Severe Weather Warning!

SEVERE THUNDERSTORM WATCH 255 IN EFFECT UNTIL 10 PM EDT THIS EVENING
Warning Issue Date: 349 PM EDT WED APR 26 2006Warning Expiration: 415 PM EDT WED APR 26 2006The national weather service in charleston has issued a
* tornado warning for... Charleston county in southeast south carolina
* until 415 pm edt
* at 344 pm edt...National weather service doppler radar indicated a severe thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado near johns island...Or about 10 miles west of charleston...Moving east at 25 mph.
* some locations in or near the path of the storm include... Johns island... West ashley... James island... Downtown charleston... Mount pleasant and sullivans island...
A tornado May form at Any time. Take cover now. Abandon mobile homes and vehicles. Move to an interior room or hallway on the lowest floor. Stay away from windows.
To report severe weather only...Please contact the national weather service in charleston toll free at 1-888-383-2024.

College of Charleston defeats Wofford 6 to 1

Special Bushido Posting from Teske's Queen's Court abode: After my earlier post, I decided to thrown on my Maroons (Cougar polo, gray Coug t-shirt and khaki shorts, w/BoSox hat) to catch the ball game, just after the rain delay. The Cougars turned up the heat despite rain drizzle every 5 minutes. The 17th ranked Cougars won today 6-1. The Cougars are 32-9, 14-3 in the SoCon. Austin Redwine was handed the loss for the Terriers. Humorous remarks by the announcers on ETV, "Redwine just a bit outside missing the corner". Sorry, everytime I hear those famous words from Major League, I have to include them.

The Dugout
Graham Godfrey pitched a strong 7 1/3 innings, allowed 5 hits, 1-run and earned 8 strike-outs. Josh McLaughlin got the save. Larry Cobb had 3 hits, including singles in the 5th & 7th innings, and a game clinching triple off of the left field wall in the 8th inning, scoring Graham Maiden, Clay McCord and Joey Friddle. The final out game, CofC catcher, Alex Garibedian, picked off Wood at first after the pitch. After the game, I caught the Cougars softball team bring home a win, more on that later.

Queen's Court posting on Rodeo Drive
After the game, I stopped Teske's on Queen's Court for some guitar, Deadliest Catch and Cougar Sports talk. His lap top is rolling, hence the opportunity to post from the Mt. Pleasant 'bureau'. We did get to catch the Vladimir "Steel Fist" Klitschko rematch with Chris Byrd. Byrd went down twice during the 7 round fight called after Byrd's eye would not quit bleeding. Screamed Byrd's wife Tracy from ringside, "Chris move your head!"-No sch-crap lady, now shut the blankety, blank up. I am trying to not get hit here. Whoops, too late.

Baseball Tonight: The Riverdogs are playing Kannapolis tonight, 7:05 @ the Joe. The Cougars will face Wofford tomorrow, 1:00 pm at Patriot's Point.

College of Charleston Softball

Since I was at Patriot's Point, I decided to poke my head next door, err next diamond, into the College of Charleston v Furman softball game. I know what you all are thinking? Yes, Indeed, we have a very attractive team, especially compared to Furman. God bless the College of Charleston. I digress; despite being easy on the eyes and their .500 record of 25-25, the Cougars can play. They lost the first game of the double-header 1 to 0. Amber Havnar who allowed 1-run, and fanned two batters, is credited with the loss.

