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	<title>Chris Leckness &#187; Commentary</title>
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	<link>http://chrisleckness.com</link>
	<description>Mobility, Social Media, Sports, and Family</description>
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		<title>Prettiest Flowering Tree Ever?</title>
		<link>http://chrisleckness.com/2012/02/06/prettiest-flowering-tree-ever/</link>
		<comments>http://chrisleckness.com/2012/02/06/prettiest-flowering-tree-ever/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Feb 2012 03:18:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cool Stuff]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Flowering Tree]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Flowers]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://chrisleckness.com/?p=34306</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Hell, I don&#8217;t even know what this tree is called. All I know is it flowers once a year, normally in the spring. In Alabama right now, this tree thinks...<BR>
<h3>Related posts:</h3><ol>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2007/08/13/wow-i-thought-my-bill-was-big/' rel='bookmark' title='Wow&#8230; I thought my bill was big'>Wow&#8230; I thought my bill was big</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2010/04/14/beware-of-lending-tree-aka-home-loan-center/' rel='bookmark' title='Beware of Lending Tree aka Home Loan Center'>Beware of Lending Tree aka Home Loan Center</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2008/10/12/can-anyone-tell-me-what-snake-this-is/' rel='bookmark' title='Can anyone tell me what Snake this is?'>Can anyone tell me what Snake this is?</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Hell, I don&#8217;t even know what this tree is called. All I know is it flowers once a year, normally in the spring. In Alabama right now, this tree thinks it&#8217;s spring.</p>

<a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2012/02/06/prettiest-flowering-tree-ever/attachment/002/' title='002'><img width="300" height="300" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/002-300x300.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="002" title="002" /></a>
<a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2012/02/06/prettiest-flowering-tree-ever/attachment/003/' title='003'><img width="300" height="300" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/003-300x300.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="003" title="003" /></a>
<a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2012/02/06/prettiest-flowering-tree-ever/attachment/004/' title='004'><img width="300" height="300" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/004-300x300.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="004" title="004" /></a>
<a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2012/02/06/prettiest-flowering-tree-ever/attachment/005/' title='005'><img width="300" height="300" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/005-300x300.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="005" title="005" /></a>
<a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2012/02/06/prettiest-flowering-tree-ever/attachment/006/' title='006'><img width="300" height="300" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/006-300x300.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="006" title="006" /></a>
<a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2012/02/06/prettiest-flowering-tree-ever/attachment/012/' title='012'><img width="300" height="300" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/02/012-300x300.jpg" class="attachment-thumbnail" alt="012" title="012" /></a>

<BR><p><h3>Related posts:</h3><ol>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2007/08/13/wow-i-thought-my-bill-was-big/' rel='bookmark' title='Wow&#8230; I thought my bill was big'>Wow&#8230; I thought my bill was big</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2010/04/14/beware-of-lending-tree-aka-home-loan-center/' rel='bookmark' title='Beware of Lending Tree aka Home Loan Center'>Beware of Lending Tree aka Home Loan Center</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2008/10/12/can-anyone-tell-me-what-snake-this-is/' rel='bookmark' title='Can anyone tell me what Snake this is?'>Can anyone tell me what Snake this is?</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
			<wfw:commentRss>http://chrisleckness.com/2012/02/06/prettiest-flowering-tree-ever/feed/</wfw:commentRss>
		<slash:comments>3</slash:comments>
		</item>
		<item>
		<title>The T-Town Gallery Alabama autograph event was a terrible experience for my son and I</title>
		<link>http://chrisleckness.com/2012/01/21/the-t-town-gallery-alabama-autograph-event-was-a-terrible-experience-for-my-son-and-i/</link>
		<comments>http://chrisleckness.com/2012/01/21/the-t-town-gallery-alabama-autograph-event-was-a-terrible-experience-for-my-son-and-i/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 22 Jan 2012 03:40:28 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Commentary]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rants]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Alabama Football]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Dre Kirpatrick]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Roy Upchurch]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[t-town Gallery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[t-town menswear]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Trent Richardson]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[university mall]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://chrisleckness.com/?p=34275</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[All this week on 99.1 WZBQ and WJOX (sports radio stations I listen to all day) T-Town Gallery has been advertising an Autograph Signing for last night and tonight, January...<BR>
<h3>Related posts:</h3><ol>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2007/08/30/open-letter-to-the-university-of-alabama-alabama-sports-network/' rel='bookmark' title='Open Letter to the University of Alabama / Alabama Sports Network'>Open Letter to the University of Alabama / Alabama Sports Network</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2009/09/19/alabama-week-3-vs-north-texas-unfingbelievable/' rel='bookmark' title='Alabama Week 3 vs. North Texas – UnFingBelievable'>Alabama Week 3 vs. North Texas – UnFingBelievable</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2010/10/17/zebras-love-the-auburn-tigers-alabama-looks-bad/' rel='bookmark' title='Zebras love the Auburn Tigers &amp; Alabama looks bad'>Zebras love the Auburn Tigers &#038; Alabama looks bad</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>All this week on 99.1 WZBQ and WJOX (sports radio stations I listen to all day) T-Town Gallery has been advertising an Autograph Signing for last night and tonight, January 21st. I try to find things for my son and I to do on Saturdays for a father/son day and since we are both big Bama fans, we decided to go to this. We decided to skip the session last night since I didn&#8217;t want to brave the mall on a Friday night after working all day. Trent Richardson was on signing Saturday anyhow and Brett really wanted to meet him.</p>
<p>Here&#8217;s what was posted on the<a href="http://www.facebook.com/pages/T-Town-Gallery/176674499085356" target="_blank"> T-Town Gallery Facebook page</a>:</p>
<blockquote><p><em>AUTOGRAPH SIGNING: Friday January 20, 2012: Mark Baron, Marquis Maze, Dont&#8217;a Hightower, Dre Kirkpatrick, Courtney Upshaw, Josh Chapman, and Brad Smelley from 5pm to 9pm. $200 for all signatures or $35 a piece. Saturday, January 21, 2012: Trent Richardson with Roy Upchurch from 5pm to 7 pm. $50 for both signatures. </em><br />
<em>We expect the store will be busy so make sure to arrive early! We will have pictures and other things available to purchase for signatures! Be sure to share this with your friends!</em></p></blockquote>
<p><em></em>The Alabama celebration for their 14th National Championship was at Bryant Denny today, so I figured it would be best get there early to stand in line.  My son and I showed up at the University Mall at 2pm and walked around a little. About 2:30, we made our way to center court to get in line. Before we did, we tried to buy some items to get signed at T-Town gallery but they were closed to set up. A sign on the fence said to wait there for assistance. There were 10-15 people in the store and I waited for 10 minutes and nobody came to assist. I wanted to know more about prices and what type of items would be available to purchase. We went ahead and got into line. I looked the number of the store up and gave them a call to ask those questions. The person that answered was quite helpful and answered the questions. She did mention that they had plenty of white panel footballs to purchase. Remember that for what happens later.</p>
