The Road to Super Bowl XLIX--Coaches Face Off

Good afternoon on a snowy day in New York City. No, we did not get the "Snowmageddon" event of the century, but got enough for Mayor Bill to cancel school.

The countdown to Super Sunday is just five days! Today, we'll present random facts about the facing coaches.

First up is Pete Carroll, the head coach for reigning Super Bowl champs the Seattle Seahawks:

Name: Peter Clay "Pete" Carroll 

Date of Birth: September 12, 1951 (63 years)

Birthplace: San Francisco, CA

Pete Carroll

High School: Redwood High School, Lakespur, CA.
Random Fact: At just 110 lbs. his freshman year, he had to get clearance  to his doctor before he could play football.

College: Marin Junior College, then transferred to the University of the Pacific. BA in Business Administration (1971)
Graduate School: University of the Pacific, MA in Physical Education
Personal Life: Glena (spouse), three children, one grandchild
Random Fact: Never played professional football. Tried out for the Honolulu Hawaiians of the Professional Football League but didn't make the team. He sold roofing materials until 1973 to make ends meet.
College Coaching Career: After earning his Master's at Pacific and three years as a coaching assistant, he was hired by the University of Arkansas, who won the Orange Bowl in 1978. Carroll then moved to Iowa State University, then onto Ohio State, North Carolina State University, then back to Pacific, where he became assistant head coach. After getting fired by the Patriots in 1999, he was named head coach of the USC Trojans in 2000 after preferred candidates turned down the position. That position lasted until 2009. Under his leadership, the Trojans won a school-record 34 straight games from 2003-2005 and attendance increase at games. The Trojans also won seven consecutive Pac-10 titles, as well as two national championships. His coaching record at USC was 97-19.
NFL Career: Started out as defensive backs coach of the Bills, then worked for the Vikings. He became head coach of the New York Jets in 1994 but was fired after only one season. In 1995, he became defensive coordinator for the 49ers and then replaced Bill Parcells as head coach of the Patriots. After nine years with the USC Trojans, he became head coach of the Seattle Seahawks. In 2014, he lead the Seahawks to their first Super Bowl victory and was the third-oldest coach in the NFL to win the Super Bowl.
Overall NFL Head Coaching Record: 33-31, regular season and 1-2 in the postseason
Controversy: In 2010, it was reported that USC football player Reggie Bush and basketball player O.J. Mayo had accepted gifts while playing as amateurs. Bush voluntarily forfeited his Heisman Trophy, and Carroll appeared in front of the NCAA Committee on Infractions. Sanctions against the trojans included a two-year bowl ban, the elimination of 30 football scholarships, and forfeitures of several football victories.

And now for random facts about the Patriots' coach, Bill Bellchick:

Name: William Stephen "Bill" Belichick
Date of Birth: April 16, 1952
Birthplace: Nashville, TN

Bill Belichick

Random Fact: His father was an assistant football coach at Navy.
High School: Annapolis High School, Phillips Academy for postgraduate year
College: Wesleyan, member of Chi Psi fraternity
Personal Life: Debby Clarke (ex-wife); was accused of having affairs with other women. Three children with Clarke
NFL Career: First job was assistant to Colts head coach in 1975, then joined Detroit Lions a year later. In 1979, he began a 12-year stint with the Giants as a special teams coach; the team won two Super Bowl victories in 1986 and 1990. In 1991, he was named head coach of the Cleveland Browns, where he coached for four years, and the Patriots in 1996. In 1997, he was named Jets interim head coach in February 1997, where he lasted for just one day  He returned to the Patriots in 2000 after contract tense negotiations between the Jets and the Patriots. Coached the Patriots to xis Super Bowl victories, including victories in Super Bowls XXVI, XXXVIII, and XXXIX. Was named AP NFL Coach of the Year in 2003, 2007, and 2010.
Controversy: In an incident called "Spygate," NFL security caught a Patriots videographer taping the New York Jets' defensive signals from an on-field location. After the Jets complained to the league, Belichick was fined $500K and fined the team $250K.
Overall Coaching Record: 36-44 with Cleveland, 211-109 with New England

There you have it. We're still waiting for the outcome of Deflate-Gate.

Today's Listmania:

Party Idea of the Day: I've just been informed that the Hallmark Channel will be airing Kitten Bowl II. Whether you like cats or dogs, you're bound to get some fun from either game!