Cougs prevail in the second leg of the double-header
But the Cougs won the second game 3-0. Shannon Howard threw a 2-hit shutout boosting her average to .500, 13-13. Btw, I am not sure if Ms. Howard decided to bottle-out to the blonde side recently, but she looks nothing like her roster picture in person. 3rd baseman, Izmena (Ice) Cabrera went 3 for 4, (.278) showing a perfect line of defense at the hot corner. Short-stop, Jessica Lyness went 1 for 3, with a RBI. Jessica caught an ear full from the Coach for not taking 2nd on an overthrow in the dust of her RBI, but I disagree with the coach. 2nd base is where all the action was and I think she saved an out. Although my girl Shlick didn't get a hit in the second game, she did go 1 for 2 in the first game. She had good cuts on the ball, and a few fouls over the fence, but came up short, striking out both times she was at the plate. That's right folks, Shondra Schlichenmayer beats out CofC catcher Alex Garabedian as the Bushido's player of the week. (See photo) I am not biased here because Shlick is better looking; I am judging on defensive and offensive merits only.
Golden moments
I did have a chance to meet with Jennifer Golden's Dad, Chris, who gave me the run down about Jennifer. An Atlanta native (Conyers), She is a transfer student from Texas A&M, having left after Coach Missy Phillips left the Aggies. CofC heard she was considering transferring and entertained her enough to ink a scholarship to play for the College. While I was talking to her Dad, she smacked a double, so I guess we need to give a ceremonial bow to the CofC recruiting department. Chris did put the Bushido on the spot when he asked me if I was dating one of the girls on the team-I wish. No, I am just the supportive alum, or dirty old man, take your pick.

Next up
The Cougars will play the 3rd game in the SoCon series with Furman tomorrow at 1 pm.

The Strokes Tickets for the Plex go on sale this morning @ 10:00 am

Tickets for the Strokes show May 25th, at the Plex in North Charleston go on sale today @ 10:00 am. Go to Etix.com or call (843) 225-PLEX to get yours before they are gone. Tickets are selling for $27.50 per. For those of you in North Carolina. The Strokes will play at the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium @ 8:00 pm the next day, Friday, May 26, 2006. If you haven't heard any radio play of the songs from The Strokes new album, First Impressions of Earth, you need to check it out. Click here for the index to "Juicebox" and "Heart in a Cage".

Playboy's Top Ten Party Schools for 2006

Playboy's 2006 Top Ten Party Schools

1. University of Wisconsin, Madison-best party-Halloween bash on State St. attended by 100,000; alum of note-John Simensen
   
2. UC Santa Barbara-campus sits on 989 acres of Pacific coastline-need I say more? alum of note-Michael Douglas-his new movie comes out today!
   
3. Arizona State-voted the hottest female student body in America (College of Charleston ranked 2nd)
   
4. Indiana-Playboy calls this school a "drinking school with a basketball problem".
   
5. San Diego State-best party-Sigma Chi's annual Reggae sunsplash
   
6. Florida State-best party-Florida v Florida State football game
   
7. Ohio University-best party-Halloween block party in Athens, aka Mardi Gras of the Mid-West
   
8. Georgia-largest outdoor cocktail party in the world, need I say more? Fine; Flanigans and the Firehouse to take the sting of climbing the hills around town
   
9. Tennessee-pre-football game boating w/the "Volunteer" Navy
   
10. McGill-what the hell Hef? This school is located in Quebec? I don't care if William Shatner went there, or that chicks speak the lingo of love there. I want the American list? Not the Canadian list!
    

General John Rosa installed as the Citadel's 19th President

Today Lt. General John Rosen (Citadel Class of 1973) will be installed today as the Citadel's 19th President 11:00 am @ the McAlister Field House. Rosa actually began his new position in January after retiring from his last post-leading the Air Force Academy through a very delicate and challenging time period.
Party like its' 1842!
The Citadel Library (Daniel Library for you "knob-knowledge" purists) will have a photo collection of General Rossa's cadet career on the third floor. You will have the chance to see the General leading the Bulldogs on the gridiron wearing the #14. The Bushido gives a sacred bow to the General for aspiring to the position of 1 and a gun his senior year! The Inaugural celebration will conclude with a Dress Parade at 14:30 hours, on the Parade Deck in his honor.

