Game Day Action

Well! The results of the Heisman Pundit poll are in for week four- hmm. Clever Girls, you need to know this is a mini-Heisman vote of only 13 of the regular voters and is considered the most accurate pre-Heisman Trophy Trust vote.

Denard Robinson is 13 points above the next two tied QBs- Terrelle Pryor (nemesis from Ohio State) and Kellan Moore (of Boise State)- IMPRESSIVE.

Now, UM is not as strong a team as they need to be, nor is the offense yet to respond to RichRod’s spread offense- however, Denard Robinson (D-Rob) is a much better QB to execute RichRod's spread option, as he's highly mobile, agile and exceedingly comfortable carrying the ball. He's absolutely riveting to watch- explosive. If he had a solid offensive line- we’d look like the Longhorns under Colt or Vince. That would be a fantasy come true.

Looks like Tate Forcier is on the path to being a red-shirt freshman this year- Clever Girls this is one way to add a year of eligibility to a player. If they go an entire season without playing a down- they are given an extra year. Now, why would this transpire? A couple of reasons- perhaps the player was active in their freshman year (a true freshman), but due to injury, attitude or performance was not as qualified as another player their sophomore year, but the coach knows they will become a stronger player and wants to develop that talent. OR, they got ousted from their job by an incoming player the next year. It seems that was the case with Forcier and Robinson. It happens. But those are two definitions any Clever Girl needs to know.

Michigan has two more relatively easy weeks- then homecoming vs. Michigan State- a bye week- and then they get hit hard for the rest of the season. So, theoretically, Denard could remain in the top of the Heisman polling for the next four weeks! Obviously, the homecoming game will be a tough one for me. I still root for UM, but am happy (ish) either way.

NOW- to challenge a term I love- "The best defense is a good offense." In the case of UM- this is not true. No matter how good D-Rob is playing, he can not carry a team and if the defense does not stop the opponent- we lose. So, the defense has GOT to pull it together. This is absurd. When we start confronting some of the opponents who are offensive powerhouses- it might be a high-scoring game- but we will lose.

OK- coolest game of the week? I’ll be watching UM, UT and Arkansas vs. Alabama. I’ve made no secret of the fact I want 'Bama to get rolled early so it’s time for Arkansas and Ryan Mallet to live up to the hype. What does that mean, Clever Girls? Well, offensively Ryan Mallet (QB for Arkansas) and Mark Ingram (RB of 'Bama and reigning Heisman champion) will be struggling for honors- so, it will be a fantastic battle.

It’s really next weekend I am looking forward to. Texas OU is one of the most exciting weekends of the year for me. This year will be a little different- I will be at Dick’s Last Resort with ESPN Austin as they broadcast live on Friday. Cannot wait to see Chip, Geoff, Erin and Sean- this is a fantastically handsome bunch, ladies, so round up your men and join them.

I'm Here to Get Hit On- Just NOT By YOU

OK, this just needs to be said- in response to those girls who are clearly NOT Clever. I was having a post-Dallas Stars Calendar shoot adult beverage at my favorite local and there were women EVERYWHERE. Now, normally this would be vastly unappealing to me- but when I am afforded the opportunity to observe behavior- it's fantastic.

So, the two women next to me were dressed to kill- and I don’t mean hunt animals. They were on the hunt no doubt- no equivocation. These were not the ladies who exploded from a supermodel bomb, nor were they of the sensible-shoe-and-attire variety either. However, they did send a very clear message and I’d like to spell it out for my male readers.

I could see the gentleman at the end of the bar observing for a while- likely formulating an approach. I was proud of him for taking his time- I could see he was calculating.

When he finally did make his way- both women anxiously turned to him and after determining he was not of interest- one of them said "I’m sorry, I’m just here to visit with my girlfriend- not to get hit on."

Two bold-faced lies in that statement. If you wanted to "visit with your girlfriend," unmolested, you’d have stayed in. With Clever Girls- who you are with is ALWAYS more important than where you are. Second lie- intimating they don’t want to get hit on.

What she really meant is "I am looking to meet someone, but it’s not you." I found her rude and offensive. Men generally don’t have to deal with being approached by women tirelessly, However, if you continuously base your options on looks and nothing more- the chances of you EVER meeting anyone up to par are slim.

