I wish I had something more profound to say

So I've been thinking about Taylor Bradford, the University of Memphis student killed on campus, since Monday, and I felt like I should say something about it, but I didn't know what... I'm sorry if this is disjointed, it's just a gathering of my various streams of thought.

There are people who have said that this student athlete's murder would not have made national news were he not a football player. I don't agree. As a former band geek, I have traditionally been overly sensitive to athletes' special treatment, and I just don't see it here. Especially in the wake of the Virginia Tech tragedy, this would be news. Admittedly, it did receive more coverage given that ESPN was in town last night to broadcast a game-- a game scheduled oddly on Tuesday that coincidentally fell the night following the murder of a player. The emotion was higher and the tributes more powerful than they would have been had the game not been played til Saturday. But this guy? He wasn't (as far as anyone knows) murdered for being a football player. He was just a guy, apparently a really nice one, and he got shot on his way to get chicken wings.

I think about the fact that I lived in the very on-campus apartment complex in which this shooting occurred when I was an 18 year old freshman at the U of M. What would I have felt had this happened during that time? Would I be comforted by the fact that this is presumed to be a targeted shooting and not a random act of violence? Maybe. Maybe I would have returned to classes yesterday without concern for my own safety. However, while the police seem convinced that the shooting was not random, they also seem to have no clue who did it or why.

It makes me angry that the response of some people was, "well, there's Memphis for you." What? Cause students are shot and killed regularly on the U of M campus? No, I don't think so. I know that many people take great pleasure in pointing out Memphis' flaws, and it is a violent city, but campus murders just don't fall into that category. Campus is supposed to be different. Campus is supposed to be sacred. Maybe it's naive of me to think that about an urban University, especially one so open to outsiders.

I'm proud of my hometown. I didn't leave Memphis because of its ridiculous politics, because I hated it, because it was too violent, or even because of The Hot. And I refuse to think that Memphis has gotten to the point that this kind of thing is expected or usual or "normal." I hope that Memphians will support the U of M in doing whatever it needs to do to make the campus and its students safe.

That is all.

Be a woman.

I miss you, college football

It struck me the other day. Here, in the middle of Colorado, hours from Boulder, or Fort Collins, or Colorado Springs. Here I am hours from college football. And, I don't want to offend any of my new fellow Coloradoans, but... I'm thousands of miles from the BEST college football. Southern college football. Marching bands that all have names including the word "South" (Mighty Sound of the South, Pride of the Southland, Pride of the South). Dance lines with names like "The Dixie Darlings." Crazy manic fans, singing songs I love to hate (ahem, "Rocky Top"), or spraining their wrists to shake that cowbell just a little louder, or wearing pigs on their heads and hollering "Pig Soooie." I could be wrong, but I just don't see it happening here, where at a recent local high school football game there was the notable absence of both band and cheerleaders. Seriously.

Anyway, I was wallowing in self pity when I read this article and it just made me feel worse.

For example:

The entire South is about ready to explode as summer ends and autumn begins. Football's coming. The preseason magazines appear. Wallet-sized schedules materialize on gas station counters. Meals out are eaten over the soundtrack of folks predicting wins and losses -- and not just sports fans with fantasy teams and chicken wing sauce on their chins. No, grandmothers in Chanel and pearls get worked up -- I mean fired up, brother -- about beating LSU.

And...

I love most everything about Southern football, but more than anything else, I love for it to begin. This year, the twinges hit hard in mid-July. A work trip takes me to Cayce, near the South Carolina campus, where I find myself sitting at the counter of a local restaurant called the Kingsman. It's one of those places that seems as if it has been there forever, like the planets, or Styrofoam. I order a pimento cheeseburger. The Kingsman's famous for these gobs of cholesterol-laden goodness. They're messier than a small-town divorce, but damn, they're good. A woman works a hot griddle covered in sizzling, dancing meat. Then, apropos of nothing, she turns to a waitress who's calling in an order. The spirit's in her. And it's got to come out.

"Only 52 more days 'til football!" she hollers.

They've both stopped work for a moment. The waitress shakes her head.

"It's 51!" she hollers back.

The wait is almost over.

