For those of you wondering (all zero of you!), yes I ordered my Verizon iPhone last night.
Decided to go with the 32 gig model, figured it's worth the extra hundred bucks.
I figure to get it early the week of February 20 (these things don't even ship until Feb. 18). Then I'll enter the brave new world of apps and mobile web. Bet you anything after I've had that gadget a few months I will wonder how I ever got along without it.
For those of you who don't know me, I enjoy my desktop and laptop Macs and I use a laptop PC every day at work. I've got a good iTunes library going and use not one, but two, iPod Nanos. (A first generation and a fifth.) Yet despite my affection for things digital I don't own an iPhone (yet) or an iPad. I figure if I traveled greatly for my work I would probably have both but my needs are met with what I have currently.
So why the iPhone?
First, my current cell phone battery is already showing signs of slowdown. Second, I've found myself sometimes desiring a phone that has just a few more features (such as a music player, still and video camera, and the ability to go online and do more than just pull my e-mail. The iPhone fits all of these needs and a whole lot more.
Plus I already fulfilled the two-year contract for my current cell phone, so I won't lose anything in the transition. So why not? What is there to lose?
Nothing. And there's a whole lot to gain.
I did buy the data plan for my new 'phone. Geogal and I will enjoy being able to get online even if there is no available wi-fi. We won't be going back to the days of pulling into a hotel's parking lot to glom onto their free wi-fi (we actually did this once, in the Kansas City area).
And besides, it really won't set me back much. I pulled out a Macworld magazine from September 2007, with the cover story titled "Hello, iPhone." Back in those olden days $499 would get you a 4 gig model, with 8 gigs costing $599.
Shoot, I feel like I'm getting a deal!
Thursday, February 10, 2011
Monday, February 07, 2011
Post-football thoughts
Yes, I watched (most of) the Big Game.
Rooted for the Packers, just don't like the Steelers much. Gotta like Aaron Rodgers, class act all the way (at least for now). In total juxtaposition to Roethlisberger.....
____________________________________________
Wittiest comment of the night came from Geogal, immediately following the Eminem ad for Lipton Brisk:
"That ought to get a 15-yard penalty for bad commercial."
____________________________________________
My favorite ad (at least from the ones I saw)? Believe it or not, one of the spots from the Obama Auto Company:
Rooted for the Packers, just don't like the Steelers much. Gotta like Aaron Rodgers, class act all the way (at least for now). In total juxtaposition to Roethlisberger.....
____________________________________________
Wittiest comment of the night came from Geogal, immediately following the Eminem ad for Lipton Brisk:
"That ought to get a 15-yard penalty for bad commercial."
____________________________________________
My favorite ad (at least from the ones I saw)? Believe it or not, one of the spots from the Obama Auto Company:
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Add this to the list of things I never thought I would say
Checked the late afternoon weather stats while at work.
"Hey, things are warming up! The wind chill factor is now 16 below."
(At the beginning of the workday it was 33 below.)
"Hey, things are warming up! The wind chill factor is now 16 below."
(At the beginning of the workday it was 33 below.)
Monday, January 31, 2011
Reflections on a windy snowy evening
Last Friday it was in the 60's. Today it barely got into the teens. Then the cold really hit. I won't share what tonight's wind chills are expected to be (don't want to scare you). Then by Friday it should be in the 40's. Downright balmy.
Little Geoana doesn't have school tomorrow. (When the projected wind chill hits 25 below zero they automatically cancel public education.) Geogal will be home with her (even if they had school we still would keep her home as little Geoana was sent home sick today).
As for me, I have to get up, dress warm, dig out my vehicle, and get my carcass to work. (I'm not complaining, I'm just sayin'....)
Tonight's meal was roasted chicken with green beans. I intimated mashed potatoes would go well with the meat and veggie, especially since yesterday's roast beef dish (prepared in the pressure cooker) yielded a heckuva lotta gravy. Good gravy. Gravy that doesn't come from a packet.
Geogal agreed. When we were eating I simply said, "It's just a potatoes and gravy kind of night." Cold outside, need to stay warm on the inside.
_______________________________
Speaking of the pressure cooker, we used it twice during the weekend. Pinto beans (goes good with cornbread) and the aforementioned roast. The amazing part is that I started with dried pintos. Not soaked overnight. Totally dry.
