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I thought I was done reading about Penn State football players in trouble with the law.  I've done interview after interview in the post-season with players saying the off-the-field issues plaguing this program for the past couple of years are over.

Apparently not!

The latest boggles my mind!  Chris Bell threatening a TEAMMATE with a knife at Pollock Commons.  What!  That's where I enjoyed what I still consider the best Sunday brunch ever.  Granted the football players eat in a special room, but nonetheless, the only time a knife should be used is to cut the yummy french toast!   How disheartening!  Chris obviously booted off the team with no possibility of a return.  Sad, really.  It's a teammate, for Pete's Sake.  What was the point?  He wanted to confront another player who believed Bell stole his cell phone case?  Oh my.   P.S.-- He's no longer behind bars!   Not that I feel he's a threat to the team but he did say (according to the police report), he had a gun with him.  I'm assuming in his dorm room?  You see in a couple minutes, he ruined what could have been the opportunity of a lifetime:  a free education and the chance to showcase his athletic ability to maybe one day play at the next level.  Now, he'll be lucky if anyone will take another chance on him.  Life is about choices and he made a really bad choice. 

I'm not sure really why the problems persist.  I don't think it has anything to do with the coaches, in particular Joe Paterno.  You can do only so much.  You can't change a person.  Only he or she can change himself or herself.  And don't say Paterno can't relate to the problems or issues of kids these days!  Right and wrong -- have not changed. Technology, maybe, but not morals.   There will always be problems when you get a hundred 20-somethings together, but come on... use that fight and fire against Michigan, not on your teammates and other students.

At any rate, it was last year around this time a bunch of players got in trouble after an off-campus fight.  The Blue-White Game could get interesting!  Hopefully, there will be enough players to scrimmage.  The Nittany Lions may have to recruit from the crowd.

watch the story here

As a reporter, I get the opportunity to meet a lot of people.  It's what I like most about my job.  Some people, I instantly like!  Others, I, well, don't think too highly of after a conversation.  And then there are those who leave a lasting impression.

On Sunday, we aired a story on a blind bowling league.  Having bowled competitively as a youngster (not trying to brag), I have an appreciation for those who head to bowling alleys on a regular basis.  *I've been told to call it a bowling center... apparently, alleys is old school.   Anyway, this league of bowlers was incredible... incredible!

Some of them are completely blind while others are partially blind.  But each Saturday for a couple months of the year, they bowl at Red Crown Bowling Center in Harrisburg.   I didn't know what to expect going into the story -- but was left dumbfounded.  They can hear success.

I even tried it myself.   I blindfolded myself and tried bowling!  I'll tell you the hardest part: staying upright.  I thought I was going to fall over.  The balance -- impossible.  I managed to knock a couple pins over, but that was about it.

I'm just so glad there are opportunities available for the blind.  To their admission, they look forward to getting out and socializing.   And I'm so glad I got the opportunity to meet them.  I will never forget that story.   It was a sight to remember.  Too see for yourself, you can click on the icon at the top of the story.

The following article made me laugh out loud:

From Newsday.com:

Eli Manning enjoys "Seinfeld" reruns.  Not that there's anything wrong with that. Many NFL players have far worse vices.  But Jay Zollar, general manager of WLUK, a Fox affiliate in Green Bay, this week made it clear that he, not the Giants quarterback, is the master of that domain.
On a video on the station's Web site, Zollar points at the camera and says, "Eli, no 'Seinfeld' for you!"  Yup, the station has pulled its regularly scheduled 5:30 p.m. Saturday "Seinfeld" rerun in an attempt to disrupt Manning's preparation for Sunday's NFC Championship Game against the Packers.
"We don't want to give any comfort to the enemy whatsoever when they come into town," Zollar says. "We know laughter is good medicine, and we decided we're not going to give that to him."
To which any self-respecting Giants fan would say, "Yada, yada, yada."  Evidently Packers fans believe it's not enough that this year's players already have proven they're real, and they're spectacular. The station is conducting an online vote to choose a replacement program.

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The article really made me think -- does anyone really believe in superstitions?  Well, of course I do.  For example, I fly frequently... and I try to reserve a seat on the right side of the plane.  I also do something else, but I'm too superstitious to say.  Sorry I don't need anything to go wrong while flying.  It's not bad -- it's just something I do before takeoff.

I was superstitious in high school too.  We won the state championship in high school -- for basketball.  And I insisted on wearing the same pair of underwear in the playoffs.  *I do believe in laundry, don't worry, and my good luck charm was washed after each game.  Hey, it worked.  We won at the buzzer.

So anyone else out there have any superstitions or rituals they wish to share?  Do tell...

Finally, it's arrived -- GAME DAY!  It's funny but by the time a bowl game arrives, I'm usually exhausted.  The events leading up to a game are always the most challenging.  We are usually racing around, editing, writing, and lugging around lots of heavy equipment.

