Tiger Woods Wreck

A fire hydrant, tree and pitching wedge damaged Tiger's whip at 2:30 am on the morning of Nov. 27. A deer damaged my foreign at 2:00 am on that same morning. Has anyone checked where Obama's ride was at 2:00 am that morning???

Aggie Deer

Why did the deer cross the highway? Because it was an Aggie. Comedic relief aside for a sentence, Brian and I are safe. We figured that driving home from the game during the late hours of the night would be the smart choice considering we needed to study for finals. I have since reconsidered the soundness of that decision. I have learned that no journey is complete until in bed at home. This is so because many times, the return is the hardest part. The details are ordinary: 70 mph (the speed limit), the lane closest to the shoulder, and within the Houston city limits. Then it hit. The damn deer must have just done its Christmas shopping because we were right in front of Katy Mills mall when it happened. I also know this because it was carrying presents in its attempt to get to the tree-filled area on the other side of the freeway. The Aggie deer hit us mid-air. It futilely jumped over the concrete wall dividing the feeder road from the Highway. This is the theory I have constructed based on the evidence we have. Neither of us saw Bambi prior to the deer slobber on the windshield. Lucky for us, because obviously we were brandishing the luck of the Irish at this point, there was a Denny's restaurant a couple concrete wall climbs away so we were able to enjoy a Grandslam Breakfast as we awaited the tow truck and cops. Eventually the Katy police came, took pictures, and performed their duties. The cop emailed me the pictures so thats why I have the official PETA gag gift postcard photos that are posted. They took one look at the car and asked me "how big was the thing???" The implication being that the deer had to be big for the damage caused. This was my first white-tail buck. Truthfully, I will never have any qualms with buck hunting in the winter. Lets just call it revenge. In sum, this was a freak occurrence. An omen in my opinion. Maybe a sign from the heavens or maybe from the opposite place. Regardless of what it means, I know what it was, an Aggie deer trying to take us out. And it almost did.

Rome and 300

49-39 was the final score. The Texas Longhorns will play in Dallas on Saturday for the Big 12 Championship despite a valiant, yet unsuccessful effort. A friend of mine seems to think the Aggies were like the legendary 300 Spartan men that fought against the Persian empire. As if it was a stand against the bigger, stronger, faster, more well-equipped, and more powerful. That sounds about right. Except I would liken the UT football team to Rome at this point. We are on top, have been for a while, and even though Rome falls eventually I don't see us burning down anytime soon. A&M can have their Alamo victories. We will continue conquering foreigners. Michigan, USC, Ohio State have all been engulfed, Nebraska and hopefully Florida will be added to the map soon enough.

12th Person

Longhorns fans, we need to get it together. Seriously. There is something at which A&M is absolutely, no doubt about it, embarrassingly better than us: CHEERING. I don't expect us to bend over and sway, nor do I want us to whoop!, nor should all of our traditional chants revolve around another school, but we have to effect a game the way that Aggie fans do. I could feel it. Way up in the elevation of section 532, in between nosebleeds and spells of oxygen sickness, I was overwhelmed by the noise. The Aggies call it the 12th Man. I call it the politically correct 12th Person. By any name, we need what they have, and that is a crowd that makes for an incredible college football atmosphere. Combined with the sea of purple-brown-maroon, the white towels waving, and the all-male cheerleading team it also makes for an intimidating if not chaotic one as well.

Brothers

Texas A&M is a brother of the University of Texas at Austin. Actually, it is more like the second born, or middle child of the family that is Texas universities. The school's successes, engineering, service, agriculture, etc. are generally overlooked and overshadowed by the successes of the first born, burt orange wearing, talented older brother. In football, the younger brother constantly surprises by effort and heart. The oldest won't always win the impromptu wrestling matches and from time to time is overwhelmed by the unexpected. I use the analogy as it is rather apt to the relationship of school's as it plays out in Texas society and from a national perspective. Just as younger brothers, the people of Texas A&M were very hospitable. For such an intense rivalry we encountered little in the way of jeering or unfounded trash talk argument. There is no hate between family (unlike with the bad neighbor Oklahoma Sooners) but a mutual respect with the inevitable clash - as between brothers. This would only prove to be more true on the football field that night.

The Corp?