Less than an hour later I had a pinto bean concoction ready for eating. Beans were nice and soft. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't cooked it myself.
_______________________________
The same time I was making the beans, Geogal was baking banana bread. Our kitchen had an interesting mix of smells. Oniony and bakery-sweet, at the same time. Still beats eating out.
Little Geoana doesn't have school tomorrow. (When the projected wind chill hits 25 below zero they automatically cancel public education.) Geogal will be home with her (even if they had school we still would keep her home as little Geoana was sent home sick today).
As for me, I have to get up, dress warm, dig out my vehicle, and get my carcass to work. (I'm not complaining, I'm just sayin'....)
Tonight's meal was roasted chicken with green beans. I intimated mashed potatoes would go well with the meat and veggie, especially since yesterday's roast beef dish (prepared in the pressure cooker) yielded a heckuva lotta gravy. Good gravy. Gravy that doesn't come from a packet.
Geogal agreed. When we were eating I simply said, "It's just a potatoes and gravy kind of night." Cold outside, need to stay warm on the inside.
_______________________________
Speaking of the pressure cooker, we used it twice during the weekend. Pinto beans (goes good with cornbread) and the aforementioned roast. The amazing part is that I started with dried pintos. Not soaked overnight. Totally dry.
Less than an hour later I had a pinto bean concoction ready for eating. Beans were nice and soft. I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't cooked it myself.
_______________________________
The same time I was making the beans, Geogal was baking banana bread. Our kitchen had an interesting mix of smells. Oniony and bakery-sweet, at the same time. Still beats eating out.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Results
How was the chicken?
Good. But more than that, moist!
When I bake or grill a pullet I tend to err on the side of caution which translated means overcooking it just a bit. Rather have meat that's a bit dry than to run the risk of gastrointestinal upset and associated unpleasantness.
But in that pressure cooker retaining fluid and flavor is no problem. The cooking did take a little more time than I anticipated. I did the recommended 12 minutes for a couple of leg quarters. Do quick pressure release, then check the bird pieces. On initial visual inspection the meat looked cooked but a quick cut revealed plenty of dark red blood inside.
Lock the lid, back to more high pressure.
After 12 more minutes everything was nicely done. I did last night's meal up simple, just the leg quarters with some celery, carrots, onion, kosher salt, pepper, and granulated garlic.
Good eatin'.
Good. But more than that, moist!
When I bake or grill a pullet I tend to err on the side of caution which translated means overcooking it just a bit. Rather have meat that's a bit dry than to run the risk of gastrointestinal upset and associated unpleasantness.
But in that pressure cooker retaining fluid and flavor is no problem. The cooking did take a little more time than I anticipated. I did the recommended 12 minutes for a couple of leg quarters. Do quick pressure release, then check the bird pieces. On initial visual inspection the meat looked cooked but a quick cut revealed plenty of dark red blood inside.
Lock the lid, back to more high pressure.
After 12 more minutes everything was nicely done. I did last night's meal up simple, just the leg quarters with some celery, carrots, onion, kosher salt, pepper, and granulated garlic.
Good eatin'.
Sunday, January 23, 2011
New Toy
Those of you who know me know I don't just go around yammering about the latest in TV technology or ramble endlessly about hunting and shooting. Or talk to no end about any of my interests. Of hobbies, though, I do have many.
One of them is cooking.
Don't know if I've written much about culinary preparation on this blog (other than subjects that are related to grilling). Earlier this month Geogal bought a new gadget from our local kitchen supply retailer.
A Cuisinart electric pressure cooker.
I used it for the first time last Sunday. Lentil soup (made with vegetable stock--completely vegan dish). Delicious! Even little Geoana gave it her seal of approval.
Today I'm experimenting with chicken leg quarters. Nice to take chances on a weekend, where the evening meal sit-down time can be adjusted as needed.
One of them is cooking.
Don't know if I've written much about culinary preparation on this blog (other than subjects that are related to grilling). Earlier this month Geogal bought a new gadget from our local kitchen supply retailer.
A Cuisinart electric pressure cooker.
I used it for the first time last Sunday. Lentil soup (made with vegetable stock--completely vegan dish). Delicious! Even little Geoana gave it her seal of approval.