And also:

I love how people who get it are standing up in their office chairs right now ready to get it on and people who don't are scratching their heads and wondering what in the hell is wrong with these rednecks.

I get it. I'll be up and in front of College GameDay at like 8am tomorrow (Mountain time zone, you know). And I'll be living vicariously through those of you who will be there, so, holler extra loud for me, and if anybody asks, "What's the good word?" Give them the answer from me:

GO TO HELL OLE MISS!

Wish he was wearing it

I love it!





There is a Michael Vick Suspension Petition, sponsored by the Humane Society of the United States, and directed toward the NFL Commissioner. It reads:

Dear NFL Commissioner Goodell,

Dogfighting is cruel and criminal, and football players must be held accountable like anyone else. Please suspend Vick immediately - anything less would reflect very badly on your judgment, and on the league.

You can leave your own comments on the petition as well. They have 48,562 signatures so far!

To sign this petition, just follow this link.

Bowling

Well then.

My friends, family and I have been picking bowl games for the past three (I think?) years, not for money or anything, just for the glory of being House Champion as my BIL would say.

Reining and forever House Champion? That's right, it's me. I have won all three years.

I will say that I thought I was going out on a limb picking Florida. And I had to get that one right, if Ohio State had won then Mr. Incredible and I would have finished in a tie. But the Gators didn't fail me. In a big way.

So, yet again, I win. And Mr. Incredible has to pay up on our bet! He now owes me lots of smooches. :)

Tuesday Morning Quarterback

Well, I told DeAngelo Williams to step it up. Last night he did. He got the start last night on Monday Night Football with DeShaun Foster injured. With the Panthers struggling, it was really a great opportunity for him to make his mark, and come to the rescue. He did a great job, making some great runs and scoring a touchdown. I was very excited for him. But it wasn't enough. The Panthers couldn't hold off the Eagles. Maybe I'm a jinx on them too.

But just this one thing.


Here on the left we have Eagles' quarterback Jeff Garcia. On the right, Toby from "The Office." Separated at birth?

I think so.





If anybody needs a list of the bowl games, here's one you can use.

New Blog

Because I am both Tiger and blog obsessed, I've started a new blog. I copied several of my Tigers-related posts over there, so it wouldn't be sad and empty.

You can see it here: Go Tigers Go!

Hoopla

Sweet Lord, I was excited.

It was the first half of the game against Georgia Tech last Tuesday night. The Tigers looked incredible. Even when they were sloppy (or even sloopy, right you-know-who-you-are?) they were ass-kickin'. I liked the new unis. I liked the gameplan. I liked the swagger. I loved that they look like they're having FUN. I did wish we'd make more of our free throws. Pierre Niles? He is huge. Enormous. Just... huge. Chris "Buckets" Douglas-Roberts? My new favorite. Jeremy Hunt? Earning redemption. At halftime, the Tigers were up by sixteen and still rolling.

Then came the second half. And I have nothing to say about that.

So the Tigers managed to lose to Georgia Tech. But the next day they did beat Kentucky, and the season is now in full swing. I can't wait for March. I hope whatever job I get (*knock on wood*) will understand that I need to be off for the Madness. It's just the way it is.

To clarify the degree of my Tiger dedication, I give the following information: there was a ten season span between when I started at U of M as a freshman and when I finished law school (yes, ahem, that's longer than usually required). During those ten seasons, I missed maybe five home games. Maybe. I've been waiting a long long time, my friends. I've paid my dues. I am NOT a fair-weather fan. And every year, I think, "this could be the year." But really, this year? This COULD be the year. ;)

Also? The University of Memphis FOOTBALL Tigers won a game. Yes, I'll say it again. They WON A GAME. The last game of the season. It wasn't on TV. I didn't see it happen. But according to ESPN.com, the Tigers beat UTEP last night 38 to 19, and in the process acted the spoiler and prevented UTEP from being bowl eligible. So, I say Go Tigers. And? There's always another season right around the corner. See you in September.

Also also? I hate watching sports not in HD. I've gotten so spoiled that I keep thinking the focus is blurry on regular shows.

**Many thanks to Morgen, for being Morgen, which is AWESOME. You rock.

Save the Cheerleader....

