An Open Letter to Scott Drew

March 18, 2010 in fun, news | Leave a comment

Dear Scott Drew,

Five years ago, Husbanks and I made our spring pilgrimage to Waco to watch our Alma-mater play basketball. Our school’s athletic department had recently been rocked by scandal, and the new men’s basketball coach (you) seemed like a stand-up guy. But that day we weren’t there to watch the men shoot hoops, we were watching the National Champion Lady Bears on the court during the last game of the season.

The stadium was full and energy was there. It was exciting to see students and alum excited about sports at our school, the athletic-laughing-stock of our conference. After the game, you took the microphone to congratulate the graduating senior Lady Bears and to address the basketball fans.

“Give me a few seasons. The stadium will be full like this for the guys. Fans will be excited.”

We remembered you as the assistant coach at Valpo when they made the sweet last-minute shot advancing to the Sweet 16 (I was there!). I honestly don’t remember the rest of your speech that day, but I do remember being moved to tears by whatever you said. You were motivational without losing sincerity and aggressive without being arrogant. You were super nice. And in five years we watched you transform a mess - where star players were released after the scandal and some remaining recruits joined a team without available scholarships due to punishment - into a team headed to the NCAA for the second time under your leadership. As a No. 3 seed.

I don’t need Baylor go to the Big Dance to be happy, I’m just happy seeing the good guy win every once in a while.

Congrats, Coach Drew. You were right - we’re excited.

Sic ’em, Bears.

Photos by Stacie

Irish Name Generator

March 17, 2010 in holidays | 2 comments

Happy St. Patrick’s Day! May you have a lovely day free from religious persecution and arguments over reformed Christian theology. Enjoy some green snacks and beer.

Generate your Irish name here!

Thanks for sending, Leanne.

Videos Inspired by Sam

March 16, 2010 in friends | 2 comments

Our friends Sam and Julia are great to know. They are happy smart people. Together they love music, art, reading, science fiction, and being in love. Separately they love librar-ing and golf.

Many a time I have placed a video on my blog inspired by Sam. Sam brought Kittens Inspired by Kittens into my life. For that gem I will forever be indebted.

Watch the following video (found by Sam) twice. The first time you will say whaaaa? And the second time you will laugh. A lot.

I bet if Gin and I were still roommates, we would sit and watch this for hours and memorize it and repeat it over and over.

Some Things Never Change

March 15, 2010 in My animals | 5 comments

March 2008

March 2010

March 11

March 11, 2010 in family | 1 comment

Happy Birthday, Dad.

Indie Charades

March 11, 2010 in fun | 2 comments

Husbanks and I invented the best game ever.

Indie Charades

1. Turn your satellite radio to the indie station (Coffee House or XMU).

2. At the first song no one recognizes, one person looks at the display. Play charades to guess the band title (it is displayed on the screen).

3. Time’s up when the song is over.

This game is hilarious because indie band names are so arbitrary. They usually involve adjective(s) and one noun.

And you get background music for your party. So efficient!

Side note: When I start a band, I will name it “Indie Charades.”

The Last Ticket

March 9, 2010 in family, fun | 2 comments

There are few things more ‘merican than watching football or basketball. Being a fan means a different things to different people. To some, it means winning – the thirst to boast and be right. To some, it means analyzing – predicting the winner of match ups based weeks of ESPN watching and calculated player sizing-up. To some, it means travel – retirees hitting the road to support their team. To some it means rivalry – always hoping defeat for the other. To most, it means community. Whether it’s your family, friends, or fellow alumni, being a fan means you have camaraderie with other fans during wins and losses and the anticipation in-between.

I grew up in one such family, where sports and the community around them were religion. The original wedding date Husbanks and I chose was quickly changed because my extended family informed me that no one would come to a wedding during the Big 12 championship. My mistake.

I have so many memories of parking at games, and walking about a mile to get to the stadium. Tossing a rally towel so hard I really believed I could will-in the ball. Yelling at the referee. Getting in the car after the game and listening to the post-game radio show on 1520 AM the whole 35 minutes home. Gathering around the TV holding your breath waiting for the last shot. Hearing countless commentaries on the Big 8 and their ability to compete with anyone in the nation.

Saturday, Ryan and I went to a basketball game with my family’s season tickets for the last time. For over 20 years my family had 9th row seats behind the south goal, and this was the last season we purchased them. I sat in those seats during my formative years and beyond. Husbanks met my parents for the first time in those seats. I watched Stacey King, Eduardo Najera, and Hollis Price from those seats. I was there three times a week during the winter months, and won’t easily forget that.

It’s been a good run. With this goodbye I remember that my family’s love for the home team isn’t changing, just the place from which we view them. Boomer Sooner.

I Made Some LOL Cats for You, Dear Blog Reader

March 8, 2010 in My animals | 1 comment

Things I Learned Watching the Olympics

March 5, 2010 in friends, news | 1 comment

Joni Mitchell? K.D. Lang? Nickelback? You all are Canadian, eh? I look at life from both sides of the border now.

Ice dancing is not as intense as figure skating and I bet ice dancers get teased in the locker room. In the wise words of Lacy: Anything that involves a move called a ‘twizzle’ might not deserve a medal.

Some people are bratty about getting the silver. Every time someone was disappointed about coming in second, I wanted to slap them with an ice skate. You are an Olympian! Get excited!

Will has never looked younger!

Weather up on “The Mountain” was really bad according to Will. Check out some of his coverage here:
Shaun White is ready for things to ‘get weird’
White’s showstopper caps second Olympic gold
Grishin roars, Peterson soars in aerials final
Chris Klug brings inseparable bond to Olympics

Things I Learned in Louisville

March 4, 2010 in friends | 2 comments

Teething makes babies drool and get really snuggly.

Just because a baby is too young to walk, that doesn’t mean he can’t roll quickly to get anywhere he wants.

It is hard to take pictures of babies! They move constantly.

Watching the Olympics with a glass of wine and a good friend is apparently better than actually BEING at the Olympics.

I finally know how to spell Cincinnati. I never knew.

Taking a baby to the mall or a restaurant is like taking an adult to a movie. They just watch what is in front of them and are completely entertained.

I can now change a diaper and bathe a baby. Although with all the “you can babysit” requests I got from my initial blog post, I don’t know if I want to broadcast these new skills.

“Chicken dinner” tastes like carrots and noodles.

And picking Colin out at daycare? NAILED IT. Spot on, first try.

Colin is absolutely perfect. Good work, Ellie and Will.