<p>It&#8217;s now about 2:45pm and we&#8217;re looking at a good 2 hour wait. We had some really cool folks around us in the line, so the wait wasn&#8217;t too bad. One of the ladies a couple back from me in line had purchased a few 2011 National Championship footballs before she came. Because her father in law didn&#8217;t want to drop $85 to get the autographs, she had an extra. I paid her $10 more than she paid to help her out and as it turned out, it helped me as well.</p>
<div id="attachment_34281" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 610px"><img class="size-large wp-image-34281" title="IMG_20120121_163402" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120121_163402-600x450.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="450" /><p class="wp-caption-text">Brett with a new haircut waiting in line to meet Trent Richardson</p></div>
<p>During all this, the store has a couple loudspeakers, amp, and mic to facilitate the event and make announcements. It didn&#8217;t work so well. Only the people right in front of the store could hear. I am not sure if anything important was ever said on it.</p>
<p>Now it&#8217;s 5PM and we&#8217;re still standing in line. We have approximately 100 people in front us at this point and an estimated 1,000 behind us. The line isn&#8217;t moving at all.</p>
<p>Finally around 5:30pm, the players are all set to get started. According to my receipt, Brett and I got into the store and paid for the signatures (all $255 of them) at 6:19pm. This is where it gets very disappointing.</p>
<p>Initially, my plan was to buy one thing to get signed and hope they would sign my son&#8217;s Bama cap too. While waiting, I decided to get something for Brett, something for me, and something for my father-in-law. Since I was there, waited so long, I might as well get something nice for my father-in-law and myself. But yes, the day and the idea to do this was more for my son than me anyhow. I am trying to remember that as I sit here disappointed.</p>
<p>As I mentioned earlier, I was told on the phone that there would be plenty of balls and photos to purchase once we get into the store. There were plenty of photos, none of which I felt were a good match for getting autographs of all 3 players on. I could have got 3 individual photos, but I wanted something I could get all 3 on that I could display in my home.</p>
<p>We got into the store and like I said, I wasn&#8217;t thrilled with the choice of photos so I wanted to grab a couple white panel balls similar to the one I bought from the lady behind me in line. They ran out of them a couple people ahead of me. They had a one mini white panel football on the table, so I bought it. I still needed a 3rd now. All they had left were official NFL and NCAA balls for $35. With very few options and people rushing me through I agreed to purchase an official NCAA ball. This one would be for my ball case!</p>
<div id="attachment_34280" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 610px"><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_0327.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-34280 " title="IMG_0327" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_0327-600x450.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="450" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">3 tickets for each player!</p></div>
<p>After dropping $60 or so on the two balls and $255 on the autograph tickets, we were on our way to the table to get our balls signed, grab a photo, and meet the guys!</p>
<div id="attachment_34282" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 610px"><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120121_182257.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-34282 " title="IMG_20120121_182257" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120121_182257-600x450.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="450" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">In the photo above, Trent has my third ball in hand to sign and I was still in front of Roy Upchurch. Dre Kirpatrick has his hand on the ball I got Trent to act like he was signing for a photo. The guy on the fence to the left of the video camera is the one that I refer to later in the article. He was the one that refused to talk with me about a deal.</p></div>
<p><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120121_182257.jpg"><br />
</a><em></em></p>
<p>Before we got to the table, the three balls I had were handed over to someone who handed them to the players. I didn&#8217;t even get to shake the players hands, say thanks for their service at the University of Alabama, or hand them the balls to get signed. Before I was even in front of the 1st of the three players, Upchurch, all three balls were signed and being handled by a security guard or policeman (can&#8217;t remember) and we were being shuffled out of the store. I grabbed the ball for me and asked a handler if I could at least get a picture of Trent Richardson acting like he was signing my ball since it was already signed (photo below shows him acting like he&#8217;s signing it). While he obliged that request, my son had his iPod Touch out trying to get a good picture of Richardson. He was almost crying when he asked me, &#8220;Dad, can you ask Trent to smile for my picture?&#8221;. I told him to just snap the picture, that&#8217;s probably the best you&#8217;ll get. We were shuffled along.</p>
<div id="attachment_34283" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 610px"><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120121_182322.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-34283" title="IMG_20120121_182322" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120121_182322-600x450.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="450" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Trent Richardson simulating the signing of my football at my request for a photo.</p></div>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>With 3 balls in hand while trying to get through a huge crowd of onlookers with my son by my side we moved on. I had not even had a chance to look at the balls.</p>
<p>We get across the hallway to a shoe shore where I was going to let Brett pick out some new tennis shoes. While he was checking out the selection, I was checking out the balls. The 2 white panel balls looked sweet but when I got a look at my ball, my heart sank. IT LOOKS LIKE ABSOLUTE GARBAGE! I can barely make out who is who. The photo of the dark football was taken when I got home with lots of lighting on it to show it better. While I was checking it out in the shoe store, the two guys helping my son with a new pair of shoes were commenting on how bad it looked too. One suggested that I go back over and get my money back. I considered that, but I thought I should wait another day since it was so busy in there and would be for the next couple of hours. Look at the difference in the one above and the two white panel balls below. I should have skipped over the dark, bumpy football and got photos signed for myself. Roy Upchurch&#8217;s autograph is decent.</p>
<div id="attachment_34277" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 610px"><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_0324.jpg"><img class="size-large wp-image-34277 " title="IMG_0324" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_0324-600x450.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="450" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">This is the football I am unhappy with. It has tons of lighting on it. It looks even worse in normal lighting.</p></div>
<p><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_0325.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-34278" style="margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;" title="IMG_0325" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_0325-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="270" height="203" /></a><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_0326.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-medium wp-image-34279" style="margin-left: 5px; margin-right: 5px;" title="IMG_0326" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_0326-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="270" height="203" /></a></p>
<p>We grabbed Brett some shoes and I called my wife to see if she wanted me to pick up some dinner. She could tell I was upset and I explained to her a little but didn&#8217;t really want to discuss it until I got home. She suggested I go talk with them before I leave.</p>
