Mom's Rules

"My house, my rules," is something that my parents recited to me numerous times growing up. However, over the last 3 1/2 years, their rules have slowly made their way into my house and my mouth. Some rules travel faster than others, the speed of "we're not air conditioning the neighborhood" is quite comparable to the speed of light. However, one of the rules I never thought would reach the maroon doors of my Fox Meadows apartment is my mom's favorite, "Don't Play Ball In The House!" Whether it was from my mother or the Brady Bunch, I often heard this rule, so that's no excuse. It's just something I didn't believe in and didn't take to heart.

Even after broken pictures, a decapitated porcelein donkey, angry neighbors and numerous cuts and bruises, the ASL (Apartment Sports League) was still going strong. The latest entry in the long-line of sporting events was X-treme House Horse. A rendition of the fan favorite, House Horse, the XHH combined the best part of House Horse, which of course is the location (Nick's Messy Room) with the best part of any good sport, violence. It began as a 1-on-1 (Chris V. Clinton) no fouls basketball game with the foam ball and small net. As the game progressed, the violence escalated. Soon enough, Nick entered the game making it more like a playground game of "Smear the Queer" than any sort of basketball game. As we fought for possession and tried to advance the ball to the hoop with gritted teeth, the loud crashes and screams were surely audible to Nina and the other residents of Fox Meadows. As the game winded down, I had been kicked in the eyeball, slapped in the face, and my large iPod in the hall had a serious dent in it from Nick's flying body. Pictures were knocked off the wall, Kittens food had catapulted from her food dish all across the room, and her water dish lay upside down.. Clinton was trying to make a last minute surge to take the victory in a game which we were not keeping score in. To quiet his attempts, I flew head first at him, knocking him over, into Nick's large stand up fan. Upon impact, the fan snapped in half and Clinton tumbled into Nick's bookshelf. The game was over. The sound of a fan breaking in half does well in place of a referee's whistle.

Stepping back and looking at the carnage and destruction that had occured in a short time, all three of us realized that mom's rule may actually hold some weight. Shortly afterward, the XHH was disbanded (due to the death of a fan.) However, in a house that has bullet holes from past residents, it's hard to see any of us putting an end to the fun and violence that characterizes The Ranch and instead of "Momma always says, don't play ball in the house," I think the saying, "Boys will be boys" is more applicable...

For Zachary

Ahh...Christmas is almost here. And it finally feels like...Fall? This is lovely weather for October, but quite disappointing weather for it almost being December. How is it going to snow on Christmas Eve if the weather doesn't leave the 50s? Ben, if you could do something about that, it would be swell. Our Christmas decorations are almost all up, Jimi's donned his wreath collar and Jack is wearing his reindeer antlers. The Christmas city on top of the entertainment center is bustling and despite heads missing from the Angel and the Donkey (we need to get some super glue), the nativity scene is set out in the living room. Our Christmas tree trumps Karen's rendition of a Charlie Brown Christmas. For the most part, it's Christmas on the inside of the ranch. All that we have left to do is hang our stockings and our outdoor Christmas lights. I love Christmas time.

And now to bring a smile to Zach's face, let me publicly announce that Nick has brought himself out of the fog of ignorance and realized that he indeed lost the 5th Grade Spelling Bee. Congratulations to Zach for being the true victor and to all of the rest of us because we won't have to hear this argument ever again! Thanks Nick for doing your research and coming clean! You get the Taking Initiative Award!

Lastly, plans have been set for my birthday. I don't want to be like Robert, so I decided more than 30 minutes in advance about where we're having birthday dinner. I decided to keep it on my actual birthday, despite it being right in the middle of finals. I figured that it'll be a good study break for the rest of y'all as well. So Monday, December 12 at 8PM be at Fridays.

The Week In Review

Alright, Alright. Catch Up Time. Thanksgiving has come and gone. It didn't seem like Thanksgiving though. I don't know if it was the short time I had in Corpus, the change in traditional plans, or just the hot weather. But it didn't seem Thanksgiving-y to me. However, it's been a good week. The week began on Sunday as it usually does. We filmed a short music video in which Clinton brilliantly sang my lyrics to a country tune and the song progressed to me dropping the flow over a beat put out by a drum, the video ended when Kelly and I sang to a rowdy crowd in a hard-core metal style. Despite my many singles, it was my first video. Watch for it on rotation on VH1.

