Robert found this question/answer post on SI.com the other day with a reference to Auburn as a "historically second-tier program." We just thought that was great.
Q: Minnesota (1-7) is considerably worse than recent previous seasons. Now that they've lost to a I-AA team, do you think they're regretting firing Glenn Mason, who did not do all that bad considering what he had to work with and around?-Frank, Columbus, Ohio
A: Ah, yes. It's appears "Ole Miss/Clemson Syndrome" has reared its ugly head once again. For those unaware of this often debilitating condition (once known as "Auburn/Clemson Syndrome, but renamed once Auburn decided it liked Tommy Tuberville after all), it's described on page 105 of a recently released college football book as "the phenomenon by which fans of historically second-tier programs delude themselves into thinking that one isolated period of greatness -- Clemson's 1981 national title season -- is more representative of their team's rightful place in the sport's hierarchy than its other hundred or so years of football." Ole Miss took over Auburn's naming rights in 2004 when the Rebels ran off their most successful coach in 30 years, David Cutcliffe. His replacement, Ed Orgeron, is one heck of a recruiter, but he's also gone 8-22 in his three seasons to date. I'm guessing many of the same Rebels fans that got sick of attending the Independence Bowl would gladly take a trip to Shreveport next year.
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
Always Hate Orange
As much as I want to take credit for the title of this blog posting, I can't. I must give credit where credit is due. It's actually an original from Leigh's dad, Dr. Prickett, who signed a general email to her last week with the tag line "Always Hate Orange.....Love Dad." Yep, it's the third Saturday in October. You gotta love it.
So having taken two weeks off of actually attending Bama games, Robert and I definitely had the itch and decided to go to Tuscaloosa and see if we could get tickets. Dragging ourselves out of bed at 9 a.m. last Saturday, we hit the road by 9:30, sat in a surprisingly good bit of traffic for way too early in the morning, and rolled into T-town just minutes before the 11:30 a.m. kickoff. (Thank you, Lincoln Financial, for making it impossible to sleep in on a Saturday morning.) After grabbing lunch at Taco Bell downtown and stuffing it down (I think that's the fastest Robert - generally a very slow eater - has ever eaten), we were booking it down University and the Strip to the stadium, on the hunt for tickets along the way.
We come across our second "officially licensed ticket broker" (aka scalper) right before we get to the Strip and start to haggle. What happened next is one of our best team accomplishments since marriage. Between Robert making our first counteroffer that I argue is too much to pay, an accusation of trying to sell fake tickets (That was me. I actually mistakenly thought they were already torn.), repeated attempts to walk away, and husband to wife discussions right in front of him that "there's bound to be cheaper tickets closer to the stadium," we talk the guy into just $15 above face value for two of his last three tickets. And end up paying $20 above because silly me threw out the ultimatum price in a $5-dollar increment during our final haggle - and we didn't have any $5 dollar bills! Oh well, we still got an incredible deal. Which is only confirmed once we get to the stadium and find our awesome seats.
In the northeast corner, lower level, just high enough to see the field, and the last section before you hit having to mingle with the Tennessee fans. We were sittin' pretty. At first we were skeptical about sitting just one section over from the Tennessee band and having to endure a hundred playings of Rocky Top in four quarters, but let's just say we had no need to worry. They played the song maybe seven times. Maybe. It was a miracle. So was the 3-0 Bama's on top score we noticed when we first got in the stadium. (Sadly, we missed the onside kick at kickoff.) What ensured in the next 3.5 hours, as most of you know, was the best Bama game of the season - hands down. Boy was it good to be there and experience it in person.
We really had a great view of the field. We'd totally buy season tickets in this spot if we ever had the chance.
And, as if the day couldn't get better, my brother David's girlfriend, Shelby, and her mom were sitting just 10 rows or so above us. We grabbed her to get some quick pics to make David jealous. I called him to let him know we saw Shelby and glanced up at her while the phone was ringing, noticing she too was on the phone. David answered and didn't seemed surprised at all. He was definitely on the phone with Shelby and had already heard the big news of us seeing each other. Oh well. You just can't surprise a 17-year-old. At least he clicked over to answer my call when I beeped in! (By the way, David texted me today and said he and his friend, Chris, got tickets to the LSU game! He also got accepted to Alabama last week. Way to go, Dave!)