Today I'm experimenting with chicken leg quarters. Nice to take chances on a weekend, where the evening meal sit-down time can be adjusted as needed.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Finally!!!!!!!!!!
No more waiting, the iPhone is finally available on Verizon's network.
Before much longer I will join the ranks of geeks and non-geeks who use a myriad of programs available through the Apple App Store. I've held out up to this point, using my old-style cell phone for, well, making phone calls. And sending the occasional text.
Now comes the big question: Do I ante up as soon as possible? (The contract on my current phone has long since expired.) Or do I hold out till the summer, when Apple most likely brings a 4G-compatible product to the market?
Stay tuned.
Before much longer I will join the ranks of geeks and non-geeks who use a myriad of programs available through the Apple App Store. I've held out up to this point, using my old-style cell phone for, well, making phone calls. And sending the occasional text.
Now comes the big question: Do I ante up as soon as possible? (The contract on my current phone has long since expired.) Or do I hold out till the summer, when Apple most likely brings a 4G-compatible product to the market?
Stay tuned.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Good progress, but I'm not replacing my EyeTV just yet
I was wondering when someone would make a device that would turn the iPad into a portable digital TV set.
This is one such product, but I'm holding out to see if a more reputable manufacturer (are you listening, Elgato?) brings something similar to the market.
My Macbook works well with the EyeTV DTV stick, but to use something such as the iPad would be a whole lot more convenient!
This is one such product, but I'm holding out to see if a more reputable manufacturer (are you listening, Elgato?) brings something similar to the market.
My Macbook works well with the EyeTV DTV stick, but to use something such as the iPad would be a whole lot more convenient!
Saturday, January 08, 2011
Batten down those hatches!
The bit o' snow we received 9 nights ago is just about all melted off (courtesy of high temps this week being in the 40's and low 50's). That must mean it's time for...
More of the white stuff.
Depending on which weather web site you follow our area is slated to get anywhere from five to ten inches between tonight and Monday.
Geogal just got back from doing the weekly grocery and non-food shopping and said the stores were packed. "Everyone was stocking up."
Wow. I hate to think what might occur if a blizzard is forthcoming.
More of the white stuff.
Depending on which weather web site you follow our area is slated to get anywhere from five to ten inches between tonight and Monday.
Geogal just got back from doing the weekly grocery and non-food shopping and said the stores were packed. "Everyone was stocking up."
Wow. I hate to think what might occur if a blizzard is forthcoming.
Sunday, January 02, 2011
Saturday, January 01, 2011
Happy 2011!
I made it to the new year, and so did you.
Right now the posole is simmering on the stove and the accompanying red chile sauce is bubbling in anticipation. Posole, for those of you who aren't familiar with the dish, is hominy stew that is a traditional New Year's day meal in New Mexico.
However next year I might just do something with black-eyed peas (I saw a recipe today that just begs to be made).
___________________________
Last night didn't see any great deal of partying or celebration in the Geohouse (we're just too laid-back for any of that). The evening consisted of watching old episodes of "The Dukes of Hazzard" on CMT. At one point, Geogal asks: "So....just what do Bo and Luke do for a living?"
I had to think for a minute (I did watch the show way back when) and said they helped their Uncle Jesse on the family farm.
"The farmers I know work a lot harder than that," was her reply.
___________________________
Also took care of some of little Geoana's BB shooting homework yesterday. She shot two targets from the sitting position. In our basement.
Where else would we shoot? The garage is way too cold and the shooting must be done indoors.
Makes me think of the time, many Christmases back when my dad gave me a Daisy BB gun. Later that day someone in the family saw a cockroach on the wall. My dad said: "Where's that BB gun?"
___________________________
Here's hoping 2011 brings many positive things your way, whatever they may be. I'll be sure to document my happenings right here, just like I've been doing for over 5 years now.
Right now the posole is simmering on the stove and the accompanying red chile sauce is bubbling in anticipation. Posole, for those of you who aren't familiar with the dish, is hominy stew that is a traditional New Year's day meal in New Mexico.
However next year I might just do something with black-eyed peas (I saw a recipe today that just begs to be made).
