Five Notable Homecoming Celebrations

High school and college Homecomings are awesome and one of the best parts about the Fall season. My high school still needs to catch up (beginning of September, really?). My college finally has it together. However, many are just masters of it and make it so epic not only do other classes show up, people that didn't even attend the schools show up and out.

1. GHOE

I've been and it lives up to it's name.  Some of you may swap this and the next one. But North Carolina AT&T has stepped up and made this the envy of Homecomings. HBCUs always add special flavor but it appears A&T went after the super hots. I may have to fit in another visit in a year or two.

2. Hampton University. 

Another HBCU, Hampton once had the belt, crown and chain. They are still good, hype and classic. However, like many schools, some of the alums have let A&T take over some. It is still no slouch at #2 as it is in an awesome area where you could plan a Fall vacation around.

3. Gaffney High

Outside of football, you all haven't seen me put Gaffney high on many lists. Well they happen to own high school Homecomings so much that I had to put them ahead of one other notable HBCU Homecoming. I'm telling you, the class reunions and the day assembly is like no other. This tight knit community goes all out when it's Homecoming/reunion time. I'm still a Wildcat for life, but Gaffney has made Homecoming as much of a tradition as they have football.

4. SC State.

State has and will always hold their own in the Homecoming wars. Back when I was a student at WU, many of us would go to their Homecoming since ours was in the Winter and just wasn't that lit then. They have the same elements that the others have: great bands, concerts, a great time, and oooh the women! Many in our area have relatives old and young that attended there that have built quite a tradition to keep up with your alma mater.

5. Da WU!

Yep I can finally put Winthrop University in the upper echelon of school Homecomings. Once alums stepped in, it was game on. And now it's in the Fall where it belongs and class reunions are becoming more of a thing as well. It's no longer about mundane receptions or organizations, just a good three day weekend of fun leading into the Thanksgiving and December holidays. Better get there early or you will be left  behind!

Honorable mention: CIAA, and the Florence County schools ( I see you guys!)

TV spoilers are definitely not over

Yes there are no shows such as Power, Scandal, Game of Thrones or any big Netflix special on. However spoiler alerts will still be around because some folks feel the urge to post or talk at any given moment. Here are some shows that people still will spoil, many premiering this week. 

1. 911

It actually premieres tonight, 2 hour premiere. Awesome, surprise hit from FOX. The spoiler police have to out just as the real police is, especially with my boo Angela Bassett on it.

2. This is Us.

The show that gives folks a good cry is also full of spoilers as you really don't want to get behind. Guess what, it premieres on Tuesday. If you can't watch it at its scheduled time, you may want to hide the spoil sports.

3. Insecure.

I'm not a fan of HBO's current hit but many are. And it's still spinning off the summer with spoilers everywhere.

4. Empire

Premiering soon at a later time slot, people are really into the drama of it and can't help but have those "OMG" and "Holy Crap" moments.

5. The big reality shows (Big Brother, Survivor, America's Got Talent).

People will continue to watch in awe and have their faves far as who they want to win it all. They may not be so friendly if you notify them that their person is gone. 

Be kind with the spoilers this season. Many still want to find out for themselves what happens.

Forgotten TV sitcom/series neighbors.

Fall TV is beginning, and it's usually an exciting time.  Old favorites return, new ones are released and could be classics. Either way, I'm ready.

I have seem some countdowns for favorite TV neighbors. I have seen the common choices: Wilson, Barney Rubble, Urkel, Ray's parents. However, I have some you may have not known about or forgotten.

1. Cosmo Kramer

C'mon, which neighbor never knocks, always makes a mess, and is always extra. He was the heartbeat of Seinfeld and funny in his own right. He was like Tommy from Martin, in that no one knew exactly what he did for money, but it couldn't have been legal.

2. The King Of the Hill bunch.

Hank Hill was blessed to live on the same block with his lifelong friends Dale, Bill, Boomhauer and even Laotian immigrant Kahn. Boomhauer seems to be the fave but I like Dale's eccentric nature and of course Kahn was always mad about something.

3. Willona!

Let's be honest, sexy Willona Woods was Kramer way before Kramer. She was always snooping on the Evans family and later took on the matriarch role when she adopted Penny and Florida left for a season. Shoot I wish I had a neighbor like Willona!

4. Lou Ferrigno

I mean, really Doug from King of Queens, you live next door to the Hulk. They seem to downplay it at times as he became one of the guys and someone Arthur was always bugging.  Lou acted soft on the show, being addicted to video games and whining about the Hulk jokes from the guys.  Umm dude you're the strongest guy in the neighborhood.