So the Aggies have this group called "The Corp." I am not exactly sure what it is all about. I do know a few things: Sophomores ornament themselves with the nametag "Pissheads," they kiss the closest girl in the vicinity (hopefully a girlfriend) after the Aggies luckily find the end zone, and they have been around for too long. I respect the undertaking of armed service more than any other occupation in the country. However, I am not sure that is what is going on here. I am not educated on the matter, but for all my years in Texas have never been convinced of their legitimacy as well. In fact, their existence, in context, eerily evokes images in my mind of a defeated regime of old. A&M is not Westpoint and College Station is not Annapolis. I applaud informed tradition but the image above is not an inviting one.

Thanksgiving Ticket

We depart for Houston and the Thanksgiving long weekend tomorrow. If I didn't get the blog tick and feel the burning desire for a quick break from the corporate duty of loyalty I probably would have left my ticket to the game at home. The all-powerful piece of perforated paper has been pinned to my corkboard collage for the last few weeks. That mud-colored purple football helmet has been interrupting the color scheme on my wall for a while now. It had been there for so long I likely would have overlooked it in my packing - but I didn't. College Station and the Lonestar Showdown is just two days away. With ticket-in-hat I will arrive in H-town.

Eliminated

The final score was 42-22 and not in our favor. The score, like all statistics in sports, doesn't convey the spirit of the game accurately. The score doesn't show the long sustained drives, the failed red zone series, the hits, the weather, the intensity, and most importantly the heart shown. Even so, a state championship continues to elude the Lutheran North Lions. With the final whistle I departed Temple and began the drive back to Austin, away from high school memories of the Lions and back to the memories in the making with the Longhorns.

Cold Rainy Night Game

The conditions for the game were not ideal. They were even less ideal for those of us traveling from afar. The rainy mist never dissipated, the temperature stayed consist at 54 degrees, and the wind only added insult to injury. A true fan endures the cold...but also blasts the heater in the car at half-time.

1 Team 1 Heartbeat

I would like to declare that I still have deep seeded love for my high school football team, in case it is not obvious. At one time I was the quarterback and now I am an alumni fan. Once this lawyer thing gets rolling I will be a booster and after that likely a coach. I don't love it because it was the best time of my life but because it helped create the times that I am having now. The sideline sweatshirts read "1 team, 1 heartbeat." Regardless of the time that has passed I still feel that I am part of that theme.

2 State Championships

Also, if you win a state championship here your name is forever engraved on stone tablets 10 commandments style.

Temple Wildcat Stadium

One of the best parts of high school football is traveling for away games. For the 2nd round of the playoffs my Lutheran North met Liberty Christian on a neutral field in Temple. A field in one of the grandest high school stadium's I have ever seen. I guess when you win 2 state championships you are allowed to invest in skyboxes and a replay screen.

Schoepf's BBQ

I now enjoy eating. This might not be a breakthrough for some but it is for me. Ham sandwiches and cheetos have gotten me this far, but now I am back in Texas. Back in a place that makes a list of the top 50 BBQ joints in the state: Link. This state believe access to healthcare and cooking barbecue is a competition. I am still undecided on the former but the latter creates some tremendous results. Since I was driving to Temple anyway I figured I would knock out another BBQ joint off that list and Schoepf's restaurant was the target. It was worthy of a place on the top 50 because of the flavor filled venison sausage. $40 and 3lbs of food later I was filled and ready for the game.

Belmont, TX

Belmont, TX is located off I-35 North just outside of Temple, TX I am becoming more and more intrigued by the culture of the small Texas town. Having decided to spend my life in the organized chaos of the large city it is in these rural parts that I can find refuge. The unexpected is refreshing in these Meccas of consistency and conservatism. This piece of art caught my eye and captures the allure to which I refer. It involves American innovation, industrialism, muscle, and religion.

2nd Round Playoffs

My Alma Mater Lutheran High North is in the 2nd round of the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools 4A football playoffs. The game is Friday under the lights in Temple, TX. I will be there - donning my '03 district champs t-shirt that will likely fit me like an Affliction shirt.

Away Games

Back here in Texas football is the object of our idolatry. My friend across the pond in London expressed the oddity in that devotion but I explained it in this way: Football is the event in the Fall by which life here revolves and persists. I relate it to alcohol, in the way that so many societies' social interactions here and abroad uses drink as the pole to dance around. Football games allow us to make preparations, to pregame party, to tailgate, to watch, to go out after and celebrate, and/or to go out after and drown our sorrows. We go to work or school for 4 days and then indulge ourselves in High School Friday nights, college football Saturdays, and NFL Sundays - and then we do it all over again. Many novels have been written on all that is great about the game and its place here in Texas, so I will refrain from authoring another here. But there is another important effect of the game and that is that it gives us a reason to travel. Away games are half of the season and almost without our conscious recognition give us the much needed escape from that which is comfortable and constant. Over the next two weeks I will be traveling to Temple, TX and College Station, TX for games. Football gives me a reason to travel.