___________________________
Last night didn't see any great deal of partying or celebration in the Geohouse (we're just too laid-back for any of that). The evening consisted of watching old episodes of "The Dukes of Hazzard" on CMT. At one point, Geogal asks: "So....just what do Bo and Luke do for a living?"
I had to think for a minute (I did watch the show way back when) and said they helped their Uncle Jesse on the family farm.
"The farmers I know work a lot harder than that," was her reply.
___________________________
Also took care of some of little Geoana's BB shooting homework yesterday. She shot two targets from the sitting position. In our basement.
Where else would we shoot? The garage is way too cold and the shooting must be done indoors.
Makes me think of the time, many Christmases back when my dad gave me a Daisy BB gun. Later that day someone in the family saw a cockroach on the wall. My dad said: "Where's that BB gun?"
___________________________
Here's hoping 2011 brings many positive things your way, whatever they may be. I'll be sure to document my happenings right here, just like I've been doing for over 5 years now.
Saturday, December 25, 2010
Merry Christmas!! (2010 version)
Merry Christmas!
Had a great Christmas Eve.
Geogal and I both had yesterday off. Time for being lazy and time for constant noshing. (Both of us completed our gift shopping.)
On Sunday I did my annual trek to Kearney to hit the big box retailers. Unlike the previous two years there was not:
Temperatures hanging just above zero with a death-inducing wind chill
or
Snow falling and accumulating at a MUCH higher rate than forecast by the weather prognosticators
In fact the temps were just a smidge below freezing, which makes it the warmest Christmas shopping journey I’ve had since moving here from Arizona. I also had my Sirius satellite radio which meant I could while away the boring 90-minutes-one-way-drive with NFL action. Hot coffee and plenty of sugar ensured I remained engaged in the driving but created a cruddy and bizarre mood upon returning home (just a bit too many free radicals coursing through my system).
________________________________
Browsed around iTunes a few days ago, added to my Christmas music playlist. Finally they have the ORIGINAL version of Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree.” Also added Johnny Mathis’ playful crooning of “Sleigh Ride.” Both are songs I’ve heard on the radio every Christmas season and as any regular reader to this blog will know, many of my happy memories are associated with travel.
Regarding the Mathis version of “Sleigh Ride,” I distinctly remember one of the times I heard it. Just a few days before Christmas in 1989, driving (with dad, mom, and younger Geosister) toward our destination in Texas. We hit Amarillo about midday and it was a beautiful bright sunny day. Then we passed by a truckstop with one of those large lit signs that indicated the temperature was 4. “Has to be a mistake,” I thought. Then the radio announcer gave a current temp. The sign was right.
A blast of Arctic air was going over the region.
It’s funny, as I was remembering that trip our local paper had a small blurb headlined: “Are you cold yet?” It indicated that while the past few weeks featured “biting cold temperatures” it still doesn’t come close to the time period I just mentioned. On Dec. 22, 1989, approximately 137 cities in the Central Plains and eastern United States set record lows. In this area of Kansas, for example, Goodland recorded a low of 27 below zero.
And that’s probably not taking wind chill into account.
_________________________________
I’ll use this space to wish all of my readers a Merry Christmas. Please don’t forget what this season is really about: celebrating the birth of Jesus, who lived a sinless life and then died (taking every sin committed by all human beings past, present, and future) on Himself in order to reconcile mankind to God. If you haven’t invited Him into your heart why not do so on Christmas Day?
_________________________________
As I write this I’m the only one in the house who’s up at this time. (It’s almost 7:30 a.m.) Amazingly the little girl is still snoozing away. But that’s OK, we’ll have the traditional activities soon enough. (I’ve already taken a glance at my stocking--just looking, no touching.)
The coffee tastes good, the living room is ready, and just a little later I’ll season the prime rib roast and pop it in the oven.
_________________________________
I’ll leave you with just a bit of Christmas kitsch, quite possibly my most favorite novelty Christmas song:
Had a great Christmas Eve.
Geogal and I both had yesterday off. Time for being lazy and time for constant noshing. (Both of us completed our gift shopping.)