The pleasure was all mine
I had the pleasure of meeting General Rossa at the Citadel Stray Dog Society dinner in his honor; I have to admit I was quite impressed. The General, also, was impressed with the Bushido's entrance to the Charleston Yacht Club, 007 style-arriving via boat, riding on the "Knot Tied Yet" with fellow "penguins" Dr. Vallini, Lt. Kirby Baker, and Mr. B. I digress; I was quite taken back with one figure the General gave during his speech which outlined his plan for the Citadel's future development and how to keep the school relevant. What figure am I referring to? Last year, 20,000 classes were cut. I know Craig Blackmon was there last year, but still, that figure seems high. Regardless, General Rossa is polished, intelligent, experienced and loves the Citadel. In fact, he just spent $80,000 to send his son there.

My weekly what the F???
Tell me which one of these names recently elected to the Citadel Alumni Assoc Membership Committee doesn't look like the other: Kevin M. Elmore, ’74; Nancy R. Mace-Jackson, ’00; Dr. William S. Stafford, ’78; William L. Yaeger, ’83. Now, I hate to bring this up, but is someone still riding on Daddy's coat-tails? QQQQQqqqq!!!

What is the opposite of a masogynist?
Normally I wouldn't even bring this up, because 1) women are part of the Corps, 2) I am neither a Citadel graduate, nor part of the Corps. But I found this information from the CAA meeting in January. That's right Cadets, the Bushido still never sleeps!
"Nancy R. Mace-Jackson, ’00, president of the Atlanta Citadel Club and district director representing Citadel clubs outside of South Carolina, requested a CAA policy statement regarding the Stray Dogs Society. The all-male organization is seeking to increase membership and has contacted area clubs to enlist their support. The perception is that the CAA is endorsing this group. The overwhelming Board consensus was that the CAA should not be affiliated with this group either directly or indirectly. To clarify the CAA’s stance on the issue, the Executive Committee will draft a policy statement to present at the April meeting, and Mr. Rogers was asked to remove his name as the group’s advisor."
I am not sure if Mr. Rogers exercised the CAA's request, mums the word; but he may or may not have been sitting at the table with me at the aforementioned black-tie event. Rogers is a hero, a veteran and served the country as an FBI agent for twenty years. (He may have not extended the Bushido a proper bon voyage as I left the long gray line, but no hard feelings. Any friend of Olie, is a friend of mine.) Nancy, as far as I am concerned, he outranks both you and your twinkle, twinkle little star Daddy. And I am not sure how you landed the president position in Atlanta, especially considering that there are more qualified and successful Citadel Alums in Atlanta (i.e. Ted Turner's boys-Beau and Teddy, as well as Georgia's gas King Tom Stikeleather). Seriously, I am scratching my head here. All I can think of is Cadet-Recruit Mace with her Daddy in Jenkins' Hall, her half-a@@ knob haircut, no bracing or a 4th class system, just carrying her skin-flute in the march of the Q's and now here she is all grown up with her CAA position. Are you thinking what I am thinking? That's right, what the F?

Kannapolis Intimidates the Riverdogs!!!

The Charleston Riverdogs had their doors blown clean off (9 to 3) by the Kannapolis Intimidators on their return home for Thirsty Thursday. Dale looked down from Heaven smiling on his catcher Francisco Hernandez who went long for a two-run home run and drove home four runs. Three different Kannapolis pitchers (wonder kids) combined their powers to strike-out 16 batters as the Kannapolis Intimidators took home the checkered flag at the Joe.

Game 2 of this 4 game series commences today at 10:35 am to celebrate Charleston County Education Day. The Riverdogs web-site expects 5,000 students from 45 different schools will attend the game. Hey kids, I am available to fill a chaperone position-sick-day, to catch a ball game in the morning.

The Raconteurs

The new Indie-Super group consisting of Greenhornes bassist Jack Lawrence and drummer Patrick Keeler, Brendan Benson on guitar with Jack White on guitar and vocals called The Raconteurs is pretty "steady as she goes". The Raconteurs first album "Broken Boy Soldiers" on the Third Man Records label is remniscent of previous hits by White with the Stripes and his contemplation w/ Keeler and Lawrence on Loretta Lynn's "Van Lear Rose".