<p>I stood there telling my son to settle down and give me a sec. After 5 minutes I decided to try to make them a deal. I headed back, asked the police officer keeping the onlookers back to grab someone from the store to talk with me. After he realized I had already gone through the line, he got a guy over there that tried to help. He happened to be the one that told me that they were out of the white panel, 2011 Championship balls. I showed him the ball I was unhappy with and explained to him that I would be willing to let them keep that ball if I could buy something else to get signed without having to pay another $85 for the autographs again. Let me rephrase that&#8230; I paid $35 for the ball and an additional $85 for the autographs on it. I was offering to GIVE them that ball back and PURCHASE something else to get signed. The store would not incur any loss since they could give me the 3 autographs again only at the expense of 3 former Alabama player&#8217;s 2 seconds of writing. They would make more money off the addition item or items I would purchase and they could even resell the ball I was unhappy with. This guy went into the store to get an actual employee of the store over there to talk to me. Without even listening to my offer, he cut me off with, &#8220;NO REFUNDS&#8221; and walked off. After standing in line for all that time and spending $300 to be shuttled through the process like an unappreciated prison worker, I was shocked with the short answer without even letting me finish talking. I can understand they were quite busy, but in order for my offer to work&#8230; the players needed to be there and if I wait, they will be gone.</p>
<p>After this&#8230; I went from disappointed with the whole situation to mad. We left to pick up dinner and return home.</p>
<p>My son is 9, but he&#8217;s very bright and he knew I was mad. He tried to cheer me up with a couple of offers. The 1st deal was him offering to get me those autographs when he makes it to the NFL. Cute. I wanted to laugh, but I couldn&#8217;t. I can now though. The other offer was for him to get a sharpie and trace over the autographs to make them easier to see. NO BRETT. Please don&#8217;t.</p>
<p>On the way home, Brett shared with me his disappointment too. He was upset that he didn&#8217;t get to a) talk to Richardson b) shake his hand c) get his picture taken with Richardson, and d) get his Bama hat which is already signed by a couple other players signed. He knew and understood it was busy, but he thought he&#8217;d have more than a few seconds. He did get a photo of Richardson snapped with his iPod Touch. I explained to him that each signature was going to cost money and that I wasn&#8217;t prepared to pay $85 to get a hat he actually wears signed. The big white panel ball is for Brett anyhow.</p>
<p>When Brett got to meet other Bama players at another store in Tuscaloosa, there was time to chat a minute and the players he&#8217;s met have been cordial. Hell, Prince Wimbley even took off his 1992 National Championship ring and let Brett hold and wear it. I wasn&#8217;t prepared for this type of situation. The owner of the store, the police, and employees in the store were rushing people out very fast. I was very disappointed in this.</p>
<p>After getting home and telling my wife all about the day, she shared a story that I didn&#8217;t know. Apparently she had a bad experience with one of these signings a couple years ago. Terrance Cody was signing at the same place and my wife and daughter were in line to get an autograph for us. He was signing from some time to another time and when that time was up, he got up and left. There were 6-10 people left standing in line. My wife was 4-5 back and she was upset but not as upset as two kids in front of her. They were all left without an autograph.</p>
<p><strong>Let&#8217;s recap</strong></p>
<ul>
<li>My son disappointed in his chance to meet Trent Richardson.</li>
<li>I am disappointed in the quality of my prize for waiting for 3 hours and dropping $300.</li>
<li>There was no interaction with the players we were paying to get autographs from, or very little.</li>
<li>There were not enough items to purchase for autographs in stock.</li>
<li>The event started late making it seem like things were more rushed than it should have been.</li>
<li>I felt as if I paid to be treated as if we were an inconvenience to the players and store staff.</li>
</ul>
<div>Here&#8217;s another thing that I can&#8217;t help wondering. What about the people behind us in line. They are now out of small and large white panel balls so others won&#8217;t have any opportunity for a quality autograph on a good ball for autographs. In addition to that, I was close to the front of the line and I didn&#8217;t get in the store until 6:19pm. The event was from 5-7pm so how many of the hundreds behind us are going to walk away without an opportunity?</div>
<p>At this point, I am giving the small white panel ball to my father-in-law and I have the large white panel ball I purchased from someone in the line displayed in my son&#8217;s room. I am considering using my ball as a very nice, very expensive ball for my son and I to play with in the yard. It&#8217;s a quality football and all his other footballs are worn out anyhow.</p>
<p>Bottom line, I won&#8217;t be wasting my time or money on any other autograph events put on by this company. Instead, I will wait for Bama Fever opportunities and/or just buy memorabilia from companies that offer autographed items with a certificate of authenticity at retail prices like I have been doing.</p>
<p><strong>Maybe I am overreacting, but for $120, I feel somewhat justified. The ball looks horrible, my feet and back hurt, and my son didn&#8217;t enjoy the experience.</strong></p>
<h2>ROLL TIDE!</h2>
<p><strong>Update:</strong> I wasn&#8217;t the only one that had a crappy experience today. Apparently some people were led to believe that the autographs were free!</p>
<p>A friend of mine<a href="http://www.facebook.com/daphne.boswell/posts/2876467425225" target="_blank"> posted this on Facebook</a> tonight!</p>
<blockquote>
<p data-ft="{&quot;type&quot;:1}"><em>Went to the mall to get Trent Richardsons autograph..after 30 minutes in line (behind a lot of people that had been waiting way longer) and the radio guy comes across the speaker and says, These autographs are not free by the way, It will be $50&#8230;.. Needless to say I left &amp; so did a lot of others. I love my Alabama Football but I am not paying anybody $50 for their signature. Ttown Gallery should have been upfront with the people and put that little bit of info in their ads and posters&#8230;..</em></p>
</blockquote>
<BR><p><h3>Related posts:</h3><ol>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2007/08/30/open-letter-to-the-university-of-alabama-alabama-sports-network/' rel='bookmark' title='Open Letter to the University of Alabama / Alabama Sports Network'>Open Letter to the University of Alabama / Alabama Sports Network</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2009/09/19/alabama-week-3-vs-north-texas-unfingbelievable/' rel='bookmark' title='Alabama Week 3 vs. North Texas – UnFingBelievable'>Alabama Week 3 vs. North Texas – UnFingBelievable</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2010/10/17/zebras-love-the-auburn-tigers-alabama-looks-bad/' rel='bookmark' title='Zebras love the Auburn Tigers &amp; Alabama looks bad'>Zebras love the Auburn Tigers &#038; Alabama looks bad</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>My CES 2012 Wrap Up</title>
		<link>http://chrisleckness.com/2012/01/14/my-ces-2012-wrap-up/</link>
		<comments>http://chrisleckness.com/2012/01/14/my-ces-2012-wrap-up/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 14 Jan 2012 06:32:19 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris</dc:creator>
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		<category><![CDATA[Titan]]></category>
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		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://chrisleckness.com/?p=34256</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I have skipped the last couple Consumer Electronics Shows since I stepped out of writing about mobile when I sold my websites. The show has changed a little since my...<BR>
<h3>Related posts:</h3><ol>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2012/01/06/follow-gbm-editors-on-twitter-for-ces-2012/' rel='bookmark' title='Follow GBM Editors on Twitter for CES 2012'>Follow GBM Editors on Twitter for CES 2012</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2012/01/06/i-think-i-am-ready-for-ces-2012-gear/' rel='bookmark' title='I think I am ready for CES 2012 [Gear]'>I think I am ready for CES 2012 [Gear]</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2010/10/11/windows-phone-7-wrap-up/' rel='bookmark' title='Windows Phone 7 Wrap Up'>Windows Phone 7 Wrap Up</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/CES-2012-009.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-34259" title="CES 2012 009" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/CES-2012-009-600x450.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="450" /></a></p>
<p>I have skipped the last couple Consumer Electronics Shows since I stepped out of writing about mobile when I sold my websites. The show has changed a little since my last attendance. It seems to have gotten more crowded, but the quality of the show seems to have declined. More big companies seem to skip having a booth, limiting their presence to private meetings and side shows like &#8220;Digital Focus&#8221; and &#8220;Showstoppers&#8221;. I actually believe I like it better that way. I was able to see 50-60% of what I wanted to see at the two side shows.</p>
<p><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120107_174858.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-34257" title="IMG_20120107_174858" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120107_174858-600x450.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="450" /></a></p>