On Sunday I did my annual trek to Kearney to hit the big box retailers. Unlike the previous two years there was not:
Temperatures hanging just above zero with a death-inducing wind chill
or
Snow falling and accumulating at a MUCH higher rate than forecast by the weather prognosticators
In fact the temps were just a smidge below freezing, which makes it the warmest Christmas shopping journey I’ve had since moving here from Arizona. I also had my Sirius satellite radio which meant I could while away the boring 90-minutes-one-way-drive with NFL action. Hot coffee and plenty of sugar ensured I remained engaged in the driving but created a cruddy and bizarre mood upon returning home (just a bit too many free radicals coursing through my system).
________________________________
Browsed around iTunes a few days ago, added to my Christmas music playlist. Finally they have the ORIGINAL version of Brenda Lee’s “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree.” Also added Johnny Mathis’ playful crooning of “Sleigh Ride.” Both are songs I’ve heard on the radio every Christmas season and as any regular reader to this blog will know, many of my happy memories are associated with travel.
Regarding the Mathis version of “Sleigh Ride,” I distinctly remember one of the times I heard it. Just a few days before Christmas in 1989, driving (with dad, mom, and younger Geosister) toward our destination in Texas. We hit Amarillo about midday and it was a beautiful bright sunny day. Then we passed by a truckstop with one of those large lit signs that indicated the temperature was 4. “Has to be a mistake,” I thought. Then the radio announcer gave a current temp. The sign was right.
A blast of Arctic air was going over the region.
It’s funny, as I was remembering that trip our local paper had a small blurb headlined: “Are you cold yet?” It indicated that while the past few weeks featured “biting cold temperatures” it still doesn’t come close to the time period I just mentioned. On Dec. 22, 1989, approximately 137 cities in the Central Plains and eastern United States set record lows. In this area of Kansas, for example, Goodland recorded a low of 27 below zero.
And that’s probably not taking wind chill into account.
_________________________________
I’ll use this space to wish all of my readers a Merry Christmas. Please don’t forget what this season is really about: celebrating the birth of Jesus, who lived a sinless life and then died (taking every sin committed by all human beings past, present, and future) on Himself in order to reconcile mankind to God. If you haven’t invited Him into your heart why not do so on Christmas Day?
_________________________________
As I write this I’m the only one in the house who’s up at this time. (It’s almost 7:30 a.m.) Amazingly the little girl is still snoozing away. But that’s OK, we’ll have the traditional activities soon enough. (I’ve already taken a glance at my stocking--just looking, no touching.)
The coffee tastes good, the living room is ready, and just a little later I’ll season the prime rib roast and pop it in the oven.
_________________________________
I’ll leave you with just a bit of Christmas kitsch, quite possibly my most favorite novelty Christmas song:
Monday, December 06, 2010
"Awwww, the Denver Broncos?"
News of Josh McDaniels' firing can only bring to mind......The Simpsons.
What do I mean? Just watch.
What do I mean? Just watch.
Question Answered
Remember a couple of posts ago where I wondered if the Big 12 Conference had any designs on TCU?
Question answered.
Just gives credence to that earlier blog entry--it's become all about the money.
Question answered.
Just gives credence to that earlier blog entry--it's become all about the money.
Sunday, December 05, 2010
The End, And The Beginning
The End of the college football regular season. Sigh. Seems to go faster every year.
I couldn't stay awake last night to watch the outcome of the Nebraska-Oklahoma game.
Now I'll struggle to stay awake during some of these (blecch) bowl games.
And the NFL is no consolation prize. Their games tend to be bigger snoozefests than some of the college matchups.
___________________________
The Beginning of Real Winter. Woke up to a light dusting of snow. Light enough that just about all of it has melted by now.
I'll enjoy that detail as it lasts. Before I know it the roads will be snowpacked, icy, and will require finesse to navigate. Not to mention brushing powder off of the truck in the morning.
___________________________
Do I have a BCS pick? Oregon.
Listen to the hype about Cam Newton and tell me that doesn't light a fire under the Ducks. Not to mention they will be looking for January redemption after that embarrassing Rose Bowl defeat in 2010.
Should be a very good game. Brawn versus swift.
I couldn't stay awake last night to watch the outcome of the Nebraska-Oklahoma game.
Now I'll struggle to stay awake during some of these (blecch) bowl games.
And the NFL is no consolation prize. Their games tend to be bigger snoozefests than some of the college matchups.
___________________________
The Beginning of Real Winter. Woke up to a light dusting of snow. Light enough that just about all of it has melted by now.