Save the World! Heroes is such a good show. I love love LOVE it. Tonight's the big night, we get to find out what saving the Cheerleader is all about (shameless plug: I'm selling "Heroes" shirts in my store, if you're interested).

Also, Grey's Anatomy. Sadie loves Grey's Anatomy. Sadie thinks that Bailey is awesome and Sadie can't wait for Bailey to go postal on Cristina. Sadie wishes Izzie and Alex would get back together (shameless plug #2: Sadie's selling GA shirts, too).

And today the Tigers play Oklahoma on ESPN2 at 1:30pm Central Time, if anybody wants to check out my favorite team. We are currently ranked #11 in ESPN/USA Today poll and #12 in the AP, and these three days of games will be very telling for the season. They will definitely affect how we are viewed in the national scene for the time being. We are favored by 6 right now, so I hope that we will do well. GO TIGERS.

I got reviewed on Frog My Blog! And the reviewer, Ms. Hopsalot, is my new best friend...

Favorite Football Name of the Week: Manumaleuna

Hodgepodge

I swear I'm not going to pimp my sister's blog constantly, but my niece is the cutest kid ever.

Well, the Panthers won last night, but DeAngelo better step it up. I know he hadn't played in like a month, but... Dude. This ain't playtime.

NBC has placed "Six Degrees" on the mysterious hiatus status. Why don't they just say it was cancelled? I liked that show. I'm really loving "Heroes," though, so if you don't watch it and you're looking for something, I highly recommend it.

OMG! Rosie O'Donnell just sang "Sadie, Sadie, Married Lady!" Following the story about how Iman told her NOT to name her baby Sadie. Harumph. Update: this was an old story, about the daughter that Rosie named Chelsea instead of Sadie. No new baby that I know of.

Football Misery

I don't know why every weekend I still allow my hopes to spring up. Seriously. The Tigers were playing UCF, a team with a similarly disappointing season. Maybe we could make it happen. Mr. Incredible and I did not make use of our season tickets and instead watched the game on TV, for several reasons, including the cold snap that overtook Memphis yesterday, the fact that the Tigers are Sultans of Suck, neither one of us was feeling particularly good, and the game was conveniently (and unusually) televised which seemed to be a sign from the heavens that we should just stay home (plus, that way we got to switch channels and watch the Vols lose to the Hogs. Sweet!). So anyway. After the game opened with two 3-and-outs for the Tigers and two touchdowns for the Golden Knights, I thought it was going to be another humiliating blowout debacle. But the Tigers pulled it together and we were tied up at 17 at the half. At that point, I allowed it to happen. I allowed that little part of me to take over, the part that can't give up the optimism. And with two minutes left in the game, the Tigers were down by 2 points and had the ball. Right then, I just knew we were going to win. The losing streak was over.

I was wrong. Again. We lost. Again. Thank goodness basketball starts on Thursday. Finally.

Favorite football name of the week: Karibi Dede (thanks to Mya Pinyan for finding him)
Favorite combination of football names on the same field (from week one's Ark v. USC game): Nutt, Dick, and Booty

Sunday Summary

Sorry, DeAngelo. I missed it.

Tonight, the University of Memphis retired DeAngelo Williams' number in a pre-game ceremony. Sunday nights are not for going to college football games. Especially when your team is phenomenally sucktastic like the Tigers. So I didn't go. And from what I could see of the crowd on ESPN, I wasn't the only one. I'm sad that he didn't get a better celebration, but it wasn't enough to get me out of the house tonight. As I type this, the Tigers are losing 21-0 in the first quarter. So I can't say I'm sorry I'm not there.

And, so. Tomorrow is the first day of the rest of my life, as it were. I have a lot of decisions to make... what kind of job to look for, can I afford to be too picky, does the job I want actually exist, etc. I wish I had smacked the gum popper one good time on my way out, but alas, I did not. Perhaps if I had time for the shock to wear off I might have taken the opportunity. I did take a handful of my favorite pens, and I told her so as I left. So There.

By way of explanation for my unexpected unemployment, my firm decided they did not have need for a junior associate. Conveniently for them, they made this decision in time to avoid paying me a holiday bonus, on which I was eagerly counting. Conveniently for me, they made the decision in time for me to... um... well I did say that I wanted to stay home with Merlin. So, there's that.

