You call this a rivalry?

So, my brother Jon and I went to the Michigan-Ohio State game last week. As a college football fan, I was excited to experience what is often hailed as one of the premier college football rivalries. (Actually, the UM-OSU game is often hyped as one of the premier rivalries in all sports.) Although the stakes of the this year’s game were lower than last year, there was still a lot on the line: the Big Ten conference championship, a trip to the prestigious Rose Bowl, not to mention the pride and bragging rights that come along with winning a rivalry game.

I was thoroughly disappointed, to say the least. And I don’t mean I was disappointed by the outcome of the game (Michigan lost 14-3); I actually don’t care that much about the (mis)fortunes of Michigan football. I was disappointed by the flat atmosphere surrounding one of the (alleged) greatest rivalries in college sports. Granted, we weren’t tailgating from early on Sat. morning. But we did spend nearly 3 hours before game time around the stadium trying to catch a wiff of the rivalry’s spirit. But none was to be found–at least, not this year. The atmosphere was no more intense than the atmospheres at the Notre Dame and Penn State games I went to earlier this year. But, more relevant to my interests, the atmosphere was no where close to as intense as the atmosphere at Texas A&M-Texas games. Sure, my own perspective on that game is biased. But my brother’s isn’t. He’s experienced both rivalry games from a more disinterested perspective than I have and he made the same comment when comparing the UM-OSU and A&M-t.u. games.

All this is to say: don’t believe the media hype about the UM-OSU rivalry game. In terms of intensity of feeling, this game is no where close to the various rivalry games I’ve experienced among Big XII teams and I can only speculate, but I’d say it’s no where close to the intensity of SEC rivalry games as well. The fact is, football is a way of life in Texas and throughout the South–much more rides on rivalry games. Football’s only a Saturday afternoon diversion in Ann Arbor (a supposed mecca of college football); of course, you want to beat your rival, but the emotional investment of the average fan isn’t nearly as high.

Happy birthday to me

Well today is my 30th birthday. I guess that makes me an adult. Maybe that happens when you turn 20. Or maybe when you have a child. I’m not sure. I didn’t feel adultish at either of those experiences, and I don’t feel adultish at 30 either. I thought that I would be at a different place in my life, that I would have more things figured out, have done more and maybe look different. Even though I’m not at the place where I thought I would be, I’m glad I am where I am.

“Where are you?” you ask. Well I am in LOVE and happily married to the greatest guy in the world for almost 6 years, and have a wonderful 2 month old son that is the sunshine of my life (even during the sleepless nights, dirty diapers and vomit streaked shirts!).

I have done things that I thought I didn’t have the guts to do: bungee jumping, elephant riding, traveled to Thailand, Cambodia and Costa Rica and Scotland. I have lived in England, Texas and Michigan. I have made some really great friends from around the world and even though I don’t live close to most of them I thank God for each and every one of them.

I have celebrated the highs of life and grieved with friends and family during the hard times. I have tried to live life with passion and always looking forward, although I sometimes find myself gazing backwards asking myself “what if…” Although I might not be where I thought I would be, you couldn’t pay me enough to change who I am, where I am, and those I surround myself with!

So I hope y’all have a wonderful 4th of July, I know I will!