<p>First off, I want to thanks Xavier Lanier, Owner of <a href="Notebooks.com" target="_blank">Notebooks.com</a> and <a href="GottaBeMobile.com" target="_blank">GottaBeMobile.com</a> for bringing me along for coverage of CES 2012. While I personally feel I didn&#8217;t do as much as I wanted to, I tried. I spent a great deal of time and money before the show to position myself to be able to produce more content faster while at the show. I didn&#8217;t want to have to spend my evenings uploading videos and writing. My plan was to upload videos and write as it unfolded. I failed. My laptop had troubles and my MiFi kept losing connection at 70-80% on my YouTube uploads. I was miserable. On top of my technical issues, I didn&#8217;t want to duplicate content so I didn&#8217;t waste a lot of time looking at some of the phones that others from our team were scheduled to cover. Check out <a href="http://chrisleckness.com/2012/01/06/i-think-i-am-ready-for-ces-2012-gear/" target="_blank">this post</a> to see what I planned to work with.</p>
<h2>The Phones</h2>
<p><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120108_140453.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-34264" title="IMG_20120108_140453" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120108_140453-600x450.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="450" /></a></p>
<p>I was able to check out most of the phones I wanted to get hands-on with though. While I didn&#8217;t take videos, I got to get familiar with them. Here are the phones I got hands-on with:</p>
<ul>
<li>Nokia Lumia 710, 800, and 900. Check out Chuong&#8217;s Lumia 900 <a href="http://www.gottabemobile.com/2012/01/10/nokia-lumia-900-for-atts-4g-lte-network-hands-on-video/" target="_blank">1st Look video</a>.</li>
<li>HTC Titan II. Here&#8217;s my <a href="http://www.gottabemobile.com/2012/01/10/htc-titan-ii-for-att-hands-on-video/" target="_blank">1st Look Video</a>.</li>
<li>Motorola Droid 4. Check out <a href="http://www.gottabemobile.com/2012/01/09/motorola-droid-4-hands-on-video/" target="_blank">Adam&#8217;s Video</a>.</li>
<li>Motorola Droid RAZR Max. Check out <a href="http://www.gottabemobile.com/2012/01/09/motorola-droid-razr-maxx-hands-on-video/" target="_blank">Adam&#8217;s Video</a>.</li>
<li>Samsung Galaxy Note. Check out <a href="http://www.gottabemobile.com/2012/01/10/samsung-galaxy-note-for-att-hands-on-video/" target="_blank">Adam&#8217;s Video</a>.</li>
</ul>
<p>I didn&#8217;t get around to checking out the LG Phones unfortunately. I skipped most of Samsung&#8217;s offerings as well.</p>
<p>I decided not to trek over to check out the Sony Xperia Ion either since I didn&#8217;t want to get excited about a phone that will take forever to get Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich) based on my previous experiences with the Xperia line.</p>
<p><strong>Nokia Lumia 900</strong></p>
<p>I absolutely love the Lumia 900. Perfect screen size, fast, and the Cyan color is sexy. The camera, even though I didn&#8217;t get unload photos off of it to check out on a big screen, seems awesome. The build quality is top notch and feels very premium. The only issue I have with it is that I am no longer an AT&amp;T customer, so I am going to have to either grab a new line on AT&amp;T or wait for a Verizon equivelent. The Nokia Windows Phones eliminate one of the things that draws me to Android &#8211; free, quality navigation. I really do not like the implementation of Bing&#8217;s navigation. Nokia&#8217;s added navigation solution looks great.</p>
<p><strong>HTC Titan II</strong></p>
<p>It&#8217;s basically a rehash of the HTC Titan, but it&#8217;s got LTE. Having LTE is a good or bad thing depending on how you look at it. The battery drain on current LTE devices is massive. I love to see big speed tests but most consumers, myself included, don&#8217;t need that much data speed. The Titan II is running the same version on Windows Phone 7.5 (Mango) as the Titan and looks and feels almost identical. What is different is the slight boost in battery, support for LTE and HSPA+ as a backup, and a huge boost in camera specs for the front and rear cameras. The styling of the Titan II is has changed a tad with a  slight curved profile in a similar was to the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.</p>
<p><strong>Motorola Droid 4</strong></p>
<p>If any of you have been reading my ramblings for a while, you&#8217;d know that my form factor of choice for a long time was the slide out keyboard. Since screens have gotten bigger and onscreen keyboards have gotten better, I was able to leave that dying form factor behind. The original Droid was well done and offered a really slim form factor while still having a slider. The Droid 4 is super thin considering. I&#8217;d love to buy the Droid 4 and rotate between it and my Galaxy Nexus.</p>
<p><strong>Motorola Droid RAZR Max</strong></p>
<p>This one is dead sexy, but I&#8217;d rather have the Galaxy Nexus. The battery is massive on the RAZR Max though. It has a  3,300 mAH battery compared to the regular Droid RAZR&#8217;s 1830 mAH battery. It&#8217;s really not a RAZR at that point since the additional juice sacrifices it&#8217;s razor thin profile.</p>
<p><strong>Samsung Galaxy Note</strong></p>
<p>I never thought I would ever say this, but&#8230; it&#8217;s too big. It&#8217;s like having an HTC Advantage up to your ear. No, not really, but it&#8217;s close. I really don&#8217;t think I could use the Galaxy Note as a phone, a mini tablet yes&#8230; just not as a daily driver phone. It&#8217;s very nice otherwise.</p>
<h2>The Events</h2>
<p><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120111_175728.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-34265" title="IMG_20120111_175728" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120111_175728-600x450.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="450" /></a></p>
<p>I had a great time at the press events, dinners, and parties that I had a chance to attend.</p>
<p>The AT&amp;T Developer Summit was top notch, but I wish the opening keynotes wasn&#8217;t 2 1/2 hours. The last 30 minutes with all the phones being announced was great. Having Microsoft&#8217;s Steve Ballmer, HTC&#8217;s Peter Chou, and Nokia&#8217;s Stephen Elop all on stage was a treat.</p>
<p>As always, the Pepcom press event was top notch. I had a great time watching the 2nd half of the Alabama/LSU National Championship game. ROLL TIDE. Digital Focus afforded me time to play with the HTC Titan II and Nokia Lumia 900 without being beat up side the head with some rude guys massive video camera. I had an awesome time catching up with some PR folks I haven&#8217;t seen in a couple years, especially Palm reps that now represent HP.</p>
<p>I was very impressed with Showstoppers as well. In the past, it&#8217;s been an event that I have jumped in/out of fast but I ended up staying the entire time and still didn&#8217;t talk to everyone I wanted to. They&#8217;ve definitely stepped it up a notch.</p>
<p>Dinner with Microsoft arranged by Sonus Group was very nice. It was a great Italian dinner at Maggiano&#8217;s that included social conversation about Windows Phone with Greg Sullivan and Ben Rudolph from Microsoft. I walked out with an Samsung Focus Flash that I ended up giving to Adam Mills to review. We should be giving it away as a contest prize on GottaBeMobile when he&#8217;s done too.</p>
<h2>Famous People</h2>
<p><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/luck.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-34266" title="luck" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/luck-600x400.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="400" /></a></p>
<p>I had a few encounters with famous people!</p>
<ul>
<li>I shook hands with Ludacris.</li>
<li>I was pushed out of the way by LL Cool J&#8217;s handlers just before I took a photo from about 2 feet away from him.</li>
<li>I hollered out &#8220;Roll Tide&#8221; when Andrew Luck got on stage at the Lenovo/Microsoft party, but then shook hands in a photo op with him 10 minutes later.</li>
<li>I was a few feet from the AWESOME Alistair Overeem on the show floor. It was uncomfortable because I had 100&#8242;s pushing behind me to get closer. I wasn&#8217;t able to get a good photo either. I will say though, he doesn&#8217;t look as big in person as he does in the octagon.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Other People</h2>
<p><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/CES-2012-010.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-34260" title="CES 2012 010" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/CES-2012-010-600x450.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="450" /></a></p>
<p>I was happy to meet my fellow staff at GBM this week. I&#8217;ve already met Xavier a couple times, but I met the rest of our team for the 1st time! KT Bradford, Chuong Nguyen, Adam Mills, and Josh Smith. I had a good time with them all.</p>
