What to do before you start anew

To the Class of 2013, first of all, congratulations! Revel in your success for as long as you can because life is about to get a little hectic, if it hasn’t already.

As a 2012 graduate, I moved from Ohio to Texas in June to live with my dad and stepmom until I could find work. In October, I finally broke through and got a sports writer job at a small newspaper in Hugo, Oklahoma. Six months later, I got another job at a larger paper in Paris, Texas. So, for the second time in six months, I have to do everything that moving to another state entails.

I don’t intend to seem like a know-it-all with this list of helpful hints. I just hope to provide some tips that I wish I had when I went through the relocating process.

Make a budget.

•     If you’ve accepted a job, you should know how much money you’re going to be making per year. Look up a chart that breaks down about how much in taxes you’ll be paying in that state, estimate costs for electricity, cable/Internet, car payment, student loans (I feel your pain), renter’s insurance, car insurance, cell phone payment, food and miscellaneous items. Whatever balance you have left over should give you a good idea of your price range for an apartment.
• Just so you have some numbers to draw from, my basic cable and Internet bundled package from Suddenlink is about $93 a month. I haven’t had an electric bill over $30 a month yet. If you don’t know how much your student loan payments will be, I am on the standard plan and its a little over $285 a month.

Find a place to live!

•     No matter how far your next job is from your current location, try and see the place first. Don’t be afraid to ask your co-workers or work contact where good locations are. They’ll be looking out for your best interests and they know the area already.

When you find some places, here are some things to do/look for:

• Drive around the neighborhood. See your proximity to essential places like grocery stores and laundromats (if necessary). I know “don’t judge a book by its cover,” but look at the kinds of cars in the parking lot of where you’re living. It can reflect a lot about the tenants. In the same vein, ask about whether you’re living in/near government assisted housing.
• Don’t let the landlord/owner rush you through place. If they do, there’s probably something they don’t want you to find out about. Take your time.
• Check the locks. Even if you’re living in a decent neighborhood, with the world today (gosh, I sound old) you probably want a deadbolt lock. This should be pretty standard in most properties. There should be locks on the windows too.
• Bring a flashlight. Use it to inspect in hard to see places like the backs of cabinets, behind refrigerators, behind water heating units, inside ovens. Moist, warm places are heaven to all kinds of creatures that you don’t want to be co-habitating with.
• Check the water fixtures. Turn on the faucets and the shower. You don’t want to take that post-moving day shower under a trickle of water. Also, the water may not be a very pretty color in that area. You want to know that too.
• Inspect the fridge and freezer. This is where you’ll be putting your food. It should be clean.
• Seriously consider your space. It’s hard when you don’t have your own furniture (I’ll cover shopping for that later), but think about how much stuff you have. If all you have at the moment is clothes, take a look at the closet space. For many one-bedroom places, the closet is probably going to be your only storage space. You’ll want to be able to fit clothes and anything else, like your folded up moving boxes.
• Listen. Is the road nearby too loud? Are the neighbors loud? Get a feel for what it will be like when you’re relaxing by yourself.
• Take pictures. You may be looking at many properties that day. Sometimes its hard to keep them straight. Plus, your friends and family will want to see what you’re considering too.

 Ask questions like:

What’s the square footage?

How much is the rent?
What’s covered in the rent?
How long is the lease?
Is there a deposit required?
Where should I go for cable/Internet and electricity providers? (also ask about water and gas if necessary)
Is there parking? Assigned spots? Guest parking?
Are there laundry services on site? (if not in your apartment)
What do I do with trash?
Is there a garbage disposal?
Is the stove gas or electric?
Who lived here before?
• The person who lived in my first place before I did lived there for eight years and never cleaned. So I had to deal with the roaches he left behind. You want to know what you might be getting into.
Have the appliances been replaced recently?
• If you know you’ve got a 15-year old refrigerator, be prepared for possible malfunctions.
Is there a maintenance crew?
• Ask what you would do if your sink pipe started gushing water. What is their plan?
Is there a garbage disposal?

