Pics from yesterday

Meet The Players

Yesterday, I did something I had never done before. I went to the Meet the Players event the Senior Bowl puts on every year! Although I have lived outside of Mobile almost my whole life, I have never gone. I've been to the Senior Bowl plenty of times, but never to the MTP.

When I found out Josh and Lee were going to be in the Senior Bowl this year, I decided I wanted to go. Then, I found out Zac was going, so I really wanted to go. I didn't know exactly how it would be organized, but read about it in the paper, listened to the local sports station guys discuss it, and watched the news. Last year, something like 10,000 people showed up to try to meet Tim Tebow but it turned out he had gotten sick. People kinda gave him a rough time, but sheesh, if you're sic, you're sick. It happens. Anyway.
I decided to get there early. I got there around 1:45 or 2:00.  While it isn't that far as the crow flies to downtown from Semmes, it takes quite some time to drive there. At any rate, I got there early enough to park in the Convention Center parking garage, which was excellent. The city was using 'Event Parking' which was also good, because it was only $5.00 to park. I was fully expecting to pay more since I would be there for several hours.

Right when I got on the elevator to go in the building, I met a guy and his son dressed in Auburn attire. He said War Eagle and I returned the greeting.  They were selling sharpies and SB programs, but I had brought my own sharpie. The guy (I never did ask his name. I was around him almost all day. Found out his kid's name, where he lived, what he did, watched Auburn videos on his cell phone but not his name) had his own sharpie as well.  He was almost giggly in telling me that Bo Jackson had given him an autograph with that sharpie, so it was his 'autograph' sharpie. The line was already pretty long and the doors to the Exhibit Hall were not even open yet. In a little while, my friend Kim and her family arrived and we all spent time hanging out together and talking about Auburn stuff.

Finally, they announced the doors were opening. We followed the line. When we got closer, the lines split. Auburn on the left, Alabama on the right, and everyone else in the middle. While Auburn and Alabama clearly had the longest lines, there were also many people who had come to see some of the guys like Christian Ponder, DJ Williams, Courtney Smith and some others.  We were in line near some doors when Josh Bynes came out and headed toward his spot. We heard someone say he had been sick as well. We knew we'd have to get in line again to meet Zac because they did the players in two sessions.

As we got closer, we heard them say one thing signed per person. I had two things I wanted to get signed. The guy and his son just had his hat, so his son carried my dad's hat for me. I did give him a pin from an Auburn-Alabama game in 1992 for his trouble! :) I also brought one for Kim's son.  We got through and Lee and Josh were very nice. They had a bunch of people surrounding them. Some were senior bowl officials. Some were Mobile Police Officers. There was a guy in an Auburn shirt who was kinda hovering over both of them, so the guys were pretty limited as to what they could do. I said 'War Eagle, thanks for a great season.' I also asked how they were liking Mobile. They both smiled. They weren't allowed to really pose for pictures but they smiled while they were signing things so we could take pictures. I had brought my program from the Auburn-Georgia game that had all the seniors on the front.

In the middle were a bunch of kids things to do. Jumpy things and those spin around things they used to have at the space center.  We went out on the balcony and sat by the bay for a few minutes.  The Alabama line was REALLY long. Some of their fans didn't even get to Greg McElroy and Preston Dial. Preston Dial is a HUGE hometown kid since he is from Mobile. Everyone who had been in line on time got to see Josh and Lee. However, when we got in the line the second time, there was man from Arkansas who was hoping to meet Lee. I didn't think we were going to get back up there in time. He was very nice and we chatted with him in the line. Finally, all the guys from the first session came by the doors which the Auburn line was next to.  Lee came by. The man asked for an autograph but the people around Lee said he couldn't. Lee kinda smiled at the man, though. When we had met Lee, they had these little baseball card like things, so I gave him mine from Lee. Then all the guys came by. Preston, Greg, Christian Ponder, Andy Dalton, the Matthews kid...several of the other guys (smaller school guys) stopped and signed autographs for the people in the Auburn line. It was pretty neat. We were telling the Arkansas guy about Zac's story,  and he decided he wanted to wait in line to meet Zac. Then the second session guys came though.  Zac came out smiling and bouncing. He was clearly enjoying himself.