Monday and Tuesday brought group projects as usual. Monday night, I attended a basketball game all fancy pants in my suit as it immediately followed a presentation that Nick and I gave. We felt like NBA scouts. Tuesday was Elephant Walk of Course. By far the oddest tradition at A&M...I felt like a goofball trying to explain it to Zach. Nonetheless, it was fun. We walked around like elephants and then I took my picture with one, conquering my fear.

I then headed home to Corpus for the next couple of days. It was good seeing my family. Normally for Thanksgiving, we have a BIG feast of a lunch next door at my grandparent's. However, this year we were unable to do this, so we all went to Furr's. I always thought dining out on Thanksgiving was wrong, but this was out of my control. It was good though. I had 9 plates of food. We then headed over to my other grandparent's house and had a second lunch at their house with the rest of the crazies that my family conisists of. I had another couple of plates and then dessert. When it was all said and done, I'm pretty sure I ate more food than anyone else in the state. I'm not going to lie. Even I was impressed.

Getting back up here Thursday night wasn't bad. The traffic on 77 was nearly non-existant. As soon as I hit 21 though, traffic picked up. Nearly every car I saw on 21 either had an Aggie window sticker or...a burnt orange one. The game Friday morning was fun. I knew they could hold the sips to a close one, I only wish they coulda pulled out a victory. I think with a healthy Courtney, we could have done it. As has been our season. Plauged with injuries. Of course a game like that gets everyone excited about next year. "Next year is our year." As has been the saying every year...

I did some holiday shopping this afternoon and some Happy Birthday Audra! shopping. I got home from the stores and was going to fill out Audra's birthday card. I looked around for a pen to no avail. So I pulled my backpack over to my desk, pulled the first pen I grabbed out. It was a blue and clear pen. A nice little rubber grip on the end. "I've never seen this pen before," I thought as I clicked it open. "Nice click-action. I wonder where it came from." I spun the pen around revealing the "VIAGRA" logo on the front. Whoa. I showed it to Clinton who gave me a laugh and no explination to where it could have come from. So now, as I type this, a Viagra pen sits on my desk in front of me. I don't know where it came from. If anyone has any information, I'd be grateful. However, if it's your pen, then you aren't getting it back. It's a nice pen.

BTHO t.u.

This is my last football game as a student. So I want to go out with a win. A win over that evil school in Austin. Despite all of t.u.'s expectations, despite our injuries that are too numerous to list, despite everyone's lack of hope, I want the Texas Aggies to stand on the field victorious at the end of the game. This is also several players' last game at Kyle, surely they want a win too. So I do not want my head hanging disappointedly as I walk out of the Student Section for the last time. There is no tomorrow boys, so play like it. And let's beat the Everloving Hell Outta t.u.! WHOOP!

November 18, 1999

This of course is the most solemn day in Aggieland. November 18, 1999 is the date that Bonfire fell. In the 90 years of the tradition, no one could fathom the tragedy it would bring. Every year we stop and remember the 12 lives that were lost in the fall. While I wasn't on campus at the time of the fall, I've heard the stories of most of these victims since and how they lived for Bonfire, how they prided themselves in this University and how dear they held the traditions. Last year marked the opening of the Bonfire Memorial. It is in place so that no one will ever forget what happened on that tragic November morning. A time when the Aggie Spirit could have been crushed, but proved to be stronger than ever. As news of the fall spread, Aggies gathered together. From on-campus and off. Both non-regs and cadets. People of all types came together, working all night to remove the logs from the fall. It was a time when the Aggie family came together like never before. Uniting was the whole theme behind the tradition of Bonfire, but never before had the Aggie Family come together like it did that night. Nationwide, people witnessed what it meant to be an Aggie. It was something that would be hard to forget. And if you're an Aggie, hopefully impossible. Although we're quite removed from the tragedy, there are still signs all around campus. The memorial itself, the uneasiness when anyone brings up the topic, the crowd that gathers to reflect and pray every year at 2:32AM at the site of centerpole. One reminder that I have been exposed to over the past semester sticks out to me. I see the last survivor pulled from Bonfire every once in a while on campus. Due to his surgeries, amputations, and rehibilitation efforts, completing his degree at the school he loves has been pushed back several years and he will now be graduating with the class of 2006. Confined to a wheelchair, he serves as a dynamic reminder of that tragedy. Even now, 3 years after the last class to witness Bonfire has graduated, Bonfire is something that has remained important to this university that I love. The Aggie Spirit that was built by Bonfire is still alive. With or without Bonfire, that Spirit will always burn.

