SCRATCH That ...

You know that previous post ... well ... disregard it all. John Beilein is staying put at WVU.

Isn't that 4 strikes now against the Wolfpack? This is too strange.

Herb 2.0

Is It Just Me ... Or do these two guys Look a LOT a like?
It was just this past weekend I was traveling through beautiful downtown Wake Forest. Trying to grab some of Shorty's Famous Hot Dogs, I was secretively mumbling under my breath my disdain for the town's annual "Herbfest" celebration.

That downtown event was keeping me from my beloved Shorty's dogs. One thing did, however, cross my mind. What if instead of "Herbfest" State fans had hosted "HERBfest?"

With the disastorous spill this coaching search has been, there can be little doubt Herb Sendek is receiving some small measure of vendication. Now, don't get me wrong. Maybe it was best for all side Herbie the Love Bug hung up the red S and head out west.

I'm not saying Herb was the greatest coach in NC State history. I am saying, however, Herb received a lot of grief he didn't deserve. He's a classy guy. He ran a clean program.

So, why not HERBfest? A little bit of love may have kept the balding, chewing gum smacking, dry witted coach here. But, alas, we chose not to have HERBfest. Instead, we're left to settle for HERB v2.0

Now that Steve Lavin has said "No Thanks" to Lee Fowler and Wendell Murphy, serious contract talks are underway with John Beilein of West Virginia. And ... he's the coach NC State fans probably least wanted.

While Beilein has won at every program he's coached, he still runs a version of the Princeton offense Sendek was oft criticized for. So, instead of Rick Barnes or Steve Lavin, you're left with HERB v2.0.

Sure, it's an improvement over the last version. But ... will it quiet the wolves howls? Only time will tell. One bit of advice: when the upgraded program doesn't work ... many people prefer to return to their previous installed version. Give it 4 or 5 years. If that doesn't work, someone needs to make a call out to Tempe, AZ.

Phee Phee Phi Phumb ... I See a Little Gupton

The first pics are in for the next addition to the Gupton Household.

Isn't life amazing? I'm going to have to cave on finding out what we're having this go around. I've talked Hannah out of it both times before. This time, 'Mama' is going to win. We'll find out what we're having May 31st.

I could be wrong, but I think I saw a future NC State basketball player in there. Then again, with things moving the way they are in West Raleigh .... that may be the Wolfpack's next coach.

Speaking of the WOLFPACK -- the N & O's online Blog "ACC Now" is reporting tonight West Virginia Coach John Beilein has moved in front of Steve Lavin for the hottest job in College Basketball.

Whether he comes to Raleigh to replace the disenchanted Herb Sendek remains to be seen. More at: http://blogs.newsobserver.com/accnow/index.php

Finally, while demolition continues on the former Sheraton at Crabtree Valley, the developers of the new Soleil Center want to add yet another tower to the already mamoth 43-story project. Now, I don't know about you, but having Raleigh's tallest skyscraper away from downtown is going to be odd enough. What are these guys thinking? Is Raleigh going to have a new metro destination other than downtown?

By the way -- Raleigh's Skyline has been visible from Capital Boulevard in Wake Forest for about three years now. Call it progress -- it was the result of acres of trees cut down for the area now inhabited by Super Target and Home Depot.

http://www.wral.com/news/8992260/detail.html

Ain't Nothin' Like The Real Thing, Baby.

Now this is a learning experience. Don't fool yourself. (Okay -- so you're not.)

Hope you can listen to the first AUDIO post on the blog. You'll agree I'm working the bugs out. By this time tomorrow, I'll be making some serious entries. Hey, if WRAL's Mike Moss can have a blog ... anybody can have a blog.

Check out the audio, and look for the serious posts starting tomorrow.

Speaking of tomorrow ... I'll give you a sneak peak at the latest addition to the Gupton household. Oh, yes. If you didn't already know ... there's going to be a third Gupton spawn. Plus, we'll dive right into the NC State coaching situation.

Look for a mix of politics, news, sports, and typical good old North Carolina life right here at fivesecondstoair.

Until Next Time ... Enjoy Life, People.

The Very FIRST Audio Post

Dan the Man would be proud of Henderson's News Leader for the Nineties. Even the former anchor of the CBS Evening News is in awe of Randy's first AUDIO post.

STAY TUNED: Five Seconds To Air ... Is Next!

You know, watching WRAL-TV 5 News as a teenager, I remember rushing to hear Charlie Gaddy tease the 6 o'clock news by saying much the same "STAY TUNED. WRAL-TV News ... Is Next!"

Wow. Glad that phase of my life is over. Still, broadcasting has been a very important part of my life.

This blog will be a new endeavor for me. In the coming days, you'll be able to learn a little bit more about Randy Gupton in the new millenium. Gone are the days of undying affection for Action News 5. A little more mature, a little heavier than most people remember, and very happy in my life -- that's how you can pretty much sum it all up.

Hope you enjoy the blog. Until we really get crankin' ... Enjoy Five Seconds To Air, People.