So, we chatted with the man about Auburn and Arkansas. He was sorta in town for a wedding. I say sorta because they were over in Picayune which is kind of north of Kiln in Mississippi, not far at all from Slidell.  We finally got up to meet Zac. He was smiling and talking to everyone. I said War Eagle and told him who I was on twitter. He smiled and said 'oh yeah,' I asked him about Mobile and he said it was great. The Arkansas man got his autograph and we wished him a good day He was headed over to meet the other Arkansas guys. That's why he wasn't in line in time to meet Lee. He had been in line to meet one of the Arkansas guys and then got in the Auburn line. He did get to meet DJ Williams and the other Arkansas guy he wanted to meet though. Then he said he was going to tell everyone how nice the Auburn folks in line were to him.

Kim and her family left then. Then I told the other guy and his son goodbye. They had driven from Ft. Walton. All in all, I'd say it was very organized and well-run. We had waited in line A LONG time. There were THOUSANDS of people there. There were some Alabama folks who were disappointed but I don't know if they'd been in line the whole time or not.  As I was leaving, the parking deck across the street was full. As I drove down Water St., people were parked in the side of the road all the way down to the Press-Register building. it was full, full, full.  I was actually proud of myself. While it is easy to GET to the convention center, it is NOT easy to get HOME from the convention center. I usually get on the Loop and drive around and around. I actually got off the Loop on the right spot!! It was a REALLY fun day. I hope the guys (other teams included) how much it means for the fans to be able to meet them. I know they are just regular guys. It really meant a lot to me and I know it did to those kids.

So, it was a great day. It was fun. I got both things autographed. I was SO tired though, that I bought junk food on the way home and ate it for dinner. I am having some trouble uploading photos, but I will do that this afternoon when I go to my parents' house to keep the twins.

I Wanna See Your Passport in One Hand, Plane Ticket in the Other!!!!

These are just some rambling thoughts this evening, no real specific story or point.

OK, so the goofy title does have meaning. While in band in college, we traveled to Ireland to participate in the St. Patrick's Day Parade in Dublin. We also did a parade in Limerick, performed on the morning show, 'The Big Breakfast' (Don't ask me what it is. We were told it was similar to The Today Show, but there were TONS of people and some people dressed up as Easter eggs who were dancing), traveled around the country, and spent some time in London. Every time we were traveling from one place to the other, our band director would get on each bus and say 'I want to see your plane ticket in one hand and yout passport in the other! Hold them up!' Each time, I would panic just a little- sure that I was going to lose one or the other.

See, I think that while young people can be irresponsible, we cana ll be taught and molded how to do the right thing, be organized, and be able to complete things we started. It doesn't have to be with college band. It can be a football team, a softball team, or even a club. I know everyone's individual experiences make them who they are, which is what gives us a colorful society, but I think if everyone had some sort of experience where other people were relying on them to do something, people in general would be less selfish.

I noticed while checking the grades of my Key Club officers today, that I was worrying about the wrong students. The officers are ALL students who are top 20 in the class students. I enjoy working with these kids, but my greater concern is the students who are NOT involved. My 'special' kids are very near and dear to my heart. I work every day to make them accountable for their actions and grades. I encourage and reward them. They are still going to make bad choices at times, but they are still kids. I can only hope that there are some things that happen that we are teaching them so that they will remember how what helped them be responsible. Here's to hoping a large group of young adults will learn to be in control and make a difference as well. It is really the only hope we have as a society to stay even remotely civilized. (and ha, yes I see the paradox in that phase) So, if you are able to impact some young people in some way, even if you are a young person, take the time to try to make that difference.