Mountain West Conference Champs

I'm glad I waited to post about my Ft. Worth trip because since the TCU game San Diego State has proceeded to win the Mountain West Conference Championship. The team will be playing the NCAA tournament. Yeah, that's my cousin in the bottom right corner wearing her champions hat.

Just One Night

My plan was to make a full weekend trip out of the 3 hour drive to Ft. Worth from Austin but ultimately it was just one night. But it was a beautiful one. My cousin's squad destroyed TCU 4-1 in front of a crowd of alumni in town for homecoming weekend. Afterwards we joined the team for an authentic Texas barbecue meal complete with styrofoam cups and deer trophies hanging on the wall. The best trips don't have to be 45 day backpacking excursions in which health and life are put at risk. It can be as simple as one night in a different place with a satisfying event. The night and the victory were certainly satisfying.

The Squad

The San Diego State Women's Soccer Team

National Anthem

"Oh say can you see...."

Field Pass

As I become more and more intoxicated with the art of photography I am gaining the necessary confidence to inject myself into locations to get the best shot. At a sporting event this is obviously field level. Unsure of the protocol for permission to be on the sideline I decided to just hop down off the bleachers and just risk the embarrassment of being told to get back in the stands. I was there long enough to get this shot.

Real Art

I have conceded that Jackson Pollack paintings constitute art (follow me here). I have reluctantly given up fighting on the matter, but I personally find the end product itself to be unworthy of respect. The reason: I can create his art. I highly respect that which I can not do. Last Friday, I travelled to Ft. Worth to watch my cousin play for the NCAA division 1 San Diego State women's soccer team. She is a student-athlete and a good one at that. She is doing something I didn't do and something many couldn't ever have done. Over the course of my younger cousin's life I have been a distant witness to her work ethic, the years of playing club soccer, the deflating injuries, playing time challenges, the defeats and triumphs. I watched with extreme pride as her dream came to fruition on that field in Ft. Worth under the soccer stadium lights. It was art in motion and an accomplishment for which I have the utmost respect.

Most Powerful Game on Earth

Palestinian Women's Team Video

There are no coincidences. There is no such thing as luck. As dramatic an introduction as the preceding sentences create, the point here is simple: the more you read, travel, listen, and become exposed the more likely life will play out like a scripted movie. One is reminded of this in unbelievable fashion - like when I reencountered a backpacker I initially met in Granada, Nicaragua in the train station in Marseilles, France. Or it can occur in a much more subtle way. For instance, like when I listened to Smetana's The Moldau, a song I had randomly placed on my ipod, for weeks on my Euro trip and then heard it playing through the public speakers at the Prague (the place of his birth) train platform. The one here belongs on the subtle end of the "that's crazy" spectrum. I came across this article/video in the New York Times and got the "thats crazy" feeling. The article and video are powerful because they convey a message of the same quality. It will also serve as the lens by which I will view my trip to Ft. Worth on Friday. There, I will watch my cousin Marisa and her women's soccer team, San Diego State University, take on the home team Texas Christian University. Watch the video here about the Palestinian Women's team.

Victory

It was a victorious weekend in so many ways. I didn't lose my camera, I got some studying done for my midterm, I ate some fried foods, and the Longhorns won the game. Like I said about Mardi Gras last year, I will never miss this weekend again. I hope some readers enjoyed the rated G version of my first Red River Rivalry. It will be the first of many. Oh yeah, and OU Sucks.

Tailgating the Boulevard

I lived 5 minutes from SMU's campus for an entire year and never ventured across the freeway to their infamous tailgating. I think they have a slogan something like "we tailgate harder than you party." (?) Either way, that statement is true. The former president of Ole Miss brought the tradition with him from his previous university when getting hired on at SMU. It is essentially the most well-funded and organized tailgating scene of which I have been a part. On the lower lawn are the alumni and the upper lawn consists of, very well-funded, fraternities and sororities. We hung in the upper end. Food, beer, and eye candy everywhere. Without trying to sound like too much of a single, back in college, male, I do want to offer that if Jessica Simpson is objectively beautiful then SMU has the most beautiful girls I have ever seen on a college campus. But enough of that.