But once the ball is kicked off tonight, for the next 3 hours I sit for the most part.  My job is to really focus on the game.  To be honest, I prefer to stand on the sidelines.  I do that at Beaver Stadium.  Press boxes are not for me.  I like to "feel" the game, feel momentum switches and get a feel for crowd noise.  Sitting high up in typically non-air conditioned rooms makes me feel like a zoo animal.

Speaking of feeling like a zoo animal on display, man I felt it yesterday.  Justin and I headed for the Alamo to do some shooting.  I don't think anyone there had ever seen a television crew.  I was photographed, signed autographs (funny, huh?) and glared at (a lot).  People somewhat invaded my space, in fact.  Definitely different.  At least it made for a couple good laughs!  It made me think of a conversation I just had with Myranda.  We were laughing that in the movies, tv crews are always live at a scene with only a camera.  I feel like some of the people thought I was live.  Nope!

OK, well it's time to get back to work.  I have a bunch a stories to write before heading over to the Alamodome.  I've covered 2 bowl games (Orange and Outback) for WHP-TV.  Both Penn State wins!  We'll see if that trend continues tonight at 8 PM EST.

Made it!  We are in San Antonio.  It's 1 AM EST and I'm pooped!  I hope I can say that on a blog.  Traveling wears you out.  And we were duped today... or maybe we just got a raw deal.

So when we arrived at HIA (remember, MDT if making reservations), we had to switch our flights because of weight restrictions.  I know, I ate a lot of Christmas cookies.  Just kidding.  I really don't know how planes get off the ground without luggage.  Instead of flying from Harrisburg to Atlanta to San Antonio, we had to fly to Cincinnati and then to San Antonio.  The problem: both planes were puddle-jumpers.  Now, I don't mind being cramped the first leg.  But the second leg of the trip was 3 HOURS.  Small planes are for puddles, not ponds.  Oh, the flight dragged.  The last 10 minutes were so bumpy too.  Arghh... or barf!  The Atlanta plane was a biggie, you know one where you aren't touching the women in the window seat across the aisle.  Who engineers the seats on planes anyway?  I'd like him/her to meet my legs...  I'm 6-feet tall and flying is painful.

Needless to say, I'm relieved to be sitting here in my hotel room writing.  I'm on the ground.  A big day is in store tomorrow.  An "a" game is necessary!   To bed I go to study up!

So it's Saturday morning -- 1 AM -- and I'm up blogging.  I can't sleep.  I have to get up in 2 hours anyway to catch a flight to see my roommate from college and her husband.  The problem: I had to leave behind my baby.  No, not my boyfriend -- he's coming.  But my baby:  Nittany.

My life has really changed since August 19th.  For one, I no longer sleep in.  8 AM is norm.  * That's going to bed at 2 AM, mind you.  My schedule really revolves around Nittany and well, her movements (if you know what I mean).  I can no longer run errands all day, etc. or take day trips to visit friends without planning ahead.  But you know what, I would have it no other way.  Nittany is the BEST.  Despite her ability to grab tissues from who knows where and eat them in 3.4 seconds or her need to put teeth marks in my favorite pair of shoes, she always give you that cute look and greets you with a bunch of kisses.  Nittany is a lover... she will sit on your lap for hours.  Belly rubs are her favorite.  In fact, she'll get in position and pretty much demand them.  One of my favorite parts of the day is when after a long day at work, I come home, open up the crate door and am greeted by this little creature that just wants to play and jump and lick you.  She loves me no matter what I say or what I do.  It's unconditional.

Here's the problem.  I'm leaving her behind on this trip.  I'm not sure she's up for a 5-hour plane trip.  And the people we are visiting just got a dog too... so not a great idea to bring ours.  Fortunately, I left her with the photographer I shoot with on a regular basis.  I'm not sure he's going to talk to me after this arrangement.  I typed up a one-page list of Nittany's routine/schedule/quirks, etc.  That went over well -- NOT.  He has a dog so hopefully Nittany will make a friend.  Truthfully, if the sports video is a little shaky or blue in the coming days, please understand.  He's probably sleep deprived.  He's already said I can't call to check in -- he knows I'm a worry wart.  In fact, I'm worried as I type this.  What if she cries all night, what if she stops eating, what if she has an accident on their carpet?  I provided them with some over-21 beverages to help get them through.  I'm beginning to think I need some to get through myself.

I'm really going to miss her.  I actually cried a little tonight.  I'm leaving my baby behind.  I know, barf.  But she's my little gift.  She's taught me a lot in the past almost 4 months... patience, mostly.  That and if it's important to me, it needs to be up high -- i.e. -- bills on countertops, shoes in closed closets.  In fact, I don't think I'm so uptight about a clean house.  Trust me, I'd love an ultra clean house, but if I have to step over a toy or two, that's OK too.