By the way, if the show 'Punked' had been around while we were in Ireland, I would have been positive we were being Punked on that Big Breakfast show 'gig'.

It Tumped Over...

So, today at church, our pastor was discussing dialectal language. He was explaining something in Ephesians, but was using our various phrases to try to compare things. He is a Mobile boy who moved away and was a pastor near Buffalo. He said if he had ever used the phrase 'it tumped over' while he was in Buffalo, people would have looked at him like he had three heads. I know it doesn't sound exactly biblical, but he has this amazing way of making things from the Bible understandable. He is an amazing teacher.

I don't really have any super insights or thought for this blog, but it made me think about some of our lovely southern phrases.

Of course, everone knows ya'll. However, ya'll can mean one person or several people. For emphasis, we sometimes say 'all ya'll'.

'Fixin' to' is used daily, as it about to do something.

One I use often is 'used to could', meaning something I could previously do but cannot anymore.

We also use 'about' as an adverb. 'He about cut his foot off.'

I know it isn't good grammar...but it is still funny. I even laugh at myself sometimes. I am not EVEN going to try to grammar and spell check this entry. Ha.

A Great Day

I didn't get to go to Auburn today to see the National Championship Celebration. I would have loved to go, but there were many things going on around here today. I did watch it online. It was a terrific thing to see. I wasn't sure I'd ever see it in my lifetime. I cried today, watching the trophies being presented. I cried when the honored the 04 team. I cried when I saw the crowd, team, and coaches cheering for Kodi.

It was just a tiny bit bittersweet in one aspect. Some people who read know I teach high school. In December of 08, we had a student killed in an 'incident.' It was a devastating day. I will honestly say it was a harder day as a teacher than 9/11. He was a top notch football player. He was the most dynamic player I have EVER seen as a high school student, and I am not saying that just because he played for the school I teach at.  As a freshman, he played like a superstar in the state championship game. The players have worn patches on their jerseys the past two years with his number. His number is also painted in the endzones, where Billey Joe liked to spend so much time! He was being recruited by many schools, including the two schools of his choice.  The school HE wanted to go to was Auburn. His second choice was Oregon. When it was decided that Auburn and Oregon would be playing for the NC, several students casually mentioned to me how much Billey would have loved it. A student who I have worked with for several years was very close to Billey. His death almost did 'Kiddo' in. Kiddo came up to me and showed me a picture of Billey in an Auburn shirt. He said, 'Do you wonder if he would have played in this game?' That just about broke my heart.

 This would have been his freshman year in college. I don't know if he would have made it academically. I don't know if he would have decided to go. I know what he wanted to do. I know he would have loved playing at Auburn. Even if he hadn't been playing, he would have loved to have seen Auburn win the national championship. So today, when watching the celebration, I could help but pause my thoughts on Billey Joe. Whether it had been a part of the team or a part of the celebration, it was a day he would have loved.

So, Billey Joe, a big War Eagle just for you. Not a day goes by at GCHS that someone doesn't mention your name. You may not have gotten to play for Auburn, but the memory of you remained in the game.

So, if they Really Wanted to Help...

It thoroughly annoys me that we are promised 'help'. Things will be 'different.' Here are the things I know:

1. Gas prices keep going up. I already am in a carpool. Public transportation is not an option in my area.

2. The Water and Sewer rates are going up.

3. Homeowners insurance continues to skyrocket.

4. Every other 'utility' has recently raised rates, all stating 'we haven't raised rates in ___ years.'

5. I am making every effort to eat healthier. Healthier food is MUCH more expensive. If we are SOOOOO worried about the overweight (which I am), I don't think taxing soda and junk food is the answer. How about LOWERING the price of wheat bread or those types of foods?

Here is what else I know:

1. My pay check has NOT increased. As a matter of fact, it DECREASED. The state took out more money for state retirement, starting in August, which lowered my paycheck to being with.
2. Health insurance premiums were raised starting January 1.

