Yes, been away from the blogging for some time. And no, I (still) don't plan to have this blog die out. I continue to have material and intend to share, in the coming days, my adventures on a jaunt to Minnesota over Christmastime, my thoughts on Operation Varsity Blues and other items lingering in my brain. For today, though, here a few quick hitters:
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In the “I Guess It Didn’t Matter Anyway” Department:
When Kansas State football was about to begin its conference schedule, I talked with a few K-State students. I recall one of them making a prediction that the Wildcats would defeat all of their opponents before hosting Oklahoma on October 26. Which might mean....ESPN's College Gameday coming to Manhattan? At the time of this discussion K-State had just returned from defeating Mississippi State in Starkville and after a bye week would go to Stillwater to play the Oklahoma State Cowboys. One of the other guys mentioned Oklahoma State playing well but the prognosticator brushed it off, saying "We've always owned Oklahoma State."
Cough. As we all now know, K-State would fall to not only Oklahoma State but also to Baylor before defeating TCU prior to the Sooners coming to town. Obviously no College Gameday. As it turned out, no matter.
For the 10/26 location, the Gameday producers elected that date for their annual "off-the-beaten-path" destination.
Brookings, South Dakota.
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Fitbit? Probably not now…
After Geogal bought her Apple Watch I was welcome to use her Fitbit Alta. While it isn't tremendously versatile it can at least track the amount of exercise and remind me to move should I be too sedentary.
I also pondered getting myself a more sophisticated Fitbit device as I'm curious about my heart rate and also could use something waterproof given my affinity for swimming as a form of exercise.
However the Fitbit company lost me as a customer. Why? I'll reference an email which hit my inbox November 1. Titled "Fitbit to be acquired by Google." Included in the body of the message:
You, our users, are at the center of everything we do, and it’s important that you know that your trust is central to our mission and has been since day one. This will not change by joining Google. We are committed to the same strong data privacy and security protections. You will always be in control of your data, and we will remain transparent about the data we collect and why. We never sell your personal information, and Fitbit health and wellness data will not be used for Google ads.
Do they truly think I'm that gullible? I cannot be comfortable knowing my exercise information is in the hands of Google.
Maybe I'll get a Garmin watch. (Although I'm fond of other Apple products I just don't need all the bells/whistles that are a part of Watch, or the price tag.)
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College football is winding down but the bowl games remain enjoyable. Unless you're in the Big 12 conference.
At the time I write this the Big 12 has had a terrible bowl season. As in “big goose egg” embarrassing. Oklahoma State loses to Texas A&M and Iowa State got demolished by Notre Dame (and I was driving through the heart of Cy the Cyclone country while hearing that radio broadcast). What could I say about Oklahoma's loss that hasn't already been beaten into the ground by numerous sports reporters?
At least today Kansas State and Texas will suit up against their opponents, then tomorrow Baylor gets to show its stuff in the Sugar Bowl.
Maybe, just maybe, these three teams will offer the conference some postseason redemption.
See you in 2020!!