What is a Raconteur? Old Man Webster calls it "a person who excels in telling anecdotes." The Bushido defines it as the birth of a sh-crap hot, new Indie band. If you want to check out their AOL podcasts featuring acoustic tracks of "Blue Veins", "Yellow Sun" and "Steady as She Goes", click here.

Link Notes: The first link is for the band's MySpace, the second is for their video. The third link takes you directly to their old school Commodore (computer) styled web-site. The final link is for the AOL podcasts studio.

Drew Meyer called to the big leagues

Former Bishop England and USC standout Drew Meyer got the call from AAA ball to the big leagues. Meyer will play for the Rangers and should start today against the Mariners. Update: Meyer didn't play today, but he may start against Tampa Bay tomorrow.

Andre Bauer's lead foot

There is much talk around Columbia regarding our Lt. Governor Andre Bauer and his heavy right foot. Many of the Republican standard bearers think Bauer's decisions on the road are an embarrassment to the Party. Despite the critics, Bauer plans to run for reelection and will file for the June 13th Primary.

Drop the Hammer
'SC2' (Bauer's handle) radioed the state trooper on March 29th to tell the officer that he was not a threat, but he was simply running late. Bauer was racing his SC#2 black Ford Victoria against the blue-light Chester County Ford Victoria both sponsored by the State of South Carolina. The #2 car was stopped on I-77 clocked at 101 mph in a 70 mph zone. (Normal punishment for this offense is $75 to $200 and/or 30 days in jail.) Bauer has two previous offenses: May 2003 Bauer was busted running red octagons and speeding through Cola; December 26, 2005 Bauer broke the 80 mark on I-385 in Laurens County.
In closing
I am going to throw my cards against Andre Bauer here. I realize this is NASCAR country and we all (including the white-knuckle drivers here at the Bushido) push the limits of the white and black signs. But hey, Bauer should pay the fines just like the rest of us. If I can give one piece of advice to SC#2, don't speed through Mt. Pleasant; they don't care who the heck you are in that town. (Photo compliments of The State newspaper)

Happy Easter

Happy Easter! Photo compliments of the AP/Jason Reed

Braves win second game against the Padres 2-0

It took John Smoltz just 2hours and 9 minutes to complete his 16th career shutout, allowing only 4 hits, giving away 2 walks and notching 4 strikeouts. This was the 1st complete game since June 25, 2005 for Smoltz. Although the win will go under Smoltzie's stats, we can't help to give a tip of the hat to the Braves defense led by 8-time Golden Glover recipient Andruw Jones. The only Padre to make it to third base was the man dueling with Smoltz on the mound, Jeff Peavy. Adam LaRoche went long ball in the second inning, giving the Braves a 1-0 lead. In the 7th inning, Andruw Jones was hit by Peavy; after two steps down the line-up, Jeff Francour hit a single RBI to give the Braves a 2-0 lead. (Photo compliments of AP/John Bazemore)

Former Red Sox, Edgar Renteria was injured in the 6th inning with a left rib-cage sprain. Renteria's bat will be missed (Renteria had a 12-game hit streak.) Tony Pena took Renteria's spot at short, but he grounded out in his first Major League at bat. This adds to our Braves' injured list as Chipper is still out. (Wilson Betemit is filling in for Chipper at the hot corner.)

Gamecocks beat Ol'Miss 6 to 3

The University of South Carolina won the 2nd game in the 3 game match against Ol' Miss today. Trailing 3 to 1 in the 8th inning, Justin Smoak went long on the first pitch he saw marking his 7th homerun for the season. The next batter, Andrew Crisp went yard as well, hitting his second homerun in two games. (Crisp hit the game winning homer Friday night.) A series of errors by Ol Miss allowed the Cocks to score 5 runs in the bottom of the 8th and notch another win on their belt. The win today is the 11th for South Carolina in the SEC.