SMU v. Navy

Leaving the Cotton Bowl didn't mark the end of football or debauchery, it was only half the battle as they say. Brian, a graduate of Southern Methodist University, easily convinced us to tailgate and attend the game versus Navy. So in full burnt orange attire we proceeded to cheer for the red and blue Mustangs. SMU's campus, facilities, and stadium are all pristine. Overall it is very impressive and the small school atmosphere was comfortable - alot more like what my undergraduate experience was like. Um, bad football team and all.

Fried Oreos

If there was ever a food that was both disgusting and delicious at the same time it was the fried oreo. Your heart beats a little faster with each extension of the arm to grab another - not out of excitement but more out of worry I think. One of them is worth it, eating all five isn't. It is probably a good thing that the fried butter line was too long for me to justify waiting.

Corn Dog

The corn dog is kind of a big deal around here. I mean truthfully on the totem pole of processed meat corn dogs have to be closer to the bottom. Don't get me wrong, I respect a good mustard soaked fried piece of meat on a stick, but I just don't say prayers to it like some might. Now a turkey leg, that's something worthy of a bow. And another thing, I don't like that they use the word "corney" as opposed to "corn," it just doesn't roll off the tongue. Here is Brian making his second appearance on the big stage aka my blog.

Belly Dancers

BELLY dancers.

Big Tex

Big Tex...

...who, by the way, talks and is very informative and welcoming.

Texas State Fair

So there are some other ongoings that I need to talk about. Life isn't only about football I guess. The Texas State Fair takes place each year as part of the football - or vice versa. The fair is complete with impossible to win games, ferris wheel, food, sideshows, and all kinds of sights. Exhausted from the game we spent minimal time meandering through the throngs of fans. I must admit I was hoping to see some good ol' jeering going on but there was none of that. Turns out we Texans/Oklahomans have a tremendous amount of class and respect for each other. Where were the fights? the thrown beers? the obscenities? I thought this was gonna be the southern version of Yankees-Red Sox. It wasn't.

Face of Defeat

Sad OU cheerleader.

16 - 13

The win wasn't pretty but neither are Oklahoma fans. Something like 8 turnovers between the two teams made for a seat-of-your-chair game. That is, if we even used our seats. We stood for the game's entirety. Today at the law school students could barely talk from cheering and most were still red from the 4 hour tanning session - complete with sunglasses tan lines. Additionally, I think a hangover is a prerequisite to entering the stadium turnstiles. It was a hard fought victory for the teams and fans. I dread to think that one day I might not walk out of that situation victorious. For now, I don't have to do such a thing, as we came out on top and still in the hunt for a national championship, 16 - 13.

T.E.X.A.S.

The field.

Gang Signs

Everyone needs a gang sign. We can detest violent gangs for alot of things, but not for their hand signals. We as Americans are obsessed with them. A&M has its thumbs, Texas Tech has its hand pistols, SMU has its bunny/pony ears, Houston has the double entendre index, middle, and pinky cougar paw, and the University of Texas has the best of them all. It is not the best because we are the better football team, but because we flash it with pride every time and everywhere. Whenever I travel to a new place in the world I always take at least two pictures with the most important landmarks: one normal smiling and one with the horns raised proud. As unorthodox as I am, I am certain this is the norm for many a Texas fan. It is part of us, it is a source of pride, and it is the visual representation of that which we love.

Parting the Red River

In the Bible Moses is said to have parted the Red Sea - you know so he could lead his people across. Well down here in Texas the dividing occurs at the Red River. The river creates the border between Texas and Oklahoma and no one is swimming across it in search of a better football team. For those of you outside the contiguous 48 states, the Bronx, South Boston, or Mars Oklahoma wears red and Texas burnt orange. In the Cotton Bowl, Red separates from Orange, not in cranberry orange juice cocktail kind of way but more in a grocery store apples and oranges fruit section kind of way. In a back and forth game, as this one was, half the stadium will go silent as the other erupts in a raucous. Thankfully, at the final whistle, those of us in orange weren't the ones to go silent. For those in red, it was as if the waters came crashing down.

Hate

I heard the motor overhead as I had just finished reading a few ESPN articles about the BCS standings. I walked out of my apartment on to the balcony and looked up. There flying high, at at an altitude safely out of canon range, was a crop duster type plane circling the UT campus. Trailing behind the tail in a distinct red font were the words "Get over it." Last year, after having beaten Oklahoma in beautiful fashion at the last Red River Rivalry, the computers granted them the opportunity to play against Florida in the BCS national championship. We had the same record as, and had beaten the team that was selected over us to play for the holy grail. Hence: get over it. I swore on that balcony to respectably hate OU for the duration of my ability to distinguish orange from red. I saw these women on the way to the game. They must have seen the plane too.