I'll enjoy that detail as it lasts. Before I know it the roads will be snowpacked, icy, and will require finesse to navigate. Not to mention brushing powder off of the truck in the morning.
___________________________
Do I have a BCS pick? Oregon.
Listen to the hype about Cam Newton and tell me that doesn't light a fire under the Ducks. Not to mention they will be looking for January redemption after that embarrassing Rose Bowl defeat in 2010.
Should be a very good game. Brawn versus swift.
Thursday, December 02, 2010
Recooping
On Thanksgiving Day I got hit with a sore throat, fatigue, and general ennui. It progressed into the weekend, then moved into my nasal cavity.
Over the past few days I've felt like a phlegm factory.
(Readers are now thinking: Ewwww, Geoguy! Too much information!)
Yesterday I finally heeded Geogal's direction and saw the P.A. She put me on a Z-pack as it appears I have a sinus infection.
Needless to say, I haven't been real active for the past week. But I have had a chance to get some reading done. Finally read H.G. Wells' "The Time Machine." I'm now recommending little Geoana read it, she should be able to get some AR points and enjoy one of the first works of science fiction at the same time.
The week prior I enjoyed a couple of books my wife got me through the local library system. One fiction and one nonfiction.
Nonfiction: Going Home to Glory by David Eisenhower
Fiction: Trophy Hunt by C.J. Box
I strongly advocate both. They do well to feed one's inner historian leanings and sense of outdoor adventure.
Over the past few days I've felt like a phlegm factory.
(Readers are now thinking: Ewwww, Geoguy! Too much information!)
Yesterday I finally heeded Geogal's direction and saw the P.A. She put me on a Z-pack as it appears I have a sinus infection.
Needless to say, I haven't been real active for the past week. But I have had a chance to get some reading done. Finally read H.G. Wells' "The Time Machine." I'm now recommending little Geoana read it, she should be able to get some AR points and enjoy one of the first works of science fiction at the same time.
The week prior I enjoyed a couple of books my wife got me through the local library system. One fiction and one nonfiction.
Nonfiction: Going Home to Glory by David Eisenhower
Fiction: Trophy Hunt by C.J. Box
I strongly advocate both. They do well to feed one's inner historian leanings and sense of outdoor adventure.
Wednesday, December 01, 2010
Always remember the laughs
Earlier this year I wrote about "It's A Mad Mad Mad Mad World" having another lead actor going to that great premiere in the sky.
That flick losing its performers doesn't throw me too much. IAMMMMW was a bit before my time.
Not "Airplane." I remember seeing this one in the movie theater. With my mom, younger sister, and three cousins. I remember it well. After only one viewing I could recount certain scenes with the best of them.
So to hear that Leslie Nielson died a few days ago was sobering. Now Lloyd Bridges, Robert Stack, Peter Graves, Barbara Billingsley, and Leslie have all left us. But, as with the previously mentioned movie, the celluloid/videocassette/DVD/Blu-Ray/insert next format here will always be around for our enjoyment.
Might just have to watch "Airplane" this weekend.
That flick losing its performers doesn't throw me too much. IAMMMMW was a bit before my time.
Not "Airplane." I remember seeing this one in the movie theater. With my mom, younger sister, and three cousins. I remember it well. After only one viewing I could recount certain scenes with the best of them.
So to hear that Leslie Nielson died a few days ago was sobering. Now Lloyd Bridges, Robert Stack, Peter Graves, Barbara Billingsley, and Leslie have all left us. But, as with the previously mentioned movie, the celluloid/videocassette/DVD/Blu-Ray/insert next format here will always be around for our enjoyment.
Might just have to watch "Airplane" this weekend.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
The Gap WIdens Between The Haves And The Have-Nots
In college football.
News yesterday about TCU bolting the Mountain West to join the Big East has me thinking that college pigskin is rapidly becoming less about tradition, loyalty, and geography and more about the big payout.
Did the upper echelon of Horned Frogs even consider the Big 12? And vice versa?
Probably not, on both counts.
Still, it's hard to blame TCU for the move. They want to be part of an AQ conference and the Big East wanted a football power. Putting a consistent winner on the field brings prestige, money, exposure, money, respect, and money.