Golfing with the Bradford Report

Bobo finally put something of interest (for us non-Cowboy/Clemson fans) about golf on the Bradford Report. Hiers penned an interesting and deep description of the game of golf, defining golf as an endless series of tragedies, obscured by the occassional miracle, followed by a good (substitute cold) bottle of beer." His best remark, "The best wood for most golfers is the pencil used for scoring." Keep on late-night poker playing and watching "Walk the Line" and surfing the net Bobo. By the way, for all of you with money on the line for the next to fall, here is some inside information; Brad is moving in with his Yahoo sweetheart Ashley. And another one bites the dust.

Braves win against the Padres

Jeff Francoeur hit the game winning homerun in the bottom of the 8th tonight to break the 4-4 tie and add another win for the Braves ball club. The Braves, to much heart-ache, lost two games to Philly, but finally broke their losing streak tonight at Turner Field. Oscar Villarreal notched his 4th win and Chris Reitsma earned his 4th save.

Next Game
The Braves will play their second game of the three game series Saturday against the Padres @ 7:05 pm. On the mound for the Braves will be John Smoltz (0-1, 6.75 ERA). Jake Peavy (1/1, 7.36 ERA) will start for the Padres.

Railroad Earth (Bluegrass Jam-Band)

We're big fans of bluegrass music here at the Bushido, so when opportunity knocked (Dr. Farley called) I decided to answer the door. Before I get the daily diatribe rolling, let me just say that I have never really been a fan of watching bluegrass bands indoors. Although being an old Dead-Head, I have to say that twist-girls with hairy arm-pits and no deoderant should have died with Jerry. Note to all of you dirtsurfers out there, I am cool that you are living the Trustafarian lifestyle, but please at least be European and throw some cologne on for the rest of us with noses. That being said, Railroad Earth did put on a good show. They obviously have talent, but you can only jam-band for so long before you have to rock back to your recorded music to keep the Bushido's interest. Regardless, those old timers can really jam, check them out if you get the chance.

Railroad Earth band members:
The band consists of Todd Sheaffer (acoustic guitar), Tim Carbone (violin), John Skehan (mandolin), Carey Harmon (drums) Johnny Grub (upright bass) and Andy Goessling (acoustic guitar, banjo, dobro, mandolin, flute, pennywhistle and sax).

Local music update:
The Strokes will be playing at The Plex on May 25th, tickets will go on sale next Friday. 96-Wave will announce this later today and they will sponsor tickets via their "Win it before you can buy it" competition next week.

President Lee Higdon is leaving the College of Charleston

After five years at the College, President Lee Higdon is leaving us to become the 10th president of Connecticut College a private liberal arts school similiar in size to that of the Citadel. Higdon will succeed Norman Fainstein in July. The Board of Trustees will steer a committee to find the 21st president of the College of Charleston.

During his tenure at the College, Higdon oversaw the physical expansion of the school to 16 building projects, including the Nathan Addlestone Library and Beatty Center for the School of Business and Economics, the hiring of 67 new faculty members, the addition of six undergraduate degrees, five graduate degrees and six interdisciplinary minors. A businessman by trade, Higdon raised over $61 million in private funds during his tenure. His latest expansion for the school was to bulldoze the parking garage on George and St. Phillips streets to make room for retail store space with upper-class dorms built above (a mirror of King Street if you will.)

Higdon joined the College after being dean of UVA's Darden Graduate School of Business Admin and president of Babson College in Wellesley, Mass. Lee Higdon began his career working in the Peace Corps before moving into the global investment wing of Salomon Brothers (see Michael Lewis' book Liar's Poker for more information.) He left Wall Street with a fat wallet from leading the global investment banking division as vice chairman and member of the executive committee at Salomon Brothers.

