What a Season

If anyone had told me that Texas Tech at some point this season would be ranked #2 I would have said they were crazy. I have been rather vocal about my opinions on Mike Leach (link 1, link 2, link 3), but maybe I’ve been wrong. 

After seeing the potential displayed this season, Tech absolutely can play on par with the big dogs. Sure, we lost big to Oklahoma. But that’s one game in a season of twelve games. 

This season proves two things in my mind:

1. Defense still wins games. Ruffin’s defense played consistent the entire season — up until the Oklahoma game. They looked discombobulated that entire game, and it spilled over into the first half of the Baylor game.
2. Of equal importance to defense is consistency at quarterback. Graham’s maturity in the program is one of the reasons Tech had such a great season. We cannot go back to the one-year-starter routine again. I think Taylor Potts only has two years of eligibility remaining, so maybe he shouldn’t be the starter.

One final thought regarding this season.. the Tech-Texas game. I am sick and tired of hearing football “experts” on ESPN, ABC, etc. state that Texas lost the game on the last play. The way they are saying it is rather condescending towards Tech. Why? Tech did what it needed to do to win — especially in the first half. Texas came out firing in the second half.. there’s no doubting that. But just because Tech won on the final play only means that they performed well exactly when they needed to in order to win. That exemplifies the media bias against Tech.

In any event, it’s been a great season. If things play out like it seems they will, we’re likely going to the Cotton Bowl. Hopefully we can finally win the game.

Wreck ‘Em Tech!

Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving.

Its meaning varies from person to person. For me, Thanksgiving forever changed in my eyes last year. It’s about family and friends. It’s about being thankful for the things in life so many take for granted.

But back to family. Thanksgiving is about celebrating family. It’s about taking the best traditions of two families and merging them together while adding new ideas to the mix.

I’m so damn lucky. I have an absolutely beautiful wife — inside and out. I have a precious miracle daughter whose resilience amazes me on a daily basis. I have a wonderful sister, brother-in-law, and two nieces that I am so glad are in my life and live close by. I’ve got a loving, supportive mother and father that have been there for me every step of the way. I have a caring and encouraging mother-in-law and father-in-law. I have an energetic and kind-hearted sister-in-law. Then there’s my uncle, aunt, cousins, etc.

Yep. I’m thankful.

And one of the things Katie Lynn’s ordeal taught me is that Thanksgiving is one day out of the year to reflect, but it’s most important to live it every day.

Fox Sports.. For Shame.

Because the Green Bay-Chicago game is not competitive anymore, we are taking you to the Tampa Bay-Minnesota game which is quite [their emphasis] competitive.

Seriously? I realize the Bears weren’t playing well at all, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to watch the end of the game.

Tacky, Fox Sports. Tacky.

Birthday Tears

Today is my daughter’s first birthday.. and this morning I cried.

Wait.. aren’t birthdays supposed to be fun?

Absolutely!

And what a fun day we had today. Monica and I decided to take the day off to celebrate Katie Lynn’s birthday. We started out the day taking one year pictures and family pictures. After lunch and picking up the photos, we drove over to the Fort Worth Zoo and spent two and half hours there. Tonight, we had our family over for dinner and cake to help celebrate the day.

So why the tears?

For those that don’t know, Katie Lynn had a rough start to her life. To be where she is today is nothing short of a miracle. Last night I experienced a plethora of flashback dreams: Katie Lynn’s birth, all three surgeries, changing ostomy bags, TPN bags, etc.

This morning we were getting ready for the day. I picked up Katie Lynn, hugged her, and just started crying happy tears.  My little girl has been through so much.

So yes, I cried. And I am not ashamed to admit that.

The Most Hassle-Full “No Hassles” Credit Card

For various reasons, Monica and I decided to apply for a Capital One “No Hassles” credit card. Simple enough, right?

Of course not.

Online application process was quick and easy. Approved within minutes. Great!

But that’s when the fun started.

While waiting for the new credit card to arrive, I get a call from my mom. Capital One had called their house to verify information as part of their fraud prevention techniques. WHAT?! Why on earth would they call a phone number that:

1. Isn’t the one I provided on the application?
2. Isn’t my current residence?
3. Has not been a phone number I have used in thirteen years?

That is ridiculous. I do not appreciate Capital One calling a phone number that, while luckily ended up belonging to my parents, was not mine. They could have been talking to a complete stranger inquiring about my personal, private financial transaction.

Okay, I finally get ahold of someone knowledgeable at Capital One and get that cleared up. Finally received the cards and proceeded to make two purchases one of which was large. 

More troubles. I get an email from one of the places where I made a purchase saying they could not receive authorization for the purchase.

So I get back on the phone with Capital One who proceed to inform me that my account is restricted due to suspected fraud.

WHAT?!

Supposedly, this “no hassles” credit card indeed comes with some hassles.. such as requiring a phone call to Capital One when you’re going to make a purchase over a certain dollar amount. That’s not a hassle, right?

Okay, so I confirm the purchases and restriction removed. All clear, right?

Nope. Not on this “no hassles” credit card.

A few days ago I receive my PIN number in the mail. I proceed to check online for a place to change it to something I would remember. And what do I notice? The account is once again restricted!

So I again call up Capital One. Apparently, their fraud department once again flagged my account as potential fraud. In order to have the restriction removed, I will need to fax them my driver’s license, social security card, and a utility bill that isn’t a cell phone bill.

Wait.. huh?

Let me see if I get this straight. I apply for a credit card, I receive the credit card, I make purchases, I confirm purchases.. and my card is just now being flagged as potential fraud?!

So being the inquisitive person that I am, I ask the third representative I had been transfered to (since the previous two were obviously reading from a script) what would happen if I didn’t send the information they requested? It’s a legitimate question since there is no way I am faxing my social security card to them. He tells me I can go to my bank and have them call Capital One to perform a “visual verification”. Okay, fine. So I continue on with my inquisition by asking, “And if I don’t do that?” My account remains restricted. Okay, so what. Capital One just won’t receive any additional money from me. The representative says, “That’s your decision, but you will still be liable for the balance.” Of course I am.. I made the purchases; I am going to pay for them.

Fraud prevention and ID theft is big these days. I get that. I deal with it every day at work. I fully understand the need to be absolutely certain about these things. But Capital One has done everything backwards here: account approved, credit card mailed, purchases made, then restrict the account for fraud prevention? No. Fraud prevention means just that — being proactive in fraud prevention; not being reactive.

Luckily for Capital One this one case is not fraud. I cannot imagine the amount of money they have actually lost due to real fraud based on their backwards fraud prevention techniques.

My take – avoid Capital One at all costs. Their “no hassles” credit card is anything but free from hassles.