What happens after someone meets your physical standards? Is it possible they might also fulfill what you desire in a man? I have a reputation for dating men who are what most women would find not very attractive. This is because I realized two things at a young age- no one was asking me out, so if someone did, I vowed to go (unless they appeared to have escaped from prison or were decidedly NOT Clever). Once I started accepting those dates, I realized what was truly important to me in a man and looks were not even in the top five. Sense of humor, confidence, gentility, intelligence and ambition.

So, the point to all of that is: While there are men who are the whole package- they are as rare as a pink diamond. So, the best idea for Clever Girls is to do some excavation before you toss out what could be a perfect gem.

If you have not heard- I am running a contest to promote my fiction and the release of my novel, "Consumed"- look to Clever Contest for rules.

A Very Clever Contest

OK, Clever Tribe- it’s time to start putting our heads together and sell some books. As you know, my first novel, "Consumed," is available for presale on bn.com. It can be purchased now but will be shipped mid-December.

I want to reward those of you who are loyal readers of Clever, and/or your family memberfs and friends. So, I am going to run a contest.

This is how it will work: If you or anyone you know is getting married in December of 2010 or in any month in 2011- this is something you want to get involved in.

The RULES-

1. You have to become a fan of Clever Girl on Facebook. I'll cross check your name with your e-mail.
2. You have to e-mail me at soveryclevergrl@gmail.com and tell me the bride and groom’s names, and the date and location of the wedding. After this, I will return the e-mail and give you a contest code. This number will allow me to keep track of all your entries.
3. Refer all your friends and relatives (hell, everyone on your invite list, co-workers etc. …) to http://www.soveryclever.com-/ where they will read and comment daily between now and the 31st of October. They will begin each comment with your order code.
4. You (bride or groom) and all of your referrals must then purchase "Consumed" athttp://www.bn.com/ and e-mail your receipt to soveryclevergrl@gmail.com- use your contest code in the subject line. When your friends, family members and co-workers order "Consumed" from http://www.bn.com-/ they have to forward the receipt tosoveryclevergrl@gmail.com with your contest code in the subject line (this will be your proof of purchase to be added to the bride's total count).
5. So, to recap. In order to qualify for the contest you must become a fan of Clever Girl on FB (encourage all your friends and family members to do the same)- e-mail me atsoveryclevergrl@gmail.com and introduce yourself- give me all the details pertinent to your wedding (or your sister’s wedding or you mother’s wedding- whom ever you are supporting). Every day, all of your people need to log ontohttp://www.soveryclever.com/, read the blog and leave comments. All comments have to begin with your contest code so I can add it to your profile. Each person who buys "Consumed" between now and the 31st of October will give you another chance to win. All receipts from http://www.bn.com/ need to be e-mailed to soveryclevergrl@gmail.comwith your contest code in the subject line.

WHAT DO YOU WIN?

In case you didn’t know, I am a professional photographer as well. I have been shooting weddings all over the world for 13 years and simply LOVE it. You can preview my wedding website at www.lidestriphoto.com. At the end of October, I will be offering the person who has followed the rules and referred the most people to Clever Girl and whose "team" has purchased the most copies of "Consumed" wedding photography any where in the country free of charge. Now, this is a $7,000 value. It will include me photographing your wedding for seven hours (continuous time) and giving you a disc of all the images. You will own them and therefore be able to do with them as you wish. I will handle all my own travel expenses.

As an added bonus- anyone in Dallas who refers one hundred people (each referral must also buy "Consumed") will be eligible for an engagement or family sitting (all images on disc). Within one hour from Dallas proper.

So, tell all of your friends who are getting married!! I’m really excited to do this- and thank you so much for your continued support.

"ND Defended that Very, Very Well"- Uh, Lou?

OK, I admit it. If we were talking about picking a doctor, I’d be accused of doctor shopping right now. If you don’t know what that means, it's a system where you visit with a doctor, do not like what he has to say, so you visit a different one- on and on until you hear what you want. Not a great idea if the first four told you that you have cancer.

So, I have decided to go with the ESPNU Fan Rankings for week 4 instead of the AP, Bleacher Report, ESPN or USA Today- why? Because the Wolverine fans have come together and pushed UM up to 19 on the fan poll where everyone else has seated them 21 or lower.