In closing, I will share a couple of poems written by unknown authors. And also the Bonfire Rememberence Video that I review every year. (Right Click and Save As)

There is a rich tradition at the core of Aggieland
The center pole runs deep into the ground on which we stand
Every Aggie on this earth well knows the meaning and the yearn
To stand around this marvel, light the torch, and watch it burn.

The week of Final Push, in the year of '99
A crew of Ag's worked through the night to set the stacks on time
But something happened that November, and the news spread through the land
The Texas Aggie Bonfire had collapsed with all on hand.

At first the shocking tragedy had taken back the crew
But when the Fightin' Aggie Spirit rose, they knew what to do
The 12th man gathered round, not just to hope and pray
But like the final day of cut they hauled the logs away.

Battered, bruised and broken, they took them one by one
Twelve pots lay upon the ground, each a daughter or a son
They weren't in the stands that year to watch the Aggies play
But if they were I bet I know what all of them would say.

"I'm proud to be an Aggie, even more than I did then
And I'm proud of Aggie Bonfire and the spirit held within
So keep this fire burning in your hearts you know so well
And when we play t.u., you've got to beat them all to Hell!"

I know they're looking on us, their souls are filled with pride
Cause even though the Bonfire fell, the spirit never died
And when you gaze into the fire, and your heart begins to swell
Remember those twelve that were there, when Bonfire fell.

SILENT TRIBUTE
A hush has fallen over Aggieland,
Even the Wind has stilled
The rustling leaves of fall,
My Footsteps joined with others
Walking to the place that, a few days ago,
Had heard excited sounds as Aggies toiled
Into the night to raise Bonfire proud and tall.

Now Silence Reigns o'er Aggieland,
As each heart in private mourns
The fallen dreams of the Aggie Family.
I was drawn to this place, as others,
On this sunny and warm Texas fall day,
Tears trickled from my eyes as my footsteps
Grew nearer the site, and the silent hush of grief.

Silently, I saw the flowers and poems
That were tucked into the lattice fencing,
Even children, silent in this special place.
Each one brought there to honor the Aggies lost,
Silent tribute and prayer for the living..
Then the silence was broken, by a student from long ago,
On bagpipes he played the strains of Amazing Grace.

When the last note faded, there were tears in every eye.
We will remember. The Twelfth Man Spirit is alive.

Miranda D.Adams, Santa Fe
Christopher David Breen, Austin
Michael S. Ebanks,Carrollton
Jeremy Richard Frampton, Turlock, Calif.
Jamie Lynn Hand,Henderson
Christopher Lee Heard, Houston
Timothy Doran Kerlee,Bartlett, Tenn.
Lucas John Kimmel, Corpus Christi
Bryan AllanMcClain, San Antonio
Chad Anthony Powell, Keller
Jerry Don Self,Arlington
Nathan Scott West, Bellaire

Hoodie Weather

Not a whole bunch going on today. Just the usual work, class, group project agenda. The weather outside is glorious. I love hoodie days and that's precisely what today is.

Yesterday the front blew in, bringing a lot of rain. That morning, I saw a guy getting an umbrella out of his car. I thought to myself, "Why's he getting that. Is it going to rain or something?" Apparently I should have read Ben's blog earlier so I would have been prepared. But eventually, my question was answered as the rain pounded down on my unprotected head. It just so happened that yesterday was the day that my marketing class met at Target. I was the driver, so 2 of my MKTG friends and I ran through the rain singing songs, all the way to the garage. Meanwhile, the Accounting and Info majors looked from underneath their plain, black umbrellas with disgust. Finally we made it to Target, dripping wet. The rest of the time was spent learning about the store and promotions and the like. The tour ended near the candy idle. I pointed out to the manager who was leading the tour that Choxy was chocolate with moxy. He replied, "Yes. Thank you." But eventually the day ended and the lovely weather remained. I love it. And I'm beginning to actually believe that it is November. The 40 degree temperatures are far more convincing than the temperatures in the high 80's.

