Texas Tech Tuna

So Texas Tech vs. Texas.. DAMN what a game with a piss-poor ending. My take? Classic Texas Tech football. The team played their asses off and still wound up with the loss. Why? No, not the officiating – although that was horrendous. I place “blame” on two things: bad play calling and a lack of discipline.

Bad play calling – Mike Leach calls a timeout in the 4th quarter with (I think) around six minutes remaining. Why? The offense had momentum. They were driving the field with exceptional poise. Maybe Leach saw something he didn’t like in the defense; I don’t know. But let your quarterback, who has played an outstanding game, run the offense. That leads into the actual play selection. Throughout the game, the fade wasn’t working. What WAS working were the 10-15 yard slants, the curls, and the screens. So why in the fourth quarter did we start throwing fades? Doesn’t make sense.

Discipline, or lack thereof, was huge on defense. The four facemask penalties for 50 yards KILLED us. Period. Overall we had twelve penalties for a total of 127 yards. That’s unacceptable.

The fix? In my opinion, Leach’s time is over. While he has taken Tech to the next level from where Spike Dykes left off, he’s not the one to take us to the next higher level of play. I still don’t think he understands that defense wins games. This Texas game definitely impressed me on how all three sides of the ball played. But I don’t think it’s here to stay. We have a problem on our team in that we don’t have a team. We have a group of student athletes playing football together. Too many egos. Playing four square in the locker room won’t make a team. It starts at the top, and I don’t think Leach is the man to lead this team.

My solution? Approach Bill Parcells and persuade him to come back to Tech. After the year the Cowboys have had, and the fact that Jerry Jones is a moron, I don’t think Parcells will take too much more of it. He wants to win and has the drive to make it happen.

We got Bob Knight to come here; why not Bill Parcells?

On a happier note, Tuesday marks the beginning of a new era of Lady Raider basketball. Marsha Sharp retired and Kristy Curry has the reigns of the most storied sports program at Tech. Monica and I will be there again this year with season tickets. Go Lady Raiders!

Am I Old?

Does it mean I’m old if I listen to Paul Harvey and actually like it?

One Tough Grandma

I don’t try to force my political opinions on anyone. But hell – this is my blog and I’ll say what I damn well please!

I got this email today. I’ve been sold on Strayhorn for a while now.

Early voting starts today. When I announced my candidacy, I said it is time to set aside partisan politics and do what’s right for Texas. Texans have an opportunity to send that message to Austin by shaking up the two-party system with their vote on November 7th. I am asking for the vote of all Texans who believe it is time to change things in Austin. The momentum is with us. All across our great State, Texans come up to me with their prayers and words of encouragement. People are sick and tired of partisan politics that is beholden to special interests.

It’s time to put Texans first, not special interests. That is why I outlined my Texas First Agenda to make our schools great, to secure our borders and critical infrastructure, and to bring about responsible government that listens to the people.

I encourage each of you to reach out to as many friends and family members as possible. Let them know about our campaign to shake things up and bring about positive change for a better Texas. Urge them to go to the polls. We want as many Texans as possible voting. Victory is within reach.

Now is the time to for all Texans who want change to unite together and send a powerful message to the two-party establishment. Together, we will put an end to the status quo in Austin. Thank you for your support, and God bless our great State of Texas.

Carole Keeton Strayhorn
www.CaroleStrayhorn.com

Chicago Here We Come!

Looking back at my last few blog entries, I can’t believe I overlooked posting this..

Monica and I are traveling to Chicago for New Year’s! Aside from our trip to Arlington, TX this past summer, this is our first true vacation/trip since our honeymoon to Las Vegas two years ago. We’re very excited about heading to the Windy City. Planned activities:

• Visiting family and showing Monica where I was born. I haven’t seen my Aunt Chris and cousin Kelly in over five years, and Monica has never met either of them. We’ll be able to meet Kelly’s husband and see their kids for the first time too. Plus we’re going to go visit my grandparent’s gravesites.
• Chicago Bears game! We’re going to see the Chicago Bears play the Green Bay Packers! For those who don’t follow the NFL, the Bears and Packers rivalry is pretty big; probably the Bears’ biggest. Not only that, this game may be Brett Farve’s (quarterback for the Packers; one of the all-time greats) last. I’ve never been to Solider Field, so needless to say I’m VERY excited about this.
• Blue Man Group. If you’ve never heard of the Blue Man Group, check out their website. It’s amazing what they do. We didn’t get a chance to see the Las Vegas show, so we’re not missing out seeing this one in Chicago.
• Wicked. This musical is about the witches of Oz. I’ve heard nothing but rave reviews about this, and Monica was eager to see it.

We’re staying at a Radisson in Northbrook; we got an amazing rate through my company’s connections.

I’ll be sure to post an entry and some pictures once we get back.

Is it Decemeber 28th yet?

Uncle Take 2!

Congratulations to my sister Kim and brother-in-law Ryan! They are expecting their second baby!

Seriously?

Having done customer service work before, I can understand the monotony of the job as well as the need for “canned replies” in helpdesk/email applications.

This one takes the cake though. Mind you that I have not altered this response in any way. My question simply asked when additional HD channels would be added by my cable provider.

Dear Mr. or Mrs. Customer,

At this time I am not sure when those will be available, However we e are continuously upgrading our system to bring more services to our customer’s.

Thank you for your inquiry. Suddenlink is committed to providing the best customer service possible.

What rivalry?

Texas A&M coach (I use that term loosely) Dennis Franchione says Texas Tech and A&M aren’t rivals. I think he’s just upset he hasn’t excelled at A&M.

Can I say this?

You have to love email forwards.

I received this twice from two different people in a span of three days. It’s too damn funny not to post.

25 Things You Wish You Could Say at Work

1. I see your point, but you’re still full of shit.
2. I don’t know what your problem is, but I bet it’s hard to pronounce.
3. I see you’ve set aside this special time to publicly humiliate yourself.
4. Who lit the fuse on your tampon?
5. And your cry-baby whiny assed opinion would be?
6. Whatever kind of look you were going for…no, just…no.
7. Do I look like a friggin’ people person to you?
8. The fact that no one understands you doesn’t mean you’re an artist.
9. I’m visualizing you with duct tape over your mouth.
10. Nice perfume, but must you marinate in it?
11. I will always cherish the initial misconceptions I had about you.
12. Thank you. We’re all refreshed and challenged by your unique point of view.
13. What am I? Flypaper for freaks?
14. This isn’t an office. It’s Hell with fluorescent lighting.
15. How about “never”? Is “never” good for you?
16. I’m not being rude. You’re just insignificant.
17. Oh, I get it. Like humor. Only different.
18. If I throw a stick out in the hall, will you leave?
19. Wait a minute – I’m just trying to imagine you with a personality.
20. How do I set this laser printer to stun?
21. Ahhh. I see the screw-up fairy has visited us again.
22. It kinda sounds like English, but I don’t understand a friggin’ thing you’re saying.
23. I’ll try being nicer if you try being smarter.
24. Yes, I am an agent of Satan, but my duties are largely ceremonial.
25. You’re validating my inherent mistrust of strangers.