The news says not to expect the gas prices to go down any time soon. They also predicted increased costs of food and other things.

Something SERIOUSLY has to give. I am not angry. I just wish we, as a country, would use a little more common sense when considering what would actually help people.

Not for the Life of Me

I can totally understand the desire to be famous. I have never personally had that desire, really. Of course, I once thought I would swim in the Olympics, but at the time, I never paired that with fame. I have always tried to be the best teacher I could be, but it doesn't bother me to not win teacher of the year or any other teacher awards.  The reason: I just don't want every move I make scrutinized by people who may or may not be educated on particular topics. In the day of the 24 hr news cycle, 24 hr cable news, internet news, blogs, and the ability to access news on mobile devices, every move some people make is reported as news, whether it is or not. Then, it becomes news even when its not really.

I cannot begin to imagine what people would think if they followed every move I made.

Here is what they would find:
A girl who was in the pep band at the NCAA tournament in Ruston, LA when the band stole sheets from the Holiday Inn to wear togas to the game. We were televised waving parts of the sheets around. The part ESPN showed? The sheet printed with 'PROPERTY OF HOLIDAY INN, RUSTON, LA.'
(If I might add that 'Inn' came equipped with fly swatters.)

A college student who stole toilet paper to work on the band's homecoming float.

Less than stellar grades in math, biology, chemistry and anthropology.

A girl who once had her car towed in college because she forgot to move it before a football game and it was in a 'alumni club parking zone.'

A gal who once had an entire plate of nachos dropped on her head when standing under the stadium at St. Martin HS, waiting to use the restroom. Yes, cheese dripped from my hair.
A gal who can be a little too passionate about her college teams at times.

A teacher who once gave a student a ride home when she taught alternative school because she knew the student would get into more trouble on the walk home than the teacher would get for giving her the ride home.

A teacher that shows favor to a few students who have terrible home lives and need someone to look out for them by holding them accountable for their actions; giving them reprimands when it is needed and praise and cookies when they do well.

A teacher who has a day every now and then when she is far to exhausted to do her job well and gives the kids worksheets.

I also use slang and incorrect grammar, even if my subject is English.  I sometimes end my sentences with prepositions.


There are more but they are far too boring to keep posting.
Any of these things taken out of context could make someone look bad if someone tried hard enough.

So, thanks, but I will just live my little life in obscurity. That is ok with me.

Thank You

So, I thought I'd take a second and officially thank all the seniors and those leaving Auburn. I would leave out some people some of the time, but I want to get everyone in.

Rhett Lashlee- I wish you ALL the best at Samford and look for great things from you in the future.

Cam, Darvin, and Nick- You gave us a fantastic season. I hope all of you know your AUfamily sticks around forever, so come back and visit as much as you can. Best of luck to all of you. You were fabulous in times of pressure this year, and we are thankful. It was fun!

 For all of the seniors: You all were a team that stuck together in good times and bad. You REALLY went through it. I am SO glad you had such a great year to end your college careers.We are all so proud of all of you. You always have a home with the AUfamily, and we look forward to great things from all of you in the future, whether it is football or something else.