My senior year at the College (Victory Lap) President Higdon tapped me to be on the President's Ad Hoc Committee for Retention. Higdon's vision for the school and standards of excellence was remarkable and it was a privilege to work with (for) him. Many of the College's family will find his departure hard to swallow, but I, for one, find it to be a refreshing strategy for success. Many executives at Higdon's level find that after 5-years at an executive position they become stagnant. That is why young lions, such as Higdon, hit the ground running, tap all of their energy by throwing themselves into making significant changes to the institution, charting a course of success that will last well beyond their tenure. And that shall be the legacy of President Higdon for the College of Charleston. The 4th Century iniative is not just one man, but it is all of us, and those who carry the eternal torch once we are gone. God Speed Lee Higdon; the Bushido will miss seeing you at the basketball games.

Early morning Bushido blogging: The Ten Commandments

Early morning Bushido blogging: His Quilt has many colors...
I know, it has happened once again; I am up late on a Sunday, can't sleep and if I could quit tossing and turning to finally rock myself into a slumber the result would be Rip Van-Trabert late to the paying job later today. The dichotomy of things on my mind both the personal and professional linger like a plague of locusts-light bulb!

To celebrate the Lenten season, ABC will not reshow the classic portayal of Moses by Charlton Heston, but will release a new version of The Ten Commandments which will aire tonight and tomorrow from 9 to 11pm. I surfed around to make sure I had the times and stars right and tripped across a Boston Globe review of which I am in agreement. Although I have not seen the show, or the new digital effects, I am not sure that I want to. The Ten Commandments are in the same category of Casablanca when it comes to remakes. Unless you have James Earl Jones playing Moses, I don't think anyone else (certainly not Dougray Scott) can carry the moxy of leadership to keep a tribe of people under control for 40-years whilst the group is lost in the desert.

Seriously, we all know the story: kid in a basket, reared as a prince, back to the peeps; let my people go free to the Pharoah Ramses, paint the door, locusts, part the Sea, talk to God via a burning bush, and then roll down the mountain with two tablets of rules. Why redo a classic? Open for your comments, wait until after you see the show tonight if you like.

Early morning Bushido blogging-Brian Lee Patterson

When keeping it real goes wrong...
While most of us were in church, sleeping in yesterday, coming back from a bike ride like the President or perhaps, getting ready for Mel and Jess' birthday party, Brian Lee Patterson jumped the wall to skee-daddy across the north lawn at the White House shouting "I am a victim of terrorism" as Smithers released the hounds on him. Patterson, 40, of Albuquerque, New Mexico wore the quintessential American attire of jeans and a t-shirt, which read, "God Bless America" for his morning exercise.

Patterson was arrested for 'unlawful-entry' and 'contempt of court' because this wasn't his first rodeo. Patterson is slated for court later today for his efforts to keep it real. (Photo AP)

Late Night Bushido Blogging-Liebermann

Graham: "Has anyone ever told you, that you have great hair? What is your secret?"
Liebermann: "I wear the President's cod-piece from his flight suit at night."
(Photo compliments of AFP/Paul J. Richards)
Senator Joe Liebermann may face his first Democratic challenge if Ned Lamont can make it on the ballot before May. Ned Lamont owns his own digital systems company with over 150,000 subscribers. Lamont is passing the petition and passing the hat to challenge Liebermann in the primary for the 2006 senatorial election in Connecticut. The Bushido's favorite sound bite from Lamont, "I won't be President Bush's favorite Democrat." Good luck Mr. Lamont.

Happy Birthday Hef

Hef celebrated his 80th birthday at the Grand Prix of Long Beach today. The octonagarian accompained by his three platinum girlfriends (Bridget, Holly and Kendra) attended the race before swinging back to the mansion for champagne, caviar and ___. (You fill in the rest.) Bravo to you, you old sailor you. Have fun motorboating around on your birthday.