Now, it’s no secret this is a vote, and the votes are taken from sports writers across the nation- and that it is fundamentally flawed (because I don't get a vote). That said- what did I think about Saturday?

You won’t get any Monday morning sniveling from me regarding performance. Despite the fact Michigan State is my alma mater- they don’t get a fair shake from me so I need to BLOW IT UP right now. Nice freaking fake, guys! Holy Cow. If you have not seen this faked field goal (that Lou Holtz stated Notre Dame defended very, very well- uh …) you need to. Now, it has been ruled no delay of game penalty should have been called, so ND fans can Zip IT. I want to acknowledge the fact that MSU coach Mark Dantonio was admitted to the hospital following the over time victory with a heart attack and after surgery is doing very well. (Clever Girls- you need to know who Lou Holtz is even though I can't understand a freaking word he says. He is a retired football coach- college and pro- an author, a sportscaster and a motivational speaker- though the only thing he motivates me to do is drift off. He was the coach at ND for ten years from 1986-1996).

I’ve said it before, UM plays to their opponent and I wasn’t too happy with their performance on Saturday day, but a true UM fan can admit- ugly as it was- it's still a V and this is where it traditionally falls apart for us so ...

UT- hmmm. I’ve got to say, I miss the shot gun, but that was a tense game for me. I had skin in it so all I can say is – WHEW. OU is going to be a zinger- can NOT wait. An unanticipated scheduling conflict will prevent me from watching the game, as I have every single year for a decade, with ESPN Austin’s Erin Hogan. Rain check, E. 11-20.

Ingram got out there and a rather impressive first two runs gave credence to his Heisman victory- but yes, I’m still stinging about Colt.

So, that is that- for me today, back to editing “Consumed.” If you have not seen the new, longer video trailer for the novel, check it out on youtube.com (search “Consumed Book Trailer”)- it will be on www.lidestrigriffin.com soon.

I initiated a Clever Contest- look to the right for rules of engagement and WHAT YOU WIN. I will be reposting the rules every other day on the main blog area so those who miss it- can be reminded. We all know someone who is getting married- let’s take the sting out of the photography line in the budget.

OVER and OUT.

CLEVER CONTEST

OK, Clever Tribe- it’s time to start putting our heads together and sell some books. As you know, my first novel, "Consumed," is available for presale on bn.com. It can be purchased now but will be shipped mid-December.

I want to reward those of you who are loyal readers of Clever, and/or your family memberfs and friends. So, I am going to run a contest.

This is how it will work: If you or anyone you know is getting married in December of 2010 or in any month in 2011- this is something you want to get involved in.

The RULES-

1. You have to become a fan of Clever Girl on Facebook. I'll cross check your name with your e-mail.
2. You have to e-mail me at soveryclevergrl@gmail.com and tell me the bride and groom’s names, and the date and location of the wedding. After this, I will return the e-mail and give you a contest code. This number will allow me to keep track of all your entries.
3. Refer all your friends and relatives (hell, everyone on your invite list, co-workers etc. …) to http://www.soveryclever.com-/ where they will read and comment daily between now and the 31st of October. They will begin each comment with your order code.
4. You (bride or groom) and all of your referrals must then purchase "Consumed" at http://www.bn.com/ and e-mail your receipt to soveryclevergrl@gmail.com- use your contest code in the subject line. When your friends, family members and co-workers order "Consumed" from http://www.bn.com-/ they have to forward the receipt to soveryclevergrl@gmail.com with your contest code in the subject line (this will be your proof of purchase to be added to the bride's total count).
5. So, to recap. In order to qualify for the contest you must become a fan of Clever Girl on FB (encourage all your friends and family members to do the same)- e-mail me at soveryclevergrl@gmail.com and introduce yourself- give me all the details pertinent to your wedding (or your sister’s wedding or you mother’s wedding- whom ever you are supporting). Every day, all of your people need to log onto http://www.soveryclever.com/, read the blog and leave comments. All comments have to begin with your contest code so I can add it to your profile. Each person who buys "Consumed" between now and the 31st of October will give you another chance to win. All receipts from http://www.bn.com/ need to be e-mailed to soveryclevergrl@gmail.com with your contest code in the subject line.