Sports and Sports and My Extended Forecast

Congrats to Women's Soccer for advancing to the Sweet Sixteen in the NCAA Tournament. And also, congrats to the football team for showing some heart on the field. The game this weekend was probably the best football game I've seen all year. It wasn't our best effort or most favorable outcome, but it was fun to watch. And that's what I look for in a football team that I've written off for the rest of the season. That being said, I was still awake at 5:45 AM to get to Kyle to pull tickets. We were about #34 on the list for window 5, so this will be the first game that we're not sitting right on the 50. But nonetheless, we got good tickets and I look forward to an A&M victory for my last game at Kyle Field as a student (Reggie's Too). Also, special congratulations to myself for dominating in Sumo Soccer at the Aggie Soccer Stadium during halftime of Sunday's game. After a vicious hit, my opponent was able to quickly score. But I came back and was able to take control of the game with more shots on goal and knock downs and eventually 2 goals giving me the victory. "Chris Wilson" chants were heard throughout the student section accompanied by the reverse "CW" Wrecking Crew hand signal. The first out on the field to congratulate me was my new little 7 year old friend sporting her "Kat Fan" t-shirt, Brianne. I hung out with her before the competition and she promised she'd cheer for me. I told her it was her cheers for me that helped me win. Which may or may not be true. But she met me on the field, introduced me to all of her friends of which I was their new hero, told her dad that I was her new best friend and then invited me to play Hide-and-Seek. Sadly, I had to leave for growth group and couldn't join them in their games. But I think I could have continued my winning and completely anihilated the children in Hide-and-Seek. But that was my excitement from this weekend. Sports and sports, that's usually what the weekends consist of.

As for this week? I think I'll try and emulate Ben's blog and forecast my week... There's a high-stress system moving in from West Campus that is sure to bring some heavy homework. The group projects are expected to stick around for the remainder of the month bringing with it some frustration and most likely pushing sleep out of the forecast. There is a 06% chance of fun over this next week, but as this semester begins to wind down, we should see happiness levels increasing. And that is your extended forecast. Stay tuned for your local on the 8's...

Highlight of my Week

With little sleep and a lot of school, these past few days have gone by in a hazy blur. Last night I managed to get away from my projects and actually see some of my friends. That was a welcome change. And of course we had breakfast this morning. We welcomed Karen to her first FMBWC.

Over this past week, most of the stuff I learned had to do with HP, Wal-Mart and assisted living. However, the knowledge that I have the best girlfriend ever was reinforced as well. I came home from another long day at school Wednesday Night (Thursday Morning) at nearly 1:00. I walked into my room and reached for the light switch as I stepped over the pile of stuff that had gradually made its way closer and closer to the door in the past few weeks. I hadn't had time to clean my room and it had been in disarray like never before. The lights in my room came on and I froze. I returned my foot to the ground and realized that there was no pile to step over. My room was straightened and free from clutter. Everything that had gathered to cover my carpet had found a place. I held my arms out to the side in disbelief. What had happened? Hearing the front door, I turned and walked back down the hall, arms still outstretched. It was Penny. I told her that I didn't know what had happened in my room. She took me back in the room and pointed out that the Cuddleheart Penguin she got me a few months ago had a note in his arms for me. Well it seems that Penny knew how stressed out I've been and how much the messy room had been bothering me. So she came over and cleaned it up for me. Clinton even joined in vacuuming. They really brightened my night. Which really wouldn't have been too hard to do as the sun was already down and the clouds shrouded the moon. But it was the sweetest thing. Penny is the best and I love her. I love Clinton too. Thanks y'all.

BLAH. I know. Soccer tonight, 1st round of the NCAA tourney. We're hosting Northwestern at 8PM. The second round is 2pm on Sunday. I imagine North Texas will beat SMU, so we should be playing them Sunday, after our victory tonight. Tockets should be about $2, so come out! Beating OU is completely possible tomorrow. I hope it happens...

This weekend should be as busy as the past week has been. I can't wait till the end of the semester...

Limericks are Fun

Tonight I have 2 group meetings,
I want to get busy after we exchange greetings,
But if you sit there and chat,
I'm not cool with that,
And instead, we'll have some group beatings...