<p>I ran into a lot of fellow bloggers/writers that I&#8217;ve known for years and loved running into them just like old times. I met many newer folks in the industry that I have been following and conversing with on Twitter for a couple years, but never met in person too! There are too many to name, so I won&#8217;t try and risk leaving someone out.</p>
<p>Special shout outs to my great friends that I always love hanging out with at events&#8230; Matt Miller (middle in photo above), Mike Temporale, Johan Van Meirlo (right), Judie Lipsett, Graham Skee (left), and more.</p>
<h2>Wrap Up</h2>
<p>Overall I had a great time and enjoyed covering CES again. I was excited to see so many phones shown and announced at this CES, it seems like there were more than usual at a CES. I am sure there are some surprises for MWC (Mobile World Congress), but many companies laid out some love this week.</p>
<p>I had a great time socially, but I am very frustrated with how poorly I did at live coverage of the events. Hopefully I can redeem myself in May at CTIA in New Orleans.</p>
<BR><p><h3>Related posts:</h3><ol>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2012/01/06/follow-gbm-editors-on-twitter-for-ces-2012/' rel='bookmark' title='Follow GBM Editors on Twitter for CES 2012'>Follow GBM Editors on Twitter for CES 2012</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2012/01/06/i-think-i-am-ready-for-ces-2012-gear/' rel='bookmark' title='I think I am ready for CES 2012 [Gear]'>I think I am ready for CES 2012 [Gear]</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2010/10/11/windows-phone-7-wrap-up/' rel='bookmark' title='Windows Phone 7 Wrap Up'>Windows Phone 7 Wrap Up</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>I think I am ready for CES 2012 [Gear]</title>
		<link>http://chrisleckness.com/2012/01/06/i-think-i-am-ready-for-ces-2012-gear/</link>
		<comments>http://chrisleckness.com/2012/01/06/i-think-i-am-ready-for-ces-2012-gear/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sat, 07 Jan 2012 05:58:36 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Blogging]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Cool Stuff]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ces 2012]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gear Bag]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://chrisleckness.com/?p=34243</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Using my favorite bag of all time, the Pharos GPS accessory bag, I am loaded up and ready to go. Those of you that have known me for a while...<BR>
<h3>Related posts:</h3><ol>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2011/12/16/verizon-galaxy-nexus-first-impressions/' rel='bookmark' title='Verizon Galaxy Nexus First Impressions'>Verizon Galaxy Nexus First Impressions</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2010/04/15/aximsite-gear-giveaway/' rel='bookmark' title='Aximsite Gear Giveaway…'>Aximsite Gear Giveaway…</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2012/01/06/follow-gbm-editors-on-twitter-for-ces-2012/' rel='bookmark' title='Follow GBM Editors on Twitter for CES 2012'>Follow GBM Editors on Twitter for CES 2012</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Using my favorite bag of all time, the Pharos GPS accessory bag, I am loaded up and ready to go. Those of you that have known me for a while will recognize it for sure. I will also be carrying the Logitech Kinetik 15.4 bag to carry it all in. Disclaimer: Don&#8217;t hate the photos, they were taken in a poorly lit room with the Galaxy Nexus.</p>
<p><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120106_231931.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-34247" title="IMG_20120106_231931" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120106_231931-600x450.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="450" /></a></p>
<p>We start with a basic laptop for video editing and posting. Powerful enough to get it done.</p>
<p><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120106_231746.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-34250" title="IMG_20120106_231746" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120106_231746-600x450.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="450" /></a></p>
<p>Here we have the Pharos Bag! Contents reveals over the next couple photos.</p>
<p><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120106_231815.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-34249" title="IMG_20120106_231815" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120106_231815-600x450.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="450" /></a></p>
<p>Top left is a couple microUSB cables and a charge. Top middle is the Zune HD 32GB for in flight audio entertainment. Top right is empty, but it&#8217;s the memory card box in the next photo. Bottom left is the charger for the Canon S100 in the bottom middle slot. In the bottom right slot, I have my Galaxy Nexus battery charger and 2 spare batteries.</p>
<p><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120106_231730.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-34251" title="IMG_20120106_231730" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120106_231730-600x450.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="450" /></a></p>
<p>Several MicroSD cards, memory sticks, adapters, Eye-Fi, etc&#8230;</p>
<p><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120106_231909.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-34248" title="IMG_20120106_231909" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120106_231909-600x450.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="450" /></a></p>
<p>In  the side compartment of the Pharos bag, I have a handful of screen cleaners to get the crap of demo devices for prettier photos. <img src='http://chrisleckness.com/wp-includes/images/smilies/icon_smile.gif' alt=':)' class='wp-smiley' /> </p>
<p><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/giftcards.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-34254" title="giftcards" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/giftcards-600x450.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="450" /></a></p>
<p>Some money and batteries for the video cam microphone.</p>
<p><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120106_231958.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-34246" title="IMG_20120106_231958" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120106_231958-600x450.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="450" /></a></p>
<p>One of two HD Video cameras and the microphone. I am trying a new video camera out, but if it doesn&#8217;t do well for me, I am bringing along old faithful.</p>
<p><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120106_232143.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-34244" title="IMG_20120106_232143" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120106_232143-600x450.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="450" /></a></p>
<p>Finally, a nice monopod for those long interviews with vendors.</p>
<BR><p><h3>Related posts:</h3><ol>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2011/12/16/verizon-galaxy-nexus-first-impressions/' rel='bookmark' title='Verizon Galaxy Nexus First Impressions'>Verizon Galaxy Nexus First Impressions</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2010/04/15/aximsite-gear-giveaway/' rel='bookmark' title='Aximsite Gear Giveaway…'>Aximsite Gear Giveaway…</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2012/01/06/follow-gbm-editors-on-twitter-for-ces-2012/' rel='bookmark' title='Follow GBM Editors on Twitter for CES 2012'>Follow GBM Editors on Twitter for CES 2012</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>I might start collecting these mini Android Collectibles!</title>
		<link>http://chrisleckness.com/2012/01/05/i-might-start-collecting-these-mini-android-collectibles/</link>
		<comments>http://chrisleckness.com/2012/01/05/i-might-start-collecting-these-mini-android-collectibles/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 06 Jan 2012 02:38:29 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Cool Stuff]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Gadgets]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Android Collectible Figures]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rare Android Collectible]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://chrisleckness.com/?p=34227</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I got a case of these in, busted them and my wife thought they were so cute that she claimed a couple. I am reading some websites to see which...<BR>
<h3>Related posts:</h3><ol>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2010/11/21/xperia-x10-android-2-1-upgrade/' rel='bookmark' title='Xperia X10 Android 2.1 Upgrade?'>Xperia X10 Android 2.1 Upgrade?</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2011/12/22/test-post-from-wordpress-2-for-android/' rel='bookmark' title='Test Post from WordPress 2 for Android'>Test Post from WordPress 2 for Android</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120105_182127.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-34230" title="IMG_20120105_182127" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120105_182127-600x450.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="450" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120105_194322.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-34229" title="IMG_20120105_194322" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120105_194322-600x450.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="450" /></a></p>