Mike Berry- thank you! you were part of the ever strong 0-line. This would NOT have been possible without you.
Mike Blanc- The D-line was incredible in the NC game. Thank you for all you have done for AU.
Jorrell Bostrom- Thank you! You made some big plays this year!
Kodi Burns- There will never be enough words to say how grateful were are to you. You sacrificed what you wanted for yourself for the good of the team. When you could have become very difficult, you stood up and did the right thing. More people should be like you. This world would be a better place. I look forward to seeing GREAT things from you.
Josh Bynes- You have been incredible for AU. I watched all those interceptions you made in the Arky game this year! Thank you.
Wes Byrum- From your freshman year, you were never afraid to go out on the field and make a game winning kick when so many people would fold under pressure. I think it is fitting that your college career ended in the same fashion as I remember it starting off. I will never forget you gator-chomping down the field and I will never forget your stone-cold ice look before you kicked at the end of the NC game.
Antoine Carter- You are the never give up guy! You kept running after the Heisman winner when others would have quit. Thank you!
Neil Caudle- Again, you sacrificed what you wanted for the good of the team and became a member of the never-fail extra-point and field goal unit. Thank you!
Wade Christopher- Thank you for your service and time at AU. Your presence made a difference.
Zach Clayton- It seemed like you were always coming up with great plays this year. You were always so humble and insightful in interviews. I think you will do great things.
Bart Eddins- Never in my life will I be able to erase the memory of seeing you in your Halloween costume. I know you battled injuries all of your career. Thank you for never quitting. You will do great things. It was wonderful to see you place in the SEC champ game.
Zac Etheridge- Again, words cannot express the way AU fans feel about you. We watched you being taken off the field, sure that you would never play again. You never believed that though. You are an inspiration for EVERYONE and a symbol of AU spirit.  I have loved following you career and seeing you battle back from impossible circumstances.
Mario Fannin- Thank you! You were always able to comp up with big plays at times it mattered. You struggled but you never let it get you down. I know we will see great things from you.
Michael Goggans- You also never let circumstances get you down. You kept fighting, even when things weren't the brightest. You had your best moments when it counted, though. You will be great.
Byron Isom- This O-Line was a once in a lifetime group. It was amazing to watch you all simply not let ANYONE through.  Thank you!
Woody Parramore- I never knew that much about you until the media days from the NC game. Thank you for your years at AU.
Ryan Pugh- All year, it seemed Centers were snapping the ball all over the field, over the heads of giant QBs. Not you. You were rock-steady. We will surely miss you. I don't think people appreciate a good center until there isn't one. I know you will do great things.
Aairon Savage- I know things didn't work out for you the way you wanted. You kept getting injuries. I really hope it led you to a place where you know what you want to do. You are a fighter and I know we will see great things from you.
Ryan Shoemaker- What a difference you made in the NC game! Your name is so perfect for kicking! I hope to see great things from you in the future.
Craig Stevens- You really came into your own this year. You worked hard and you earned it. Thanks for all you did for AU. You are going to go places!
Demond Washington- I remember you playing at MGCCC. You are a model for kiddos who want to play big football but need an alternative route. Thanks for sticking with it and not giving up. I use you as an example to encourage my players (students) who need to go to JUCO first. Thank you! You are going to do great things.
Terrell Zachery- You always found a way to make a big play when things were on the line. I hope you are successful in everything you do. Keep fighting. AU will miss you.
Lee Ziemba- From 'False Start, offense, #73' to someone who was a team leader who never, ever let anyone or anything through to his QB. You made a difference at AU, both by your spirit and your football talents. You were a leader on this team and you made a difference. I look forward to seeing great things from you in the future.

Quest to get in shape

So, for about two weeks now, I've been careful with what I eat, working out at least every other day, and drinking more water than I normally do. So far, I've lost 3 pounds, but it depends on what time of day it is really. I wonder exactly how much weight fluctuates during the day. Mostly, I have been wanting to do this, but when I got a bad report on bloodwork on cholesterol, I decided to try to get it together. I really don't want to be 35 on blood pressure and cholesterol meds. I used to be really athletic and in really good shape, but somehow, I let it get away from me. In my heart, I am still that athlete that I was, but in my head, I know that it won't be exactly the same. However, I am determined to give it as much effort as I can.

I've got good music. I've got my mom's treadmill. I've got some Leslie Sansone walking videos...and I am gonna give it a go!