Monday's Post on Tuesday

It seems I didn't write anything yesterday during work. It was a busy day, lots of work to do, plus it was Penny's first day with CIS. She's working right down the hall from me. In fact, I could slide my big green rolling chair out into the hallway and probably see the corner of her desk. She said she's enjoyed it so far and has definately already noted that CIS employees are crazy. And most of them are quite nerdy.

This weekend was fun, lotsa sports watching. It was good to be back in Reed, it was even better being in San Antonio to watch the Big 12 Soccer Tournament Championship. We made the trip down there Sunday afternoon to watch the Ags take on Colorado. The game extended into double overtime, which gave the less-than-classy Colorado fans a lot of time to get on my nerves. A couple of times, I had to yell back at them and let them know their behavior was dumb. But ultimately, Suzette quieted them all with her game-winning goal. Big 12 Regular Season Champs and Big 12 Tournament Champs for 2 straight years now. The NCAAs start this next week. We play host to the first 2 rounds, plus the final four and championship game. It's a very exciting time in Aggieland. Unless you're a football fan... (Like it was cued...Chad Schroeder hobbles by on his crutches as I typed that last sentence. A nearby friend of his calls out to him, "Tiny Tim!")

Well, my short visit to the WCL between classes is over, and so is this entry. One final note. I hate group projects...

Dentures and Orthepedic Shoes

That's most likely what I'm gong to be adding to my shopping list soon.

Last night, Nick and I went to JC Penney's after he and Karen and Merriam got their Aggie Rings (Whoop for them). Nick needed a new dress shirt for his senior pictures today. After hanging out in the suit and tie department for nearly 15 minutes, the realization hit me and I asked, "Nick. Is this where I'm going to be doing all my shopping a year from now?" He told me it probably would be. Nick's sheer excitement about buying a new shirt coupled with my future quickly closing in on me combined to form a huge message, "Dude. You're Old." I admitted to Nick that I didn't want to grow up, I didn't want to be excited about buying new ties on the weekends. And then I exclaimed, "Whoa! Check out these house shoes!" My oldness has been secured. With grad school slowly falling to the bottom of my list of probabilities, I don't know what I'm going to be doing or where I'll be. I do know that I'll be 22 and checking that next age box on surveys (Age: 22-25, instead of the 18-21 I've been used to) is going to be difficult (Nick knows). But it's a neccesary part of growing up. I've been looking at getting a PDA for my next phone upgrade in December. After last night's events, I now realize how old, business-man it is, but the features are very tempting as I already live by my simple day-planner on my cellphone. I make these choices without even realizing the change. I don't know the specific time you cross to adult-hood, but it seems that line is behind me. I must have missed it as I was looking for coupons in the Sunday paper... Yeah, so these are the insights and truths I left with last night as I left the store. Oh, and a merlot colored shirt. It'll look great with my suit.

With that out of the way. Aggie Soccer kicks off from San Antonio for round 2 of the Big 12 Championship at 4:30. We're the only game FSN is televising, so tune in. The men's football team, however is heading to Lubbock to play. It probably won't be pretty. Last I saw, the line was Tech -17. You'd better believe I took that. But good luck and Gig 'Em to all our teams playing. I'm still behind them 100%, I've just lost most of that blind hope I had at the beginning this football season. Also, basketball tips off tomorrow. That should be exciting.

It's Photographic Friday! Here are some pictures from the game last weekend.














My boo is such a thug.














Us guys enjoying some football.

Thought of the Day

Nick has his little thought of the day brought to you by Google on his blog, so I am going to give you a thought for the day. But this one is brought to you by me, not Google. Beat that.

"The only day that the best parking spot in your parking garage will be open is the same day that you need to park far away in a secluded space so you can change clothes in your car."

So true... And some dude still gave me weird looks when I was trying to put my belt on...

A Couple Of Things

I forgot a couple of important things yesterday. First, I added Ben's blog to the links on the right. He claims his blog is, "My attempt to unravel this intricate network of thoughts that collect in my brain. Oh yeah, and your 5 day local forecast." It should be as good as the name suggests.

And nearly as important, here's a mail call I wrote last week after a bad experience. They finally decided to publish it in the Batt yesterday. Thanks Batt editors for editing my letter and creating a run-on sentence in the middle. Sbisa Spirit at an All Time Low

Now I guess I'd better run along to class and that test I forgot about till last night... We'll see how that goes. Have a nice and cold November 1st!