<p>I got a case of these in, busted them and my wife thought they were so cute that she claimed a couple.</p>
<p><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120105_203148.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-34228" title="IMG_20120105_203148" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/IMG_20120105_203148-600x450.jpg" alt="" width="600" height="450" /></a></p>
<p>I am reading some websites to see which that I got are rare and found that this clear blue one is.</p>
<p>I&#8217;ve also found that there were others released earlier which is a no brainer since the ones I got are series 02.  I guess I am going to be spending money to complete this collection. Why? No idea, but I am a collector by nature. It&#8217;s in me.</p>
<BR><p><h3>Related posts:</h3><ol>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2010/11/21/xperia-x10-android-2-1-upgrade/' rel='bookmark' title='Xperia X10 Android 2.1 Upgrade?'>Xperia X10 Android 2.1 Upgrade?</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2011/12/22/test-post-from-wordpress-2-for-android/' rel='bookmark' title='Test Post from WordPress 2 for Android'>Test Post from WordPress 2 for Android</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>A Message to LSU Fans, REMATCH ROLL TIDE!</title>
		<link>http://chrisleckness.com/2011/12/23/a-message-to-lsu-fans-rematch-roll-tide/</link>
		<comments>http://chrisleckness.com/2011/12/23/a-message-to-lsu-fans-rematch-roll-tide/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 23 Dec 2011 17:04:14 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Commentary]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Software]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://chrisleckness.com/?p=34221</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[Now here&#8217;s a video that explains this whole Alabama vs LSU thing perfectly. It&#8217;s exactly how I feel about the situation. I will be in Vegas on January 9th, I...<BR>
<h3>Related posts:</h3><ol>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2008/03/13/roll-tide/' rel='bookmark' title='Roll Tide!!!'>Roll Tide!!!</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2006/11/12/roll-tide-anyway/' rel='bookmark' title='Roll Tide, Anyway&#8230;'>Roll Tide, Anyway&#8230;</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2006/12/28/independence-bowl-today-roll-tide/' rel='bookmark' title='Independence Bowl Today &#8211; Roll Tide'>Independence Bowl Today &#8211; Roll Tide</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Now here&#8217;s a video that explains this whole Alabama vs LSU thing perfectly. It&#8217;s exactly how I feel about the situation.</p>
<p><iframe width="620" height="465" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/r8gijGN7ryc?fs=1&#038;feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p>
<p>I will be in Vegas on January 9th, I sure hope that Pepcom has TVs running at the event I will be at during this game. If they don&#8217;t, I am going to have to skip the event which would suck considering the Pepcom event is the best 3-4 hours of CES.</p>
<p>Oh, another thing about Bama to share, an Alabama theme for Windows Phone 7.</p>
<p><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/bamatheme.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-large wp-image-34223" title="bamatheme" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/bamatheme-360x600.jpg" alt="" width="360" height="600" /></a></p>
<p>Check out GottaBeMobile for <a href="http://www.gottabemobile.com/2011/12/23/my-windows-phone-app-of-the-week-wiztiles/" target="_blank">how I did this</a>. If are interested in getting a hold of this theme, just contact me.</p>
<BR><p><h3>Related posts:</h3><ol>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2008/03/13/roll-tide/' rel='bookmark' title='Roll Tide!!!'>Roll Tide!!!</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2006/11/12/roll-tide-anyway/' rel='bookmark' title='Roll Tide, Anyway&#8230;'>Roll Tide, Anyway&#8230;</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2006/12/28/independence-bowl-today-roll-tide/' rel='bookmark' title='Independence Bowl Today &#8211; Roll Tide'>Independence Bowl Today &#8211; Roll Tide</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<item>
		<title>Terrible Fantasy Football Day! Why?</title>
		<link>http://chrisleckness.com/2011/12/19/terrible-fantasy-football-day-why/</link>
		<comments>http://chrisleckness.com/2011/12/19/terrible-fantasy-football-day-why/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Mon, 19 Dec 2011 08:41:56 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rants]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fantasy Football]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fantasy Football playoffs]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FF]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://chrisleckness.com/?p=34210</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I was all excited. I have won Fantasy Football leagues several times, but never have I made it to the Playoffs in 6 leagues in the same year. I was...<BR>
<h3>Related posts:</h3><ol>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2011/09/02/which-fantasy-football-team-is-better/' rel='bookmark' title='Which Fantasy Football Team is better?'>Which Fantasy Football Team is better?</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2007/09/29/what-a-wild-college-football-day-week/' rel='bookmark' title='What a Wild College Football Day (Week)!'>What a Wild College Football Day (Week)!</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2006/11/28/this-is-alabama-football-good-grief/' rel='bookmark' title='This is Alabama Football &#8211; Good Grief'>This is Alabama Football &#8211; Good Grief</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I was all excited. I have won Fantasy Football leagues several times, but never have I made it to the Playoffs in 6 leagues in the same year. I was ready to collect a couple crowns. My best finish last year was 2nd after backing into a playoff spot as the lowest seed. I upset a couple teams and my luck ran out in the championship game. This year, out of 6 teams, there was no way I wasn&#8217;t going to win at least 1 right? I still have a chance in the same league I finished 2nd in last year since I had a bye today, but it&#8217;s not looking good for the other 5 teams. I am eliminated in a most of them and have a miracle chance in 2 of them.</p>
<p>Let&#8217;s break them down going into Monday. Even though I am embarrassed, here&#8217;s why today sucked. I made bad decisions and players that normally carry me well, sucked.</p>
<p><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ff1.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-34211" title="ff1" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ff1.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="454" /></a></p>
<p>I got hammered in this one. Jordy Nelson and Victor Cruz have been rocking it lately. They turned up pretty lame today. Aaron Hernadez hasn&#8217;t done squat lately, so I rolled with my backup since he&#8217;s done as well as Hernandez lately. I also made a huge mistake and rolled with Grossman since I was concerned about Big Ben&#8217;s high ankle sprain. With McFadden being out for the last month and half, I have been living and dying with Blount and CJnoK (Chris Johnson). Neither of the really stepped up today. I GOT SMOKED! I finished the regular season in this one 2nd after leading the league almost all year.</p>
<p><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ff2.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-34217" title="ff2" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ff2.jpg" alt="" width="589" height="441" /></a></p>
<p>I got beat here and other than going with Tony G over Hernandez, there wasn&#8217;t much I could do about it. If I rolled with Hernandez like I did most of the year, I would be up 9-10 points with the Steelers D left. I was the 4th seed in this league and the person I faced was dominant all year.</p>
<p><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ff3.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-34213" title="ff3" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ff3.jpg" alt="" width="590" height="441" /></a></p>
<p>This matchup, rolling the dice with another TE actually worked but Blount laying an egg killed me. I could have won this one! Watch Gore go for 200 and 2 TDs tomorrow night. I doubt it, that&#8217;s why I benched him.</p>
<p><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ff4.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-34214" title="ff4" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ff4.jpg" alt="" width="587" height="439" /></a></p>