Getting There

Getting to the game was a journey in itself. Still under the influence of an open-bar party we all rallied by 9:30. We took down some breakfast and headed to the DART - rail system. Turns out OU fans have some foresight and decided to do the same, thereby making it near impossible to catch a train as they were all full to capacity. At our transfer station we exited and caught an unbelievably convenient cab to the stadium instead. We hustled into the fair grounds and then up to the cotton bowl. BUT, not before I spotted the Dean of the University of Texas Law School walking solo. I waltzed up to him and kidded him about being lost. I shook his hand, kissed his ring, handed him my resume, and then ran off.

Red River Party

I have no pictures of the $63 open bar Red River Party at Eddie Dean's Ranch in downtown Dallas so I am just going to put this one of me up. Unofficial dress code: Polo button down oxfords, light blue wranglers, and boots made of a once breathing animal. 4 or 5 or 6 (who's counting?) bars were accessible and a live band did covers of all genres of music. Oh yeah, and there was a mechanical bull - shoutout to Brian. There was an ending to the night I'm told. A search for cabs an an eventual arrival back to SMU. It was well worth the money.

So Cool

I'm not even going to give this post more than the few lines it deserves. Brian is wearing his high school varsity football t-shirt. I look like something that broke out of jail and robbed a UT Co-Op. We appear awful because we were doing something awful at the time. The Corporations midterm on monday doomed me to a few hours of studying at the SMU library before the partying could begin. So there we are, leaving the library. Lame.

Back in Big D

I'm disturbed by how time has been an elusive concept over the last few years - First year of law school can cause it. It wasn't until I saw the Dallas skyline that I could comprehend that I had not been back to the city since I drove the Uhaul to Austin a full year and 2 months ago. My accompanying friend Brian had not been back to Dallas since graduating from college. It was a homecoming for the both of us. But all nostalgic tears aside, this trip was for football, not deep reflection, so personally I consciously kept the memories from being completely exhumed.

Northbound 35

I had to beg and plead, argue and negotiate but I influenced, somewhat, my friends to to leave at a respectable time on Friday morning for the game. I complained of a looming Monday midterm and the prospect of a 3 hour drive evolving into a 6 hour drive due to visiting traffic. Reopening a page from the undergrad book of partying they rallied, with medicine, McDonalds, and Excedrin. On 35 heading North at 9:15 am I was thankful I took it easy on Thursday night.

Sittin' Pretty

"sittin' pretty": Section 19 Row 29 Seat 11 Gate E

My First Time

Everyone remembers their first time. The excitement, the anticipation, and the build-up all add to the experience that will be forever archived in the mind. It is the event that will be continually drawn from the shelves of memory to help ease the torments of aging. The pride will pour out when my grandson asks curiously about where I was, what it was like, and who I was with. In short, it is both a source of present and future joy. On Saturday two sides will collide and I will be a part of it - finally. I have gone 24 years too long. Go hard or go home as they. Even with a Corporations midterm looming at 8am on Monday, I will not be deterred from engaging in the ecstasy that is the Red River Rivalry game. We depart Friday for Dallas, for the Cotton Bowl, for the Texas State Fair, for a Saturday matchup between Texas and Oklahoma(sucks). It is a game I have never witnessed live. However, I will be there Saturday, and outcome permitting, will return to Austin with an extra bounce in my step.

The Beginning of Fall

Even though I have been back in law school for two weeks it doesn't feel that way. It is not until the annual hunt is over that I feel like the Fall has officially begun. Labor Day is inextricably mingled with dove hunting, dove hunting occurs in the valley, and the valley was the backdrop for a period of my family's history. To travel back there is always a journey, both of body and heart. I'm learning that traveling back can be as exciting as traveling away. With the conclusion of this quick trip I have begun a new semester and new season.

End Product

This an authentic Valley style barbecue: dove, fajitas, sausage, quesadillas, all over an open flame.

Cleaning 'em

I am the designated bird cleaner: Last year I did about 60, this year I only did about 30. I prefer to prepare the birds for cooking because I have to finish what I started. First the breast feathers, then the wings, and thats that. It is an obligation and one which I find enjoyable.