WHAT DO YOU WIN?

In case you didn’t know, I am a professional photographer as well. I have been shooting weddings all over the world for 13 years and simply LOVE it. You can preview my wedding website at www.lidestriphoto.com. At the end of October, I will be offering the person who has followed the rules and referred the most people to Clever Girl and whose "team" has purchased the most copies of "Consumed" wedding photography any where in the country free of charge. Now, this is a $7,000 value. It will include me photographing your wedding for seven hours (continuous time) and giving you a disc of all the images. You will own them and therefore be able to do with them as you wish. I will handle all my own travel expenses.

As an added bonus- anyone in Dallas who refers one hundred people (each referral must also buy "Consumed") will be eligible for an engagement or family sitting (all images on disc). Within one hour from Dallas proper.

So, tell all of your friends who are getting married!! I’m really excited to do this- and thank you so much for your continued support.

Late to the Game- So Very NOT Clever

OK, Clever Girls, accept my apologies being So Very late with this post. Fact of the matter is, I am buried alive right now in editing "Consumed." It simply has to be a priority- along with sports. It's GAME DAY- OMGOSH, the air is a little cooler (somewhere other than Dallas), you can almost smell the tailgate parties, and if I weren't hung over, a cold beer would sound fantastic.
I'm going to give you some information that would be interesting to throw around while you are hanging with the guys who "invited" you to watch the game because you are So Very Cool.
Former UT star Sergio Kindle fell down two flights of stairs- no idea if he was hammered or not but -it might have effectively ended his pro football career. In a gesture of kindness, his coach, John Harbaugh (yes, the brother of Jim Harbaugh), has decided to try and work out a deal where they are able to wait for an answer on the future of this valuable player.
Today UT is headed to Tech, the hallowed ground where they lost in 2008- this, however, is a different team than in 2008. "Mike Leachless" Tech is a vastly different team- it will be a VERY interesting game. I'm going to take UT (emotional). Worth noting, I did state last year Mike Leach would still be trying to sort out what I feel is a legitimate gripe with Tech. Do I still think Adam James, his accuser, is a whiny bitch? YES. Honestly- buck up, dude- you play football- oh, that's right, you weren't playing, which is why you decided to used your one scintilla of "power" and fry your coach. So, translation for newly Clever Girls: Last year, the son of an almost-famous sports commentator, Craig James, accused quirky but effective coach of Texas Tech Mike Leach of abuse. Mike Leach lost his freaking job. Unreal.
What else? University of Michigan. Am I excited we are ranked? First time in a long time we have broken the top 20- I am So Very Proud. Here's the deal. A couple of problems. Though Sports Illustrated selected D'Rob (Denard Xavier Robinson- Clever nicknames prove your interest) their top week three Heisman pick- the Heisman voting is based on more than individual effort. They like to see Vs (victories) or Ws (wins)- they also like to see the way the individual performance creates an entire line of productivity. So, what does that mean? The offensive line is going to have to start performing. D'Rob can NOT carry an entire team. What other problems does UM face? They have not played a conference game yet and the Big Ten (though not as glorious as it once was) is an ass kicking. There is also the fact that UM tends to play to the competition. If they played Ann Arbor High, they might get their asses handed to them because they play to the opponent's skill level. This could be a good thing in conference play- Ohio State is going to be THE game to watch and I hope it's not because UM will become the laughing stock of the Big 10 between now and then.
Alright- back to "Consumed"- what an apt title, as it is truly consuming my life right now. I love every single second of it. I am So Very BLESSED to be doing what I love and not being paid for it. Someday.

Pentalies for Game Day Violations can be Stiff

OK, Clever Tribe- it is clear my weekend did not go exactly as planned. However, the two games in which I was most emotionally invested turned out EXACTLY as HOPED. Now, University of Texas is battling a new offensive strategy and normally that takes years (reference University of Michigan) to adapt, but UT fans aren't as patient. So, G2 (UT quarterback- Clever Girls, having Clever nicknames for your favorite players shows your intimate knowledge and interest) had to take the bull by the horns, so to speak, and make it work. Now, the goal here was to play under center. That means instead of utilizing the shotgun (the center pitches the ball backward to the quarterback) position, the quarterback takes a hand off directly from the center.