What makes me most sad about leaving her for 4 days-- is I can't tell her we'll be back.  She doesn't understand.  I don't want her to be scared or sad.  I promise, Nitt-ners (one of her million nicknames), I'll be back.  And you can eat cookies all night long (her treat are her cookies).  And if you see a minature schnauzer near the station, it's probably her -- just make sure she's on a leash.

Dogs truly can be a man's (or woman's) best friend.

So we can all recall a time when we've left a salon and well, haven't felt too good about ourselves.  I remember about 7 years ago, I hated a haircut, but managed to make it to my car before letting the tears fly.

This week... I got my hair cut... I love it.   That's not the issue.  My 5-month puppy... who's cuter than ever needed a trim.  Actually, she really needed an all-over haircut.  Nittany was becoming a fur ball.  As parents, my boyfriend and I found it cute.  But I don't think anyone else did.  It's like the parent who allows his or her child to dress himself.  Everyone else is appalled except for the parent.  We thought Nittany's long locks were endearing.  Finally, as we buying dog food for her with her in tow, the owner concluded our conversation with a slight hint:  "you know we have groomers here, right?"

So we made an appointment with another shop (just for convenience purposes).  I made sure I was very specific.  Short, but not too short...  She's a schnauzer... but we don't particularly care for the beard... because she's a lady.  Just a trim!

I went to pick her up.   And I was speechless.  My little bundle of fur looked like.... looked like this... 

a meerkat....  mixed with...

ostrich...

Literally...

I wanted to cry.  I just kept saying her name to make sure she was mine.  I got in the car and immediately called my boyfriend, really unsure what to do.  Can I buy her a wig?  My biggest complaint was her face... she looked hairless.  She literally looked pathetic.   I drove by work to show him.  He assured me his dog growing up always looked a little different after a grooming but he wasn't prepared for this.  He opened my car door and literally could not stop laughing.  Laughing, laughing, laughing.  He was laughing "with her." 

We got home and I'm not making this up... she held it 4 1/2 hours outside her crate, which is record breaking.  I think she was too embarrassed to go out with a little sunlight.  She didn't want the other dogs on the street to see her!  OK, I'm a little ridiculous now.

Two days have passed since the happy scissors experience.  We've grown used to the "do"... I guess.  And thank goodness, it's just hair.  And in her case -- it grows.

So I guess I'm looking for a new groomer... anyone have any suggestions on where to take Miss Nittany or do you have other hair horror stories you want to share...

****UPDATED****

SO THIS IS BEFORE THE TRIM:

Notice the long locks!  Adorable, huh?

This is her after....

I know you are thinking, it's not that bad... but pictures don't do her justice!  It was BAD.  She had no hair on her chin... a total cat!

Fortunately, her hair growing and well, she so dang cute!  I keep telling myself that as she bites me.  Ouch, puppy teeth really hurt. 

Enjoy!

Look, I went to Penn State... even tutored football players.  I know how JoePa runs his program, I've seen firsthand.  And while most days, I strongly disagree with the playcalling or seniors playing ahead of sometimes more talented freshmen, I can't blame Paterno for the recent problems off the field.

A coach can only do so much.  He or she can set rules and then consequences for breaking the rules.  A coach can motivate his players to be better on the field and off.  But what an individual chooses to do is, well, up to him or her.  We all have rules to follow, it's called life. And we all have choices.  Are teachers to blame if every student doesn't learn a particular skill?  Are parents to blame if a son or daughter gets in trouble with the law?

Do I think Paterno has control over the team?  I'm not sure.  I'm not sure he has in recent years.  It would be like my grandfather, if still alive, was in charge of the team.  I really can't expect him to relate to many of the "things" that go on in today's world.  But still, no matter the generation, there's still right and wrong.  Paterno has surrounded himself by younger coaches and assistants who can relate to players.  Now, do you just boot all the bad eggs?  I'm not sure about that either.  There are plenty of examples of players who have been in trouble but turned themselves around after sitting out a couple games.

It's time that people take responsibilities for their own actions.  The spotlight shouldn't be on Paterno losing control (that's nothing new), but how there's little moral integrity to follow the rules.  I cannot remember a time when more Penn State football players have been in trouble than this year.  It started this spring with an off-campus fight, then numerous players cited for underage drinking and now, Paterno is admitting there may be a player involved in a fight at the HUB. 

Playing at Penn State is a privilege.  Being that athletic to compete at that level is an honor.  Many of the players are receiving free or reduced tuition.  Mind you, they put in plenty of time and energy.  On a lot of Saturdays, more than 100,000 people are cheering them on.  It's getting harder to clap.  It's time for the captains, the leaders of this team, to stand up and say enough.   Take responsibility for your own actions and instead of tackling someone on campus, leave it for Beaver Stadium.  You'll have plenty of drink (soda) at tailgates once you graduate.