<p>Oh Eli how do I love you, let me count the ways. Holy shit Eli, what have you done? An elite QB can score 4 points in their sleep. With all the injuries at RB (AP and Forte), I was happy to hear AP was going today. He didn&#8217;t go far though. I don&#8217;t think anyone would play DeAngelo over AP. Don&#8217;t hate. I figured Eli would outperform Cam this week. A miracle by Antonio Brown is the only way to save this matchup.</p>
<p><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ff5.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-34215" title="ff5" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/ff5.jpg" alt="" width="975" height="936" /></a></p>
<p>I rocked this league all year. I was 2nd and a strong favorite to meet up with<a href="https://twitter.com/#!/skipdeez" target="_blank"> Matt Aker</a>s of Windows Phone fame for the championship. That&#8217;s not gonna happen now. I got shellshocked. This is a 16 team league and talent is thin. I drafted Freeman thinking he&#8217;d have a good year. I was wrong!  There was little I could do to win this week, my players just didn&#8217;t perform. I almost rolled with Shonn Greene over AP, wouldn&#8217;t have mattered.</p>
<p>Well, I have one more league and it&#8217;s a money league. Wish me luck.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<BR><p><h3>Related posts:</h3><ol>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2011/09/02/which-fantasy-football-team-is-better/' rel='bookmark' title='Which Fantasy Football Team is better?'>Which Fantasy Football Team is better?</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2007/09/29/what-a-wild-college-football-day-week/' rel='bookmark' title='What a Wild College Football Day (Week)!'>What a Wild College Football Day (Week)!</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2006/11/28/this-is-alabama-football-good-grief/' rel='bookmark' title='This is Alabama Football &#8211; Good Grief'>This is Alabama Football &#8211; Good Grief</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Hey @SamsungSupport and @SamsungTweets, What is this?</title>
		<link>http://chrisleckness.com/2011/12/04/hey-samsungsupport-and-samsungtweets-what-is-this/</link>
		<comments>http://chrisleckness.com/2011/12/04/hey-samsungsupport-and-samsungtweets-what-is-this/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Sun, 04 Dec 2011 22:52:07 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Commentary]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Rants]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[LED TV]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Samsung 55" LED]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Samsung LED]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Samsung TV]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://chrisleckness.com/?p=34117</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[I was out working in the yard when my son called me in freaking out that our brand new Samsung 55&#8243; LED that I wasted 7 hours at Best Buy...<BR>
<h3>Related posts:</h3><ol>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2010/11/21/my-top-5-att-phones-1120/' rel='bookmark' title='My Top 5 AT&amp;T Phones &#8211; 11/20'>My Top 5 AT&#038;T Phones &#8211; 11/20</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2008/03/31/march-madness-sucks/' rel='bookmark' title='March Madness Sucks'>March Madness Sucks</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2010/12/05/chris-top-5-smart-phones-1/' rel='bookmark' title='Chris&#8217; Top 5 Smart Phones #1'>Chris&#8217; Top 5 Smart Phones #1</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I was out working in the yard when my son called me in freaking out that our brand new Samsung 55&#8243; LED that I wasted 7 hours at Best Buy on Black Friday was acting wonky. When I came inside the TV was indeed wonky. The picture was like it had some sort of Photoshop filter on it. We changed channels, nothing changed. We changed sources from sattelite to Xbox 360, same thing. It did clear when I turned the TV on and off but really, should a less than 2 week old TV do that?</p>
<p>Here&#8217;s what it looked like (Taken with the Samsung Galaxy SII Skyrocket btw):</p>
<p><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/20111204_162300.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-34118 alignnone" title="20111204_162300" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/20111204_162300.jpg" alt="" width="423" height="317" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/20111204_162306.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-34119" title="20111204_162306" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/20111204_162306.jpg" alt="" width="423" height="317" /></a></p>
<p><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/20111204_162309.jpg"><img class="alignnone size-full wp-image-34120" title="20111204_162309" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/20111204_162309.jpg" alt="" width="423" height="317" /></a></p>
<p>I hope it was an isolated incident. You guys should send me an unlocked (GSM) Galaxy Nexus&#8230;</p>
<BR><p><h3>Related posts:</h3><ol>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2010/11/21/my-top-5-att-phones-1120/' rel='bookmark' title='My Top 5 AT&amp;T Phones &#8211; 11/20'>My Top 5 AT&#038;T Phones &#8211; 11/20</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2008/03/31/march-madness-sucks/' rel='bookmark' title='March Madness Sucks'>March Madness Sucks</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2010/12/05/chris-top-5-smart-phones-1/' rel='bookmark' title='Chris&#8217; Top 5 Smart Phones #1'>Chris&#8217; Top 5 Smart Phones #1</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		</item>
		<item>
		<title>Which Fantasy Football Team is better?</title>
		<link>http://chrisleckness.com/2011/09/02/which-fantasy-football-team-is-better/</link>
		<comments>http://chrisleckness.com/2011/09/02/which-fantasy-football-team-is-better/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Fri, 02 Sep 2011 14:51:57 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Sports]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[2011 Fantasy Football]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fantasy Draft]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Fantasy Football]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[FF]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://chrisleckness.com/?p=34098</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[So, I decided to sign up for a couple of the NFL.com NFL Experience Fantasy Football leagues. These leagues have 10 teams and the winner wins an autographed football. The...<BR>
<h3>Related posts:</h3><ol>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2006/11/28/this-is-alabama-football-good-grief/' rel='bookmark' title='This is Alabama Football &#8211; Good Grief'>This is Alabama Football &#8211; Good Grief</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2009/09/07/what-a-wonderful-weekend-of-football/' rel='bookmark' title='What a WONDERFUL WEEKEND of Football!!!'>What a WONDERFUL WEEKEND of Football!!!</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2008/09/29/i-have-held-my-tongue-for-a-long-time/' rel='bookmark' title='I have held my tongue for a long time&#8230;'>I have held my tongue for a long time&#8230;</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>So, I decided to sign up for a couple of the NFL.com NFL Experience Fantasy Football leagues. These leagues have 10 teams and the winner wins an autographed football.</p>
<p>The league set up is 1 QB, 2 RB, 2 WR, 1 TE, 1 Flex (WR/RB), 1 Kicker, and 1 defense. QBs get 4pts for a TD and other offensive players get 6. There is no PPR either.</p>
<p>I am doing 2 leagues and got very similar line ups in both of them. I feel I did very well based on some owners have team biases, Chris Johnson holding out, etc.</p>
<p>Which team do you like best?</p>
<p><strong>Tuscaloosa Tide 5</strong><br />
QB &#8211; Philip Rivers<br />
RB &#8211; Matt Forte<br />
RB &#8211; Adrian Peterson<br />
WR &#8211; Dez Bryant<br />
WR &#8211; Mike Williams (Tampa Bay)<br />
TE &#8211; Brandon Pettigrew<br />
Flex &#8211; DeAngelo Williams<br />
K &#8211; Alex Henery<br />
Def &#8211; Baltimore Ravens<br />
Bench &#8211; Eli Manning QB/NYG, Ronnie Brown RB/PHI, Donald Driver WR/GB, Devery Henderson WR/NO, Mike Sims-Walker WR/STL, Kellen Winslow TE/TB</p>
<p><strong>Tuscaloosa Tide 6</strong><br />
QB &#8211; Philip Rivers<br />
RB &#8211; Chris Johnson<br />
RB &#8211; LeSean McCoy<br />
WR &#8211; Marques Colston<br />
WR &#8211; Miles Austin<br />
TE &#8211; Dallas Clark<br />
Flex &#8211; DeAngelo Williams<br />
K &#8211; Alex Henery<br />
Def &#8211; New Orleans Saints<br />
Bench &#8211; Eli Manning QB/NYG, Ronnie Brown RB/PHI, Roy Helu RB/Was, Jonny Knox WR/CHI, Mike Sims-Walker WR/STL, Dustin Keller TE/NYJ</p>
<p>As you can see, both teams are very similar in makeup and even players. Which team do you think is strongest? I am liking Tuscaloosa Tide 6 more based mainly on the better receivers while still having good running backs.</p>
