Strange things always happen to the University of Texas Longhorns whenever they venture out to Lubbock to play the Texas Tech Red Raiders. It’s almost like taking a trip through the Bermuda Triangle. Strange things just happen. Defense disappears. Offense disappears. Strange penalties are called. And lots of them. Even coaches disappear in the Lubbock Triangle these days. In honor of “Talk Like A Pirate Day”, it is only fitting to mention my favorite pirate coach, Mike Leach. Leach, one of the most innovative offensive coaches in college football, was dismissed by Texas Tech in December. This was following the rather bizarre story (and subsequent media fiasco) involving player Adam James – who just happens to be the son of ESPN commentator and former SMU Mustang running back Craig James. Then there was the disappearance (aka firing) of interim head coach Ruffin McNeill, who led the Red Raiders to victory in the 2010 Alamo Bowl – only to be replaced by not-so-terribly-exciting coach Tommy Tuberville.
But before we even discuss the road trip to Lubbock, we need to make mention of the previous Horns game against Wyoming – just to keep you up-to-date.
One word can be used to describe it: boring. Pretty simple.
Now on to the main discussion – would the Leach-less Red Raiders pull another upset over the Longhorns? Would the ghost of Christmas past (aka Michael Crabtree’s last second touchdown against Texas in 2008) make an appearance? Or would some semblance of sanity and order reign supreme in the Big 12 (errrr 10) this week?
Week one of the 2010 Longhorns football schedule has come and gone. And as Yogi Berra once said, it’s deja vu all over again. Consider this series of events and let me know if you’ve heard it any of it before …
The Longhorns go into an early season game as 30 point favorites. They essentially don’t show up (read: miss the bus to the game) for the first quarter, leaving themselves only three quarters to get their heads in the game. They subsequently give up a few quick points in the process. They manage to right themselves, doing as little as possible to accomplish this, and escape with a win. And leave as many question marks as they had before the game.
How many times did this occur last year? It was a regularity. And I will guarantee this – too many of these first quarter slumbers, especially against quality opposition, and we are doomed.
The Longhorns went into the off-season with a number of problems to resolve. And, imagine this, nothing has changed. Funny how players change, but the scenario (and the coaching staff) doesn’t. Coincidence? I suspect not. The starting rotation is typically full of “the best players of August” (i.e. Cody Johnson, James Kirkendoll), but as we all know, national championships are not won in August.
The deja vu was rampant. Where do I start?
Joke of the day: What do Gordie Howe and Glenn Beck have in common? Answer: they are both right wingers. Go ahead and laugh. I know you want to laugh.
But on a more serious note, I am really starting to take issue with the growing fanaticism that is the American socio-political scene. And worse yet, I am really starting to get concerned about how intolerant personal agendas are being promoted as “for the good of the country” when in fact they throw the meaning and intent of the constitution under the bus because of those same aforementioned agendas.
Look no further than the First Amendment. Look no further than Glenn Beck. And look no further than the political rhetoric being espoused in order to accrue some votes (and leverage some fear and hatred) in the upcoming midterm elections.
We’re being told incessantly that our freedoms are being limited by the current presidency. But are the right wingers of the country (and no, I am not talking about Gordie Howe wannabes) creating exactly the scenario in which they profess to be against?
How about we start with the roots – the First Amendment itself.
Note: This post appeared in the 8/22/2010 issue of the Austin American-Statesman in the “Tales Of The City” column. I have added some additional musings (italics) and video clips to the original article.
Some might call it a journey. Some might call it a life-changing adventure. Whatever name you use, the inspiration for it began many years ago, in a place far removed from the Lone Star State – the Great White North.
The date was August 16, 1984. The place –the National Arts Center in Ottawa, Canada, perhaps the perfect acoustic environment for live music. The performers? None other than Stevie Ray Vaughan and Double Trouble. I was 18 years old – sitting there stunned, mesmerized, awestruck by the legendary power of Vaughan’s expression with a guitar. This was live blues music as I’d only imagined. If Austin, Texas was producing guitar players (and the blues) like this, then that was something that I had to experience firsthand.
I will be the first to admit: the dogs days of summer have gotten the better of me. And the way the summer has gone thus far in the news world, if you’ve already poked fun at BP, then you pretty well have the summer’s news covered.
You would think that this be a good time to simply sit down and write while enjoying the cool air conditioning and a cold unspecified and to-be-named-at-a-later-date beverage? For those that live in Texas, you know what happens though – the heat just saps the maple syrup right out of you (insert much Canadian laughter here).
In the midst of sweating my way through the summertime blues, there was time for another episode of Rhubarb Ruminations.
#1: Roger Clemens was indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly lying to Congress. So, hold the presses here. Before people start jumping to conclusions, this is not about whether he did or did not take steroids. This is about whether or not he lied. So, Polyanna, why are we so surprised that lies and deceit exist in the hallowed halls of Congress, on either side of the table? Legislators do this day in and day out – without any congressional (or judicial) impact whatsoever.
But perhaps the bigger question is this: what the hell is Congress doing putting good money and time into Congressional hearings on steroid use in baseball in the first place? This is an issue that needs to be resolved by Major League Baseball (and I am looking at you, Mr. Selig), not our legislators.
Sure, we’d all like to know if Barry Bonds was juiced when he broke Aaron’s record. Fair enough. But is it illegal, in the United States, to consume human growth hormone or steroids?
Sunday 7/25/2010 was a sad day for Austin and for the cycling world. It marked what many expect to be the official end to Lance Armstrong’s distinguished cycling legacy, his farewell day in his final Tour de France. It was an unlucky 13th Tour de France for Armstrong. He had a tire puncture at a highly inopportune moment on the cobblestones. He also had more crashes in this one Tour than he’d suffered in his previous 12 Tours combined. It was not an easy go of things for Armstrong in his final dance through the French countryside. But as they say, c’est la vie, non?
We’ve already heard talk of whether or not Alberto Contador could possibly eclipse Armstrong’s record seven Tour de France victories. He’s currently on top of the world cycling, and he looks to have a strong future ahead.
But there are some huge contrasts which serve to bring one recurrent theme to the forefront. Alberto Contador is no Lance Armstrong – and for oh so many reasons. Contador could indeed be the next great Tour de France champion. But right now, he’s got a lot to learn and much of it, as Lance would say, is not about the bike. It’s about the man.
What made Armstrong so special? And how could Contador take a few notes for the future?
Soccer. The word can conjure up visions of almost religious quality. Every four years, the craziness ensues and the religion is played out on center stage. There has even been a goal attributed to the Hand of God (or Diego Maradona’s hand, you pick) – but more on that later. On one hand, you have the beauty of a world-class athlete playing a sport that is elegant in it’s simplicity. There are few rules, and all you need are a pair of cleats and a ball. I had the opportunity to watch a couple of second round games in Dallas during the 1994 World Cup. Having played soccer in high school, I know what is involved. However, the game of soccer – played correctly and by skilled, world-class players – is absolutely elegant and beautiful. You witness the ability to perform magic with the ball. It truly is phenomenal.
And there are the players who oftentimes go by just one name. Kaka, for example. I think we need that in the US. I have no doubt it would improve the coolness factor, to go along with the inherent beauty of the game. It happens in big-time pro sports in the US already. Tell me, does Kobe have a last name? How about Tiger? Yeah I didn’t think so. Maybe that is what US Soccer is missing.
But on the other hand, you have the officiating. And yes, in retrospect, the 2010 World Cup had some absolutely lousy officiating. Along with the temper tantrums and political divisiveness that oftentimes follow soccer by the heels.
The officiating hit home – literally, and figuratively.
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