Yet I can't stop thinking about the not-so-good schools in Division I football. My own alma mater of New Mexico State University among them.
The NMSU Aggies will keep playing and keep losing most of the time. They'll attract folks to the stadium for the home games, yet the crowds will be small and the cheers will be faint.
How much longer? How much longer can a school such as this continue to field a perpetually poor team? How much longer can NMSU be in the basement of FBS teams? How much longer can an institution put up with being a punching bag on the gridiron?
Hard to say. Maybe 10 more years, perhaps 15 or 20.
If any of you think I'm being far too pessimistic, allow me to remind you of a conference called the Big West. This is the conference NMSU belonged to when I was a student there. It still exists, with several of the same schools (UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Long Beach, University of the Pacific).
None of these schools has football anymore.
I'm sure the reasons are many, but the fact that these institutions were never very competitive on the football field is the main factor (just my humble opinion).
When will NMSU throw in the towel and dump the football program?
Tick, tick, tick.
News yesterday about TCU bolting the Mountain West to join the Big East has me thinking that college pigskin is rapidly becoming less about tradition, loyalty, and geography and more about the big payout.
Did the upper echelon of Horned Frogs even consider the Big 12? And vice versa?
Probably not, on both counts.
Still, it's hard to blame TCU for the move. They want to be part of an AQ conference and the Big East wanted a football power. Putting a consistent winner on the field brings prestige, money, exposure, money, respect, and money.
Yet I can't stop thinking about the not-so-good schools in Division I football. My own alma mater of New Mexico State University among them.
The NMSU Aggies will keep playing and keep losing most of the time. They'll attract folks to the stadium for the home games, yet the crowds will be small and the cheers will be faint.
How much longer? How much longer can a school such as this continue to field a perpetually poor team? How much longer can NMSU be in the basement of FBS teams? How much longer can an institution put up with being a punching bag on the gridiron?
Hard to say. Maybe 10 more years, perhaps 15 or 20.
If any of you think I'm being far too pessimistic, allow me to remind you of a conference called the Big West. This is the conference NMSU belonged to when I was a student there. It still exists, with several of the same schools (UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, Cal State Fullerton, Cal State Long Beach, University of the Pacific).
None of these schools has football anymore.
I'm sure the reasons are many, but the fact that these institutions were never very competitive on the football field is the main factor (just my humble opinion).
When will NMSU throw in the towel and dump the football program?
Tick, tick, tick.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Just Getting Started
To answer the inevitable questions about last weekend's opening day hunt, little Geoana and I did not come home with any game.
Disappointing but not surprising. First, being opening weekend in one of the best pheasant hunting habitats in North America meant sharing the Walk-In Hunting Areas and public land with a cadre of men decked out in blaze orange. One of my hunting companions for Saturday and Sunday knows a couple of landowners but hadn't made arrangements with either by opening day. No matter, the little one and I will have more chances to take down a rooster or two whether it's on private or public land. After all, we're locals.
(As an aside let me list the out-of-state plates I saw from November 12th on: Texas [a whole lot of Lone Star State guys], Missouri, Colorado, Iowa, Oklahoma, and even Georgia. And those are just the ones I happened to view, no doubt we had many more visitors.)
Second, we don't have a dog. It's a disadvantage but right now I don't even have a fenced backyard and I have strong objections to keeping Fido chained to a tree all day. Fortunately I have a couple of hunting friends who own bird dogs albeit not the best-trained ones.
Third, I didn't even get one shot off either day. Sure didn't flush any roosters but the weekend's work achieved a little redemption when, late Sunday afternoon, I saw a rooster while driving by a WIHA we had hit the previous day. Why didn't I try for that one? Mainly because I want to be an ethical hunter. Sure, I could have stopped the truck, loaded my gun, hopped the fence, and tried to get said rooster to fly but how do I know there is not a group of hunters driving this pheasant into an open stubble field? Also I was with two other guys, both of whom have young sons that were riding with me. I didn't want to give those elementary-school aged boys a visual example of bad behavior even if what I did was completely within the law (since this was WIHA-designated land I would not have been trespassing).