<BR><p><h3>Related posts:</h3><ol>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2006/11/28/this-is-alabama-football-good-grief/' rel='bookmark' title='This is Alabama Football &#8211; Good Grief'>This is Alabama Football &#8211; Good Grief</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2009/09/07/what-a-wonderful-weekend-of-football/' rel='bookmark' title='What a WONDERFUL WEEKEND of Football!!!'>What a WONDERFUL WEEKEND of Football!!!</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2008/09/29/i-have-held-my-tongue-for-a-long-time/' rel='bookmark' title='I have held my tongue for a long time&#8230;'>I have held my tongue for a long time&#8230;</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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		<title>Tuscaloosa Tornado Experience</title>
		<link>http://chrisleckness.com/2011/04/28/tuscaloosa-tornado-experience/</link>
		<comments>http://chrisleckness.com/2011/04/28/tuscaloosa-tornado-experience/#comments</comments>
		<pubDate>Thu, 28 Apr 2011 16:42:25 +0000</pubDate>
		<dc:creator>Chris</dc:creator>
				<category><![CDATA[Commentary]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Featured]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Personal]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tuscaloosa]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Tuscaloosa Tornado]]></category>

		<guid isPermaLink="false">http://chrisleckness.com/?p=34028</guid>
		<description><![CDATA[So, I live in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I grew up here and moved away for 9 years while I was in the US Navy. Shortly after returning to Tuscaloosa, I was...<BR>
<h3>Related posts:</h3><ol>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2008/03/23/atlanta-tornado-picture/' rel='bookmark' title='Atlanta Tornado Picture'>Atlanta Tornado Picture</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2007/09/22/open-letter-to-espn-stay-out-of-tuscaloosa/' rel='bookmark' title='Open Letter to ESPN &#8211; Stay out of TUSCALOOSA!!!'>Open Letter to ESPN &#8211; Stay out of TUSCALOOSA!!!</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2010/07/27/selling-harley-sony-dlsr-and-more-soon/' rel='bookmark' title='Selling Harley, Sony DLSR, and more soon!'>Selling Harley, Sony DLSR, and more soon!</a></li>
</ol>]]></description>
			<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/tmain.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-34034  alignright" style="margin-top: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 15px; margin-right: 15px;" title="Nasty Tornado" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/tmain-300x225.jpg" alt="" width="240" height="180" /></a></p>
<p>So, I live in Tuscaloosa, Alabama. I grew up here and moved away for 9 years while I was in the US Navy. Shortly after returning to Tuscaloosa, I was working for Bellsouth as an outside tech when one of the worst Tornadoes that ever came through Tuscaloosa hit. It happened down in the area I currently live in, the 69 south area. Luckily, I didn&#8217;t live there at the time. Working for Bellsouth, we worked long hours for quite some time getting things fixed up out there. It was the 7th most deadly tornado in Alabama history until yesterday. The one that hit Tuscaloosa yesterday, along with tornadoes in Cordova and Phil Campbell, knocked that Dec 2000 tornado down to 10th on the list. Yesterday&#8217;s tornado in Tuscaloosa is no tied for #1 as the most deadly tornado in Alabama history according to <a href="http://www.alabamawx.com/?p=47077" target="_blank">ABC 33/40&#8242;s Weather blog</a>. This is likely to change to a standalone #1 spot after the death toll is final. This is scary and sad and has my wife ready to move away from Tuscaloosa.</p>
<p>Almost 2 weeks ago, our neigborhood was hit with another tornado that destroyed my kids batting cage and swing set. It damaged several other things including my roof. I still have a large tarp covering most of my roof while I wait on State Farm to come out to look at it.</p>
<div id="attachment_34030" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/t1.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-34030" title="The Lake" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/t1-300x168.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="168" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">My son&#39;s swing set all crumpled up!</p></div>
<div id="attachment_34031" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/t2.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-34031" title="The Cage" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/t2-300x168.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="168" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Mother Nature doesn&#39;t want us to have this...</p></div>
<div id="attachment_34029" class="wp-caption alignnone" style="width: 310px"><a href="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/t3.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-34029" title="Some of my roof damage" src="http://chrisleckness.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/t3-300x168.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="168" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">This is part of my roof damage</p></div>
<p>2 weeks ago, I was not home and when power went out and I was an hour away (in Greensboro, Al) without any contact with my wife and kids, I was terrified. I heard on the radio that a tornado hit down near Shelton State and my heart dropped. I was able to get home and luckily nobody was injured and we only had damage to our home.</p>
<p>Yesterday, I happened to be off work taking care of some plumbing issues. Luckily we didn&#8217;t have any damage or scare really. I was outside watching the sky when the devastating twister dropped into the middle of town. I think I have the tornado on video from afar, but was unable to check it out yet since we were out power until 5am today.</p>
<p>Thanks to all my friends and family that reached out via Twitter, Facebook, and text messages to see that we were ok. It really feels good to know that so many care. Thanks!</p>
<p>Sad times for many in Tuscaloosa today. I urge anyone that wants to donate to the Red Cross to do so. Thanks to Greg McElroy for <a href="http://twitter.com/#!/GVMcElroy/status/63602500388921345" target="_blank">tweeting info</a> on how to help today too!</p>
<p><strong>Here are some scary videos of yesterday&#8217;s twisters:</strong></p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRGkCZmjVXI"><img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/FRGkCZmjVXI/2.jpg"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRGkCZmjVXI">Click here</a> to view the video on YouTube.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ohIVzIZLuQ"><img src="http://img.youtube.com/vi/5ohIVzIZLuQ/2.jpg"></a></p>
<p><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ohIVzIZLuQ">Click here</a> to view the video on YouTube.</p>

<p>&nbsp;</p>

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<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>For some ABC 33/40 Viewer photos, check out <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/abc3340weather/show/" target="_blank">this slide show</a>.</p>
<p>The Crimson White has a <a href="http://cw.ua.edu/2011/04/28/list-of-damaged-and-destroyed-buildings/" target="_blank">list of confirmed buildings that are damaged or destroyed</a>. Milo&#8217;s, one of my favorites is destroyed. Click the link to see what buildings they have confirmed as damaged, here&#8217;s their list of destroyed buildings:</p>
<ul>
<li>Forest Lake houses</li>
<li>Smoothie King</li>
<li>Honey Baked Ham</li>
<li>Express Oil Change</li>
<li>Steakout</li>
<li>Milo’s</li>
<li>Krispy Kreme</li>
<li>Replays</li>
</ul>
<p>I wanted to cruise by that area last night to check it out myself, but I just couldn&#8217;t bring myself into being &#8220;that guy&#8221;. I didn&#8217;t want to get in the way of rescue workers and other crews. I probably won&#8217;t get over there for a few days in fact. I did visit the Regions in the University Mall parking lot a few hours before it was hit. I sure hope the check I deposited was entered into the computer before.</p>
<p>Thanks again to everyone that checked in on us and please pray for those affected by this terrible tornado.</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<BR><p><h3>Related posts:</h3><ol>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2008/03/23/atlanta-tornado-picture/' rel='bookmark' title='Atlanta Tornado Picture'>Atlanta Tornado Picture</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2007/09/22/open-letter-to-espn-stay-out-of-tuscaloosa/' rel='bookmark' title='Open Letter to ESPN &#8211; Stay out of TUSCALOOSA!!!'>Open Letter to ESPN &#8211; Stay out of TUSCALOOSA!!!</a></li>
<li><a href='http://chrisleckness.com/2010/07/27/selling-harley-sony-dlsr-and-more-soon/' rel='bookmark' title='Selling Harley, Sony DLSR, and more soon!'>Selling Harley, Sony DLSR, and more soon!</a></li>
</ol></p>]]></content:encoded>
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