5. Lenny and Squiggy.

Hello! These two literally followed Laverne and Shirley everywhere, even to California. In true Willona/Kramer style, they always seem to bust in on queue, begging the question if anyone locks their doors?

6. Glenn Quaqmire

Yeah Peter has Joe and Cleveland. But Quaqmire is that guy that has the best adventures and storylines.  Giggity giggity all right!

7. The Donahues

Many of you are discovering The Middle now. The Donahues are that goody goody, nice, perfect family, the polar opposite of the Hecks. They are annoying nice and helpful but won't let your house get robbed on vacation nor miss the first day of school. 

Preparing For The Worst, Praying For The Best

This is not a bad philosophy for life and this is a philosophy the Carolinas are preparing for as we may have our biggest storm since Hurricane Hugo in 1989.

Or, we could simply have a lot of wind and rain as the storm may loop around and head upwards. 

Either way, it pays to be prepared.

Have plenty of water and other drinks. Keep non perishables that you can easily travel with if necessary and if the power goes out.

Have a storm shelter or place to evacuate to.

Keep up with different forecasts, but don't dwell on it. Pray, don't worry and be ready!

Hurricane Florence could do damage but remember what is insured and what is valued. Of course #1 is the lives of yourself and your loved ones.

These typically come to the South every late summer since we're only 3 hours from the coast. Failing to plan is planning to fail.

You can be prepared also!

These Dumb Rules

We have to have rules as a society for it to run effectively or the society will perish. Then everyone will basically be on a purge.

However, that being said, some of these made up rules are outrageous and left field smh. Who makes these up?

It's bad enough that many of the rules on the books are terribly outdated.  Now there are not only "rules" as to what you can say to something or what you can call them, there are rules on what and how to post on social media, how to look at a person, how to eat a certain food. Stop right here, geesh! We do have freedoms and the main thing we need is common sense to address all of these.

My favorite rule of all time comes from my high school agriculture teacher Mr. Bill Parker. It goes "allow common sense and reason to be your guide and act the way you want to be treated." Obvious rules aside, that's all you basically need. There is no use for some of these ridiculous guidelines.

I just saw where supposedly profanity is prohibited at Myrtle and Virginia Beach, both hot travel spots. See this is really digging deep.

Once common sense and judgment are removed from an area, you have lots of problems. All the rules in the world will not solve them either. 

Most importantly, let's love each other again. It's been a while since I have truly seen this.

WiseFire Coffee: Drink Wisely

Blacksburg, SC is a small town going through a lot of transition. A new football stadium is finally being constructed, the town has a new mayor for the first time since the early 90s, and we have some burgeoning small businesses.

One of which is Wisefire Coffee. This coffee house is owned and operated by Thomas Dover. Despite the last name, I don't think we're related. He certainly makes you feel like you're family. He has Blacksburg ties and brings that sense of family values and caring into his shop.

He has some awesome drinks, from lattes made from Uganda beans, some of the most potent you can find. He takes very care in preparing your beverage, whether hot or cold, coffee or tea. He wants it to be the best you're going to have.

Also, Dover realizes he has to have a great business, atmosphere and conversation. He nails all three and more. You can stop by and engage him about local and national issues, and even see what's going on in the town now and in the past. He's becoming more involved in helping out the town improve and regain its proud presence. He is also learning, as a business and as an owner, so Dover is very open to feedback.

Drop by Wisefire sometime and even if you don't like coffee, tea, or even books, see what he and his family are doing to better Blacksburg. He has had open mics and game nights in the past. Furthermore, he has some good plans and ideas for the rest of the year. Stay tuned for more from this small business and owner.

Mind Ya Business

People can't seem to stop worrying about each other when they need to worry about themselves.

They steady wait on them to mess up, quick to criticize but slow to praise. I pretty much know who these folks are. There are some that suprise you though. 

They throw dirt on your name, tell lies and spread continuous gossip. Maan you must be badder than Donald Glover if they're doing all of that.

Recognize who they are, and distance them quickly.  Don't become part of the circus and entertain the clowns.

Own up to when you are wrong but stay confident and powerful when you're right.
Be open, forgiving, respectful and loving. We definitely could use more love and courtesy. Some people are just miserable for no reason. 

Also, don't try the quiet, nice ones. They may not blow up your school or such but they are tougher than you think.

Let's live and love more and end the divide.