School, Students, and a 3 Day Weekend

I am so grateful for three day weekends. Today just about kicked my tail at school. First of all, if you didn't know, I teach in a team-teaching setting. We teach English II, which is technically a tenth grade class. However, it is one of the state-tested classes, so if the kids fail the test, they have to keep taking the test until they pass it, or they don't graduate. Now, one might say, 'Well, they should pass it to graduate.' I  agree to an extent, but this test is terribly difficult. There are usually 78 questions. There are long, tedious, boring reading passages. Just, well, complicated. So, I am the special ed teacher in the room. I help the students who have learning disabilities who are on regular diploma, but I also have a few students mixed in who are senior students on what Mississippi calls an 'Occupational Diploma'. This option is VERY good, and there are even some community colleges nearby which take an OD for entrance. I have 3 students now who are senior athletes (2 football players, one baseball player). They need this class in order to be considered for scholarship to whichever CC they are going to. We spent the end of last week doing ACT applications. Then today, just absolutely did me in. Almost all of our kids failed a test yesterday, so today we let them rework some of the problems for partial credit. There was just so much going on, it was exhausting! I am just ever so grateful for Friday, especially one with a three day weekend.

Moment in the Sun

Wow! I can't believe it really happened. After the 2004 team was left out, I wasn't sure I'd see an Auburn National Championship in my lifetime. Yet, there was something about this team. I can't put my finger on it exactly, but a blessed individual once said, 'You can't buy team chemistry at Wal-Mart.' (I guess the trophy can be displayed there, though. That's another story for another day.) If I had to put a place I thought it started, I would say LAST year with Kodi. Then, Zac got hurt, yet he clawed his way back to a starting position. Ziemba and Pugh with their rock solid leadership. Then, we had two power players, Cam and Nick. A guy named Darvin who could catch the ball no matter where it was put. Every time a player was interviewed, the gave credit to another player. The coaches; One, an offensive genius and man of God named Malzhan. He always looked like he was thinking, thinking- but you can tell how much he loves his family. A coach who everyone made fun of and mispronounced his name on purpose. He emphasized family and made the team do team events. (which I have to say was so much fun to watch) He made all the fans feel like a part of everything. One coach seems very hyper, yet what he provides for the team doesn't have a price tag. Another is a quiet man, but was able to put together important stops at exactly the right time. Three sets of twins among the coaches children.

A guy named Lutzenkirchen. A guy named Darvin. Mike. Terrell. Onterio. Egue. Dyer.Byron. Mario. Wes. Josh. Neil. Barrett.

I know I won't be able to mention everyone, so I am going to stop now.

One team called the Auburn Tigers. One mission. Destiny.

A National Championship. In my lifetime.

I believe in Auburn and love it.

Memories

As I sit here on the evening of the National Championship game, I have reflected on some of the memories I have of Auburn football. What I remember MOST is being with my family and friends. When I was really young, we went every year to one game. We would always get to see my grandparents and we would tailgate with them. My sister and I had jerseys. Mine was a Bo Jackson jersey. My sister's was the jersey of  Lionel James.  I remember us playing in those jerseys in our tailgate area, which is now a parking lot.

I remember the 1984 Sugar Bowl. I remember getting to watch Bo do his thing that night. I also remember my sister sticking her tongue out at a little girl with a Michigan shirt on at the concession stand. Michigan scored and went ahead. That was the point I started believing in Sports Karma.  Thank goodness we won. This is also what I remember. My sister got to stay in NOLA with my parents. My grandmother drove me home to Mobile and I went to school the next day. I was in the SECOND GRADE!!!

Later, when my parents inherited the season tickets by way of a great friend of my grandfather, we would kind of split the tickets and take turns going. My sis and bro in law would go to one game. My parents another. I would always go and take a friend. I remember getting to see Tiger make her last flight as the War Eagle.

I remember the emotion I felt when the AU-UA game was in Auburn after 9/11 when the bands played together.