Super Bowl Fun Fact of the Day: In 1967, tickets to Super Bowl I topped out at $12. The average price of a ticket to Super Bowl XLIX will be $4,833.25. The average ticket price from the past five Super Bowls was $2,830.

Today's Birthdays: Josh Randall (43), Patton Oswalt (46), Tricky (47), Mike Patton (47), Bridget Fonda (51), Margo Timmans (54), Gillian Gilbert (54), Mimi Rogers (59), Richard Young (60), Cheryl White (60), Nedra Talley (69), Nick Mason (71), and James Cromwell (75).

Holidaze: If you're a chocolate lover, this days is for you because it's National Chocolate Cake Day! This treat dates back to 1765 when a doctor and a mill owner teamed up to concoct a formula meant to be used for drinking but it turned out to be chocolate frosting instead. Years later, this dessert was made for a prince, and the chocolate cake was born! FYI, the first Betty Crocker cake mixes were released in 1947.

That's all for today. For those on the East Coast, stay warm and dry!

Have a PRINTASTIC day!

Kathy

The Road to Super Bowl XLIX--University of Phoenix Stadium Fun Facts

Good afternoon from snowy NYC! We are bracing for a "historic blizzard" that is supposed end all blizzards. My guess is that we'll probably get just a foot and not the three feet that was predicted.

It's just six days until the big game! Yes, we have some controversy going on with Deflate-gate. Bill Nye  the Science Guy explains why the team's footballs were slightly deflated in the Pats' AFC championship game against the Colts. Nye stated that Bill Belichick's explanation made no sense. Will the Patriots be disqualified from the Super Bowl? We'll know soon, I'm sure.

Meanwhile, we'd like to present some fun facts about the University of Phoenix Stadium:

• Opening Day: August 1, 2006 (following three years of construction).
• Tenants: Arizona Cardinals and the VIZIO Fiesta Bowl
• Number of seats: 63,400 (expandable to 72,200), If set in a straight line, they would stretch for about 18 miles.
• Luxury Seats: 88 luxury lofts, 7,400 Club Seats, and two Club Lounges. Perks include preferred parking, exclusive entrances, comfortable seating, multiple TVs, private restrooms and catering, etc. 
• Special Events: 160,000 square feet of exhibit space and 20,000 square feet of meeting room space
• Scoreboards: 2
• Public Restrooms: 77 (30 Men's, 35 Women's and 12 Family)
• Concession Stands: 47
• Number of Public Elevators: 10
• Number of Public Escalators: 18
• Number of Parking Spaces: 14,000 on site, 12,000 adjacent spaces nearby
• Cost to build the stadium: $455 million.  The amount of concrete used is equal to approximately 900 miles of sidewalk.
• Number of Employees: 2,600 on site for game days

A map of the original plans for the stadium appears below (courtesy of Mapperly.com)

As mentioned previously, the stadium has both a retractile roof that will give the stadium an open, airy feel even when it's closed. It has two 700-foot long trusses on each side and takes 15 minutes to open. A grass field rolls out of the stadium and sits outside, except for football and soccer games. The field ix 234 feet wide x 403 feet long and 39 inches tall.

The Arizona Super Bowl Host Committee is sponsoring events all this week. Today is the 2015 WM Phoenix Open.

Today's Listmania:

Party Idea of the Day: Right before the Big Game, don't forget about Puppy Bowl XI on Animal Planet. This has become an event almost as popular as Super Sunday. 

Aren't they cute?

Super Bowl Fun Fact of the Day: This year, fans are expected to gamble about $119 million on the game. Casinos in Las Vegas are expected to reap in $18.9 million in profit. Later this week, I'll have more on unusual bets taking place.

Today's Birthdays: Colon O'Donoghue (34), Sara Rue (37), Paul Johansson (51, Andrew Ridgeley (52), Jazzie B (52), Ellen DeGeneres (57), Eddie Van Halen (60), Lucinda Williams (62), David Strahairn (66), Corky Lattig (67), Jean Knight (72), Scott Glenn (76), and Bob Uecker (80).

Holidaze: Today is National Spouses Day, a day put aside to be thankful for your relationship and the things you do for each other. Sometimes we take our spouses for granted, so show your appreciation on this day! 