I know that I can use it as an opportunity to move on to greener pastures. But I really, really HATE looking for the greener pastures. Hate. Greener pastures, if you're reading this, call me.

Favorite Football Names This Week: Sam Olajubutu, Ryan Succop

Monday Mélange

What a horrible horrible football weekend. All our favorite teams lost: the Tigers (big freakin' surprise there), the Steelers, the Broncos, the Bengals, and the Panthers! What the? I guess I can cheer for the Patriots tonight. They do have a great kicker, you know.

You know what? Let's just move on to basketball. Please.

The ESPN/USA Today preseason poll has the Tigers at #14. I don't know enough yet about other teams to be pissed we're not in the top 10. But hey, #14 ain't bad. I'm not complaining.

My favorite football names for the week: Chad Mustard, Nnamdi Asomugha

And for a Halloween cutie:

Monday Miscellany

Why do student sections chant "Over-Rated" when they're beating a ranked team? Isn't that like saying "You can't be that good if we can beat you, cause we suck!" Doesn't seem like something to be proud of, is all.

As I was watching Texas and Nebraska play in the snow I realized: I've never been to a football game in the snow. I've been very hot, very cold, or very wet, but never with snow. I wanna live where it snows! Just for a little while.

I got nothin' about the Tigers. There's nothing to say, really.

I'm tired of the Colts. I really like Petyon Manning's commercials (especially the one where he asks the grocery guy to sign the melon) but, seriously. They bore me. They need to lose or something. Manning takes a hit that made me cringe, looked like it should break his neck and his arm and he just... comes back into the game? What? They need some drama in Indianapolis.

My current favorite football names: Houshmandzadeh, Polamalu, and Taz Knockum.

Various and Sundry Items

I love those Jimmy Dean commercials. The ones where the guy is the Sun? Hilarious. They make me laugh early in the morning, and that is not an easy task (the "why?" one is my favorite).

"Some people contend it's too early for basketball. Not in this town, it's not." Truer words were never said. And I'm ready. Less than a month remains before the first regular season game. I see we have Arkansas State on the schedule at the end of November. Bring it on, my blue wearing hoopsters. Bring. It. On.

Speaking of Arkansas State, I thought I was recovering from a crappy football experience, but I gotta give it up for Arizona Cardinals fans. Dude. That sucked. It was one thing losing a close game in the final seconds (or actually, after the final seconds) but to lose a 20 point lead? In 22 minutes? You win, Arizona Cardinals fan, you win.

Special K snack bars are really tasty. Like Rice Krispy treats, really.

TV schedule update: I'm giving up on "Without a Trace" and "Ugly Betty." "Criminal Minds" is gone too. I really meant to watch "Dancing with the Stars" but it just didn't happen, although I plan to tune in tonight and see what Sara Evans has to say, poor woman. I still haven't watched "The Amazing Race" but I'm saving all the episodes on my DVR for a marathon some weekend. I am finally catching up on some "Desperate Housewives" so it looks like it'll get to stay on the schedule for now. My spreadsheet looks so much more manageable than it did 2 months ago!

Look at this punkin. Isn't he cute?

Unbelievable

I've never seen anything like it. There was no time left on the clock. And the pass flew 52 improbable yards. When the mass of players jumped into the air, I thought surely a Tiger would be able to snag it. Surely, a guy in a blue shirt would come down with the ball and our 23-20 victory would be saved. But fate disagreed, and an Arkansas State player snatched the ball out of the air and killed our hopes of turning around the season with a victory. It was remarkable and amazing and heartbreaking. It was the straw that broke the back of any hope that the Tigers might not suck quite so completely. They do. Suck. Completely.

When does basketball season start?

Here it is

Well. Never let it be said that I don't honor my bets. I know I'm five days late, but better late than never. Enjoy. I'm gonna hurl.

Well.

Yeah. Well, I said maybe not this year. I guess we can call that the understatement of the century. So stay tuned, I intend to honor my bet.

One Day More

I was just going to let tomorrow come without mentioning it here... But I guess I can't stop myself.