They haven't always been GREAT memories. Last year, we went to the Kentucky game. We bought extra tickets so we could ALL go. My mom, dad, sis, broinlaw, and the twins. The WHOLE day went wrong. It was about 35 degrees colder than they had predicted. It rained and there was no prediction of rain. Ella got sick. They took her to the med station. Then we lost the game at the end!!!!! Then, Emma puked all over my dad on the way out of the stadium. We had planned to drive home, but with puking 2 yr olds, we had to stop. We had to stay at the seediest motel. You know what? Its worth it when Ella says, ' I throwed up at the War Eagle game. I throwed up EBRYWHERE!'

Then this year, I got to shake Cam's hand. I got to shake Zac's hand. I got to meet and talk with Zac's parents. It has been an unbelievable ride. I am so excited to add to the memories. It is one for the ages. If you read all that, all I can say is congratulations.

For all those who keep fighting

I am full of emotion tonight. It's been building up. All of my life, I have been an Auburn fan. It's not that I accept mediocrity, its just that I love Auburn so much that nothing would make me NOT be a fan. In 2004, I had hope of the team playing for the National Championship, but it was not in the cards for us that year. Here I sit on the Saturday night prior to the Monday National Championship Game. I have been hurrying around getting everything ready for two days of work so I don't have to worry about getting things ready before/during/after the game. It still doesn't seem real. I am so excited. If I had the money, I would so love to go to Glendale. I feel badly though, that there are so many people with such negativity. The negativity I am speaking of isn't even relating to Cam Newton. That would take a whole other blog all together.

People can say what they want. Yes, there has been some controversy surrounding the team this year. That hasn't stopped them. Especially these seniors. They have REALLY been through some things. The season when Tony Franklin was brought in was just terrible. My family still cheered for the team. Took our usual ribbing and beyond-teasing from so called friends. It's nothing compared to what the players and their families went through. Yet, they stuck it out. They played through a TERRIBLE season. Then, a coaching change, a so-so season, and a devastating injury to a teammate.  Now, they sit on the edge of greatness.  If you feel you have negative things to say, please find somewhere else to say it. The players, their families, and the coaches deserve to enjoy the last moments these boys have of college ball.  Is it jealousy? I am not sure. I have definitely felt envy when Alabama won several NCs. I never, ever felt the need to rip parent, siblings, or individual players just because I could do it behind a faceless social network site. The thing that really bothers me is that these players and moms could TOTALLY not do the social network sites, yet they allow the fans to feel like we are a part of their lives and can enjoy the victory with them.

So, for the players, parents, and coaches who have kept fighting: The AUFamily LOVES ALL of you. I have prayed for protection over you. I have prayed for you to feel the joy in your hearts of being RIGHT where you deserve to be. Thank you for keeping twitter and facebook and letting me feel like I am a part of things. It has made this season SO much fun that NOTHING can take it away. I have laughed, cried, and nearly had 4 heart attacks this season, but I wouldn't trade it for the world.

We love you. We're cheering for you. We stand with you. Give 'em hell, you War Damn Eagles!

How I Became an Auburn Fan

So, another reason I wanted to start a blog was to post various thoughts on other things. I am a HUGE Auburn fan.  I wrote a little thingie on it a while back. Blaze2000.com was gracious enough to share my thoughts via his blog. At any rate, here they are. This was written around November 10th.

I guess you would say I didn’t choose Auburn. It chose me.  I remember being REALLY little and meeting my grandparents in Auburn. My grandparents lived in Oxford, so they were close. They would ‘save’ a spot and we would tailgate right in front of Haley Center. We would always go to Anders, where my dad worked in college.  Ms. Rosemary and my grandmother were friends. At gametime, my grandparents would go off to sit in their ‘orange seats’ while my parents and sister and I took the seats in the endzone. We went every year. We still attend every year. We now get to sit in those orange seats. I am happy that we have passed down the love to my nieces. Those are some of my best memories with my grandparents. I hope this is something they can remember, too.  As far back as I can remember, we went to a game each year. Then, a player named BO came along. I saw him play in the Sugar Bowl around 1983 and KNEW I would love Auburn football for the rest of my life.