Here's the empty Tennessee section just across the aisle. They started dropping like flies as the score rolled up, especially after Fulmer punted on Tennessee's second to last possession. Talk about feeling defeat.
One happy Robert!
41-17! What bliss. I was waiting for my free windshield wiper fluid from Advanced Auto Parts because we scored more than 28 points, but they never announced it. I guess they quit doing that promo - just as we get good enough to score that many points in a game. Only bummer of the day.
So having taken two weeks off of actually attending Bama games, Robert and I definitely had the itch and decided to go to Tuscaloosa and see if we could get tickets. Dragging ourselves out of bed at 9 a.m. last Saturday, we hit the road by 9:30, sat in a surprisingly good bit of traffic for way too early in the morning, and rolled into T-town just minutes before the 11:30 a.m. kickoff. (Thank you, Lincoln Financial, for making it impossible to sleep in on a Saturday morning.) After grabbing lunch at Taco Bell downtown and stuffing it down (I think that's the fastest Robert - generally a very slow eater - has ever eaten), we were booking it down University and the Strip to the stadium, on the hunt for tickets along the way.
We come across our second "officially licensed ticket broker" (aka scalper) right before we get to the Strip and start to haggle. What happened next is one of our best team accomplishments since marriage. Between Robert making our first counteroffer that I argue is too much to pay, an accusation of trying to sell fake tickets (That was me. I actually mistakenly thought they were already torn.), repeated attempts to walk away, and husband to wife discussions right in front of him that "there's bound to be cheaper tickets closer to the stadium," we talk the guy into just $15 above face value for two of his last three tickets. And end up paying $20 above because silly me threw out the ultimatum price in a $5-dollar increment during our final haggle - and we didn't have any $5 dollar bills! Oh well, we still got an incredible deal. Which is only confirmed once we get to the stadium and find our awesome seats.
In the northeast corner, lower level, just high enough to see the field, and the last section before you hit having to mingle with the Tennessee fans. We were sittin' pretty. At first we were skeptical about sitting just one section over from the Tennessee band and having to endure a hundred playings of Rocky Top in four quarters, but let's just say we had no need to worry. They played the song maybe seven times. Maybe. It was a miracle. So was the 3-0 Bama's on top score we noticed when we first got in the stadium. (Sadly, we missed the onside kick at kickoff.) What ensured in the next 3.5 hours, as most of you know, was the best Bama game of the season - hands down. Boy was it good to be there and experience it in person.
We really had a great view of the field. We'd totally buy season tickets in this spot if we ever had the chance.
And, as if the day couldn't get better, my brother David's girlfriend, Shelby, and her mom were sitting just 10 rows or so above us. We grabbed her to get some quick pics to make David jealous. I called him to let him know we saw Shelby and glanced up at her while the phone was ringing, noticing she too was on the phone. David answered and didn't seemed surprised at all. He was definitely on the phone with Shelby and had already heard the big news of us seeing each other. Oh well. You just can't surprise a 17-year-old. At least he clicked over to answer my call when I beeped in! (By the way, David texted me today and said he and his friend, Chris, got tickets to the LSU game! He also got accepted to Alabama last week. Way to go, Dave!)
Here's the empty Tennessee section just across the aisle. They started dropping like flies as the score rolled up, especially after Fulmer punted on Tennessee's second to last possession. Talk about feeling defeat.
One happy Robert!
41-17! What bliss. I was waiting for my free windshield wiper fluid from Advanced Auto Parts because we scored more than 28 points, but they never announced it. I guess they quit doing that promo - just as we get good enough to score that many points in a game. Only bummer of the day.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Madhi and the new couch
Kyle, Leigh, and Madhi came over for dinner last week and got to try out our new couch. It's officially out best craigslist find to date. Only 2 years old, minimal use, basically perfect condition, originally purchased from Haverty's, and... (here's the kicker) next day delivery for FREE. That's right. For $150, we got the best deal on craigslist. It's super comfy too!
