous breakdown as she thinks the article implies!!

http://www.jacksonsun.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008802080311

From the Rubble

Here is my parent's house (and my childhood home) the morning after the tornado hit Jackson, TN. My mom was inside but thankfully was not even injured. The good news in
all of this, besides of course my mom being ok, is that most of our pictures and personal effects were salvaged – including heirloom china, etc. So many people are helping out it is amazing. They are much better off than so many other folks who lost their home just due to so many friends, etc . . . and hopefully good insurance!!

My dad’s company is setting them up in a house to live in while they figure out how to re-build, so that is good news and they have been given storage space to
store everything. So, they are being taken care of.

Good Morning America filmed their weather report in front of our “house” this morning, and interviewed the Mayor from our driveway. My mom has been on a couple
of regional interviews and I think even on national radio. I am still a little at a disadvantage being up here in the DC area, but it sounds like they are having plenty of help, so I will probably not try to make it to Jackson anytime in the immediate future. Rumors are that President Bush may come through the neighborhood at some point, but that may just be speculation right now.

More later . . .

Brother in the Bond

My fraternity, Sigma Nu, at my college, Ole Miss, has produced some unique alums. For example, we had a guy who was a regular on the Lawrence Welk show. Another was the guy who wrote and directed the Benji (the dog) movies - not to mention Chevy Chase's Oh Heavenly Dog. There is a former US Senator (Lott) and a current US Senator (Wicker). Not to mention several lesser known politicians, writers, and athletes. Oh - did I forget to mention one of the main television plastic surgeons?

Then there is a man who fathered two different sons that started a Super Bowl (Archie Manning). Speaking of the name Manning . . . for all of those people with their unique successes, not many people can say that a man who was in their fraternity at their school (even though at different times) started in the Super Bowl.

Here's to you Eli.

Movin' on Up Like George and Louise

I just read on Yahoo! real estate that the county we live in, Loudoun County, VA, is the second wealthiest county in America:

America's richest counties based on median household income

The county I work in, Fairfax, is the wealthiest. And they are 1 & 2 by a pretty large margin.

I guess being in #2 is not good enough for us. So, in April, we plan to move from Loudoun to Fairfax. If you can't beat 'em join. Watch out Jeffersons - we are moving on up as well. We finally got a piece of the pie.

MMMMMM . . . Pie.

A Flair for Home

A friend of mine at work today let me know that Ric Flair was appearing at the Washington auto show tonight. Now, considering this blog is a pun on his name, and he is one of the 5-10 people I would like to meet in this world, you think I would have worked it out to go. Granted, it would have taken me about an hour to get there, but still . . . Alas, work, cold weather, family and just being plain tired was enough for me to get in my car and head home instead. It's like I am Dusty Rhodes giving in to a figure four . . . without the Dusty finish.

Maybe I am just getting old. Unlike Ric Flair & Space Mountain, me and Thunder Mountain Railroad just can't go all night long anymore

The Return

After some thought, I am going to try and bring back A Flair for God. I figured now is a good time, being a new year and all. Further, several things from my initial introductory post have been making headlines . . . at least in my world. First, Patrick Willis led the NFL in tackles as a rookie and continues to show why he is one of my two sports heroes (along with Albert Pujols). Next, the WWE is running a Flair retirement angle which is excellent. And, in the spring, my wife and I are going to see our first English soccer game hopefully to see the team Kasey Keller is on.

Maybe like the Nature Boy I have a little left in me.

Anyway, here is the original introduction to the blog which I think sets up the blog well, entitled "The Sum of Which is Pro Wrestling":

People always ask how I, an educated person who enjoys cultural activities and knowledge of the world, can possibly be such a fan of pro-wrestling. Simple. Outside of God and family, my three favorite loves are sports, acting and comedy. Add sports, acting and comedy together, and you get . . . pro wrestling.

I have always known the that outcome of wrestling was predetermined, even at a really young age. I am surprised that I did not get involved in reformed theology later in life. After all, I believe God in his sovreignty has already predetermined everything. And, as far as I know, pro wrestling matches are predetermined too.

So on behalf of:
The Nature Boy Ric Flair (Whooooooooo)
John Calvin
The Blackadder
P. Willie, and
Kasey Keller

Welcome to the ring. Jerry Calhoun is your referee. Ding, Ding!