I also remember the agony and excitement I felt over the Iron Bowl over the years.  Living in a rural area, there weren’t many Auburn fans. The years that Auburn lost, the phone would start ringing right after the game with people taunting my family or me. When Auburn won, my parents would not allow me to do the same. I learned early to believe in what I call ‘sports karma.’ I used to feel that I ‘hated’ the other team no matter what. Three years ago, I started teaching high school at a school that has a heavy emphasis on football. I teach football players. I try to help them. I see them as young people looking to start something wonderful. So with it, I see the players as kids and that includes the players for the other team. See, I teach at a school where a football player was killed in an incident. He never got to choose his team or give college ball a try. I always think of him. So, I can cheer for my team without tearing down the kids on the other team.

Every year brings excitement and apprehension.

This year has been special. There is something about this team. Now, they may win the rest of the games.  They may lose them. It’s not that it doesn’t matter, because it does. However, when you look at some of the stories, winning another game is just secondary.

-          Zac Etheridge: Anyone who knows me knows I have followed him closely since his injury. This kid was possibly looking at not walking again. To think he is back on the football field is just amazing to me. The whole story of his injury and his friendship with Rodney Scott brings me to tears every time. Through it all, he has credited God, his family and his friends. Just amazing to me!!! He is going to be something great.

-          Kodi Burns: Things didn’t work out the way this kid wanted. He thought he was going to be a starting quarterback. A new offensive coach comes in and brings a QB with him. Kodi is not the starting quarterback. He would sometimes run the wildcat. Then, there was enormous turmoil at Auburn. Kodi stayed with it, though. He never won the starting QB job again. However, he has turned into a jam-up wide receiver. This is inspirational to me. What an Auburn man!

-          Lee Ziemba: This huge, top of the line recruit appeared from Arkansas. He was always jumping offsides. I could SEE the potential. Then, the turmoil happened. He seemed a mess that year. However, again, he stuck it out. The new coaching group seemed to FIT him. He has turned into an outstanding player and leader on this team. Big things are going to happen for this kid. On Friday, he will become the new ‘Iron-Man of Auburn Football’. He will have his 50^th consecutive start. That is again, amazing to me!

-          Cam Newton: Whatever happened, didn’t happen, will happen, not sure we will ever know the true story. Sadly, the media took it as a chance to run a kid into the ground. I will say this: He is breathtaking to watch play. He plays with more joy and enthusiasm than I have seen in a long time. I never thought I’d see another electric player like Bo ever again, but I think he takes the cake! I’ve never seen anyone being tacked with such a big smile on his face!

-          The feeling of family these coaches have returned to the game. Others can make fun of it, but it is important to me and to other Auburn folks. It’s just who we are.

-          Seeing the pictures of that Halloween party and seeing the kids have fun brought a smile to my face, because at the end of the day, they are still just kids.

-          When Mike Dyer broke Bo’s freshman rushing record and Bo hugged him and lifted his arm, it was an electric feeling. That was an amazing moment, whatever team you pull for. If it doesn’t mean something to you, then maybe it’s not a love a football you have.

You know what? I think even if I had chosen my team without the influence of my family, I would have chosen the same. It’s just who I am.

First Post

I've been thinking about starting a blog for some time now. I actually thought about it back in September. The reason I first wanted to do it was because a funny event happened at school, and I thought it would be fun to share the adventures of teaching high school. In case you are wondering, we FINALLY had a coke machine put in the teacher workroom. The school board had banned it. Since all schools have to serve healthy foods these days, (even if kids go home and eat junk and park it in front of the TV) the board decided the teachers didn't need one either. At any rate, the high school finally won, and we got our machine. Teachers kept coming into the work room and gazing at the machine in amazement. Seriously. Our principal said, 'It's a thing of beauty!'

So, that story is what inspired me to start a blog. It has just taken me way too long to do it.