I used the opening weekend as a lesson for Geoana. Often times you will go out hunting and return empty-handed. However there will be other times when you might get four roosters (the daily limit) within the span of a morning. I also took plenty of time to teach her what I have learned thus far: walking the edges of fields, stopping to listen, being mindful of other hunters, identifying likely habitat, and just enjoying the outdoors. After all, to borrow an oft-used cliche: The worst day of hunting is still better than the best day at the office!
Then there is more teaching. The saddest sight of the weekend came when, while walking through a CRP stand, I found a dead pheasant hen. Since she had not yet been scavenged I presume she was shot that very day. Geoana didn't seem too distressed but her friend, the daughter of one of my hunting partners, was upset. (This is not a delicate-flower type of girl as she has gone hunting with her father for many years.) For the rest of the day this young lady (she's almost 12) kept asking why we could not take the carcass with us and I kept answering that to have a pheasant hen in one's possession, regardless of who committed the kill, is against the law. I shared with both of the girls that the hen probably was not poached deliberately. More likely a group of hunters stirred up some birds and momma hen was accidentally shot along with the roosters.
At least I hope that's what happened.
I'm taking a vacation day this coming Wednesday. Geoana will be out of school by then for the Turkey-Day break and we'll do some more hunting. Should have the public areas more to ourselves since the out-of-towners will likely head home after today.
Who knows? Just might get a pheasant yet. After all, I'm a local!
Disappointing but not surprising. First, being opening weekend in one of the best pheasant hunting habitats in North America meant sharing the Walk-In Hunting Areas and public land with a cadre of men decked out in blaze orange. One of my hunting companions for Saturday and Sunday knows a couple of landowners but hadn't made arrangements with either by opening day. No matter, the little one and I will have more chances to take down a rooster or two whether it's on private or public land. After all, we're locals.
(As an aside let me list the out-of-state plates I saw from November 12th on: Texas [a whole lot of Lone Star State guys], Missouri, Colorado, Iowa, Oklahoma, and even Georgia. And those are just the ones I happened to view, no doubt we had many more visitors.)
Second, we don't have a dog. It's a disadvantage but right now I don't even have a fenced backyard and I have strong objections to keeping Fido chained to a tree all day. Fortunately I have a couple of hunting friends who own bird dogs albeit not the best-trained ones.
Third, I didn't even get one shot off either day. Sure didn't flush any roosters but the weekend's work achieved a little redemption when, late Sunday afternoon, I saw a rooster while driving by a WIHA we had hit the previous day. Why didn't I try for that one? Mainly because I want to be an ethical hunter. Sure, I could have stopped the truck, loaded my gun, hopped the fence, and tried to get said rooster to fly but how do I know there is not a group of hunters driving this pheasant into an open stubble field? Also I was with two other guys, both of whom have young sons that were riding with me. I didn't want to give those elementary-school aged boys a visual example of bad behavior even if what I did was completely within the law (since this was WIHA-designated land I would not have been trespassing).
I used the opening weekend as a lesson for Geoana. Often times you will go out hunting and return empty-handed. However there will be other times when you might get four roosters (the daily limit) within the span of a morning. I also took plenty of time to teach her what I have learned thus far: walking the edges of fields, stopping to listen, being mindful of other hunters, identifying likely habitat, and just enjoying the outdoors. After all, to borrow an oft-used cliche: The worst day of hunting is still better than the best day at the office!
Then there is more teaching. The saddest sight of the weekend came when, while walking through a CRP stand, I found a dead pheasant hen. Since she had not yet been scavenged I presume she was shot that very day. Geoana didn't seem too distressed but her friend, the daughter of one of my hunting partners, was upset. (This is not a delicate-flower type of girl as she has gone hunting with her father for many years.) For the rest of the day this young lady (she's almost 12) kept asking why we could not take the carcass with us and I kept answering that to have a pheasant hen in one's possession, regardless of who committed the kill, is against the law. I shared with both of the girls that the hen probably was not poached deliberately. More likely a group of hunters stirred up some birds and momma hen was accidentally shot along with the roosters.
At least I hope that's what happened.
I'm taking a vacation day this coming Wednesday. Geoana will be out of school by then for the Turkey-Day break and we'll do some more hunting. Should have the public areas more to ourselves since the out-of-towners will likely head home after today.
Who knows? Just might get a pheasant yet. After all, I'm a local!
Friday, November 12, 2010
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