Tomorrow, at a ridiculously early hour (8am isn't THAT early, I know, but it is a Saturday), I will find myself, clad in blue, arriving at Liberty Bowl Stadium. The stadium holds 62,338 people. I predict at least half will not be similarly clad in blue, but rather in Orange. It's that time again.

It has been ten years since a game between the Tigers and the Vols ended on a happy note for Tiger fans. Ten years have passed, but still that night stands as The Best Sports Experience of my life. One of the reasons it was such monumental win was the very fact that we expected a blowout loss. I don't even think I paid much attention for most of the game, because who wants to watch a butt kicking? I went to the game that night with my camera, not expecting to have anything in particular to shoot, but because it was the next to last home game of the season, and I wanted to get some pictures of the marching band (yes, I know, I'm a huge band geek). I did not take either of these photos, by the way. The only one of mine that came out was of the scoreboard, although that's certainly a nice shot.

The crowd was loud and raucous (they even cheered like crazy for the band's halftime show), and though we didn't expect an upset, there was something different and electric in the air. When the game was over, we were as shocked as the Vol fans were. I remember the way they sat there, in stunned silence, while the field flooded with Tiger students and fans. The goal posts came down quickly under the weight of players and fans. Stadium security tried to prevent one group of fraternity boys from taking an entire upright out (six or seven of them carried it on their shoulders), so they marched up to the top of the stadium, intending to DROP IT OVER THE SIDE so they could have their souvenir. Fortunately, security decided to ease up rather than to risk lives, and pieces of goal posts were (safely) taken home by many of the revelers. Of course, since I was in the band, I wasn't able to storm the field. We remained in the stands, and just kept playing until our chops were worn out.

The more time that passes, the sillier it might seem to reminisce about that game. It was, after all, ten years ago. That is a long time, especially in college football (today's players were still in elementary school in 1996). And it didn't mark the beginning of a new era; it wasn't the first in a string of wins over Tennessee-- we have yet to beat the Vols again-- and the Tigers didn't become a powerhouse. Some Tennessee fans scoff and say, "even a blind squirrel finds a nut every once in a while." Maybe that's true, but some things have changed. The more recent games have not been the cakewalk for Tennessee they used to be, and Vol fans (some Vol fans) have become less friendly, more defensive, even sometimes hostile. While they may refuse to acknowledge the existence of an actual rivalry (we're not good enough for that), no longer do they pat us on the head, chuckling over their little brother trying to tag along. The games since that night-- the competition tougher, the scores closer-- have taunted them, but teased us. For us, they have planted seeds of hope, encouraging our faith, egging on our dreams of another victory.

And another victory will come.

Maybe not tomorrow.

But it will come. And I hope I'm there to see it.

Monday Musings

So... Do I look older?

I had a good birthday. We stayed home, Mr. Incredible grilled steaks for dinner, and gave the dogs baths so they could come inside, and we all had birthday cake (homemade by Mr. Incredible). I got roses, Season 2 of Grey's Anatomy on DVD, and will be getting a Carolina Panthers DeAngelo Williams jersey when they come in stock (looks like this one).

And? The Panthers got their first win of the season, on the strength of John Kasay's leg and apparently at the expense of Tampa Bay quarterback Chris Simms' spleen. Finally! I was really beginning to worry about my new favorite team.

Laurence Maroney of the New England Patriots should totally nickname himself Baloney Maroney. Cause that's what I'm calling him now. Made it up myself during last night's game against the Broncos. It has a nice ring to it.

My Fall TV schedule is already being changed. "Justice" was put on "hiatus," though not officially canceled. Can't say I'm heartbroken. I love Victor Garber, but the show just wasn't holding up against the other shows on my overcrowded DVR. "Vanished" dropped off my radar as well, mostly because I'm already falling behind on my TV watching and it's not even two weeks into the season. Mr. Incredible has added "Jericho" to the schedule, though we haven't had time to watch it. I also haven't gotten around to watching "Men in Trees," so I think that I'm just going to forget about it, even though I've heard good things. So far I'm sticking with "Six Degrees," "Shark," and "Studio 60," and of course "Grey's Anatomy," "Earl," and "The Office." Definitely looking forward to next week and the premiere of "LOST" and "The Nine."
Here's the updated spreadsheet.