Here's Madhi eating a cupcake and messing with Kyle. Robert and I knew Madhi at Alabama through Dalgo. Then he transferred to UAB, where he met my bro. It was pretty funny the day he figured out Kyle and I were siblings. It was like two different worlds crashed in on him. He kept looking back and forth at us in a dazed stare saying "Kyle...?Tiffany..?" (Say in your best Saudi Arabian accent.) But now we all hang out together, so it's even more fun! He's a great racquetball player. He and Robert played on Friday at UAB, and now Robert's determined to perfect his serve and beat him.
As you can see, the old couch was quite crowded for three full grown, cupcake eating men.
The new couch is much roomier. Here's Madhi demonstrating all the many positions one can be comfortable on our new couch!
Here's Madhi eating a cupcake and messing with Kyle. Robert and I knew Madhi at Alabama through Dalgo. Then he transferred to UAB, where he met my bro. It was pretty funny the day he figured out Kyle and I were siblings. It was like two different worlds crashed in on him. He kept looking back and forth at us in a dazed stare saying "Kyle...?Tiffany..?" (Say in your best Saudi Arabian accent.) But now we all hang out together, so it's even more fun! He's a great racquetball player. He and Robert played on Friday at UAB, and now Robert's determined to perfect his serve and beat him.
As you can see, the old couch was quite crowded for three full grown, cupcake eating men.
The new couch is much roomier. Here's Madhi demonstrating all the many positions one can be comfortable on our new couch!
Little Cousin Will
I just had to post these pics of my little cousin Will who Robert and I got to see on the way back from the Florida State game a few weeks back. Will lives in Macon with his mom, dad, big brother Zach and his Mimi (my Aunt Linda - I think it's Mimi.) It was so good to see you guys!
Race for the Cure
Last Saturday mom and I participated in Race for the Cure benefiting the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation with my cousin and her family. It was our first time to join the race, and it really was a lot of fun. Here's out team right before the start.
My cousin's little boy, Solomon, had quite the get up with a wagon ride and all the free snacks from the vendors. He was sitting pretty the whole race!
My cousin Christina organized the team in honor of her mother-in-law, a breast cancer survivor.
The boys - Solomon and Elijah - call their grandmother LaLa, so the team name was "Laps for LaLa." Even Elijah in his stroller was all decked out and ready to go.
He was actually perky for 8 in the morning too!
Here's Christina and her husband, Jonathan, who's a high school teacher and recruited a lot of his students to join the race. (Can we say extra credit? ;))
My Aunt Cathy (Dad's sister) and mom.
Mrs. Judy - Jonathan's mom who's victory over cancer we were celebrating - and her husband enjoyed pushing Elijah. We all walked the 3K that wound through downtown Birmingham, starting and ending at Lynn Park.
I can't remember the total number of participants, but Birmingham drew a pretty large crowd.
You can see everyone packing out the street.
Here's the finish!
My cousin's little boy, Solomon, had quite the get up with a wagon ride and all the free snacks from the vendors. He was sitting pretty the whole race!
My cousin Christina organized the team in honor of her mother-in-law, a breast cancer survivor.
The boys - Solomon and Elijah - call their grandmother LaLa, so the team name was "Laps for LaLa." Even Elijah in his stroller was all decked out and ready to go.
He was actually perky for 8 in the morning too!
Here's Christina and her husband, Jonathan, who's a high school teacher and recruited a lot of his students to join the race. (Can we say extra credit? ;))
My Aunt Cathy (Dad's sister) and mom.
Mrs. Judy - Jonathan's mom who's victory over cancer we were celebrating - and her husband enjoyed pushing Elijah. We all walked the 3K that wound through downtown Birmingham, starting and ending at Lynn Park.
I can't remember the total number of participants, but Birmingham drew a pretty large crowd.
You can see everyone packing out the street.
Here's the finish!
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