Celebrate National Peanut Brittle Day by trying this recipe by the country singer Tricia Yearwood. This is another favorite snack of mine that's not good for the teeth, lol.

Finally, there is a special day set aside for Ellen DeGeneres, who celebrates her birthday today. Although this is an "unofficial" holiday, it is a National Day due to the overwhelming amount of requests and phone calls.

 

For those along the Northeastern corridor, please stay safe and dry!

Have a PRINTASTIC day!

Kathy

Weekend Edition: Happy 30th to the Mac!

Good afternoon from a miserable day in NYC. Yes, folks, we had our first real snowfall of the season and I had a very treacherous walk to the gym this morning. Fortunately, it's above freezing and the snow seems to be melting.

Since football is on hiatus this weekend, so am I. I'll be back with more Super Bowl facts and trivia on Monday. 

Since our business is all about celebrating milestones, I'd like to wish a Happy 30th Anniversary to the Macintosh! I posted the first commercial for this iconic product on Thursday. 

I first started using the Mac in 1989, when I was hired for a desktop publishing job at an academic publisher. I had been intimidated by computers initially because one practically needed an engineering degree to operate one. I couldn't believe how user-friendly the little Mac was. Two years later, we got color Macs in the office. I loved the little warning icons: bomb for a system error, the sad Mac when the machine was beyond repair, a question mark when the disk was missing, etc. Then Microsoft introduced the first version of Windows to compete with the Mac. However, Apple bounced back and evolved into the tech giant we know today, thanks to the iPod, iPad, and iPhone.

Today we also celebrate another major milestone. In 1962, the Beatles signed their first contract with Brian Epstein. There's no need to rehash what's happened since then, but this document changed the course of music history forever. I always wondered what would have happened with the group had Brian Epstein not taken his life. 

Shop update: On February 1, Oscar Night games will be revealed. During the month of February, we will also have freebies for both Valentine's Day and the Academy Awards. as well as party ideas for both. On February 9, I will be attending an event at the Etsy headquarters in Dumbo. The host of the event is a group called HATCH, a monthly meet-up of creative and entrepreneurial women in the NYC area. This could be the networking opportunity I've been looking for. We are also looking to network with event planners in the area.

Now onto Listmania:

Party Idea of the Day: Go beyond football jerseys and jeans with these fun outfits. From hercampus.com, here's what the well-dressed Seahawks fan will wear. The key here is lots of turquoise.

For the Patriots supporters, here are some great outfit ideas. I know these are from a few years ago, but they still work. From hattackblog.

Super Bowl Fun Fact of the Day: 35% of people who attend the game write it off as a corporate expense. 

Today's birthdays: Mischa Barton (29), Justin Baldoni (21), Tatyana Ali (36), Ed Helms (41), Natassja Kinski (56), Jools Holland (57), Yakov Smirnoff (64), Becky Hobbs (65), Neil Diamond (74), Aaron Neville (74), and Ray Stevens (76).

Tomorrow's birthdays: Michael Trevino (30), Alicia Keys (34), Ana Ortiz (44), Dinah Manoff (57), Jennifer Lewis (58), Leigh Taylor-Young (70), and Dean Jones (84).

Today's Holidaze: Take the opportunity to say something positive on National Compliment Day! We are also celebrating National Peanut Butter Day (yum!). I love peanut butter and chocolate, peanut butter cookies, and PB&J sandwiches. Contrary to popular belief, George Washington Carver did not invent peanut butter. Credit goes to Canadian Marcellus Gilmore Edison. Finally, it's Beer Can Appreciation Day, which celebrates the day beer was first sold in cans 70 years ago. 

Tomorrow's Holidaze: Tomorrow is National Opposite Day. Who can ever forget the classic first-season "SpongeBob" episode of the same name? 

Also get warm with some Irish Coffee tomorrow since it's the food/drink honoree of the day.Irish Coffee is a cocktail consisting of hot coffee, Irish whiskey, and sugar (some recipes specify that brown sugar should be used, stirred, and topped with thick cream.

Cheers!

Finally, I want to give a shout out to May and Russell on their baby shower  today! One of my Etsy customers had me create a custom crossword in their honor. Here are the results.

Have a PRINTASTIC weekend!

Kathy