All of this effort may seem silly and may be a pain when you’re tired from looking at places all day, but when you’re trying to decide, having all of these details will be a great help.

If there’s a property that really fits all of your parameters, see what you can do to reserve it for a while as you decide. If you find somewhere that you really see yourself living in, then don’t be afraid to take it, especially if you’re running out of time or if there’s limited properties available.

Hooray! Now you found your living space! If you’re like most college grads, it’s probably unfurnished, which means…

Furniture shopping!

Take that graduation money that you hoped to use to buy a new gadget and realize that now you have to spend it on what you need, not what you want. Yay, adulthood!

• If you’re like me and have to move to a small town where there’s not many furniture shopping options available, consider buying your stuff in the nearest city. I did my shopping in the strip mall heaven of Frisco, Texas, where there’s a massive new Ikea to boot, and then loaded that in a truck to bring to Hugo (where there’s WalMart and nothing else).
• Buying furniture is also a good opportunity to build up good credit on your credit card. Charge your items, then pay off your $1,000-$1,500 bill a little at a time. A good credit card rating is worth so much these days when people do not have time for those who don’t pay their bills. Good credit leads to discounts!

**Another thing, if you need to provide a credit score for your landlord or just want to have it for you, go to myfico.com. You get a free trial, but they’ll ask you to put in your credit card info because after 10 days, they’ll charge you for a three-month membership at $14.95 a month. In the confirmation e-mail they send you, there’s a phone number to call to cancel. Just make sure you do it! Canceling takes five minutes, they just make their money when people forget.

• A benefit of shopping in a relatively affluent area is that you can find good bargains on things at the local consignment shop/Goodwill. I bought an awesome three-person couch for $199 at a secondhand store in Frisco. I bought it and they put it on reserve to be picked up the day I moved, when I had the moving van. I bought a nightstand on wheels as a TV stand for $18 in another consignment store.
• My bedroom night stand, which I specifically wanted to have drawers all of the way down, I (finally!) found at a Goodwill in McKinney for $25.
• I bought my kitchen table and chairs at Ikea. They’re just plain unvarnished wood and the set was less than $200, if I remember correctly.
• If there’s one thing you can’t skimp on though, it’s a bed. Our bed is our best friend, a place where humans spend 1/3 of their lives. I knew I was going over my budget, but you can bet I don’t regret for a second spending around $375 for a 10-inch memory foam mattress at Sam’s Club. It cost another $100 or so for the boxspring and another $35 for the bed frame.
• What that experience also taught me was don’t be afraid to look in unusual places. Who knew Sam’s Club would be a great mattress shopping option?
• DO NOT BUY A USED MATTRESS! I don’t care how clean it looks or how cheap it is. With all of the bedbug craziness going around…just don’t. Don’t even think about it.
• For some reason, it was tough for me to find side tables and lamps that I liked.

**Important tip: measure the side of your couch before going side table shopping or vice versa. You don’t want a table that you can’t reach from your couch.

• I also got lucky with getting some hand-me-down furniture. I got a coffee table from my stepmom’s mom and some nice pictures for my walls that people didn’t want anymore. Ask around, especially if you know someone else who is relocating and looking to unload furniture.

Now that you’ve got furniture and a place to live, you may be storing it somewhere until your moving date. While you’re waiting, make sure you’ve figured out these details (especially if you’re moving to a new state):

• Turning on your electric: call the electric company and set up an account and date of activation. They don’t actually need to interact with you, so feel free to pick a date before you actually get there.
• Turning on cable/Internet: For our generation, the Internet is crucial. Depending on what day you move, it may be a bit until you can get it hooked up because the cable companies typically aren’t open on the weekends. Arrange a time around your work schedule and maybe bite the bullet and read a book if you’re not in 4G land anymore til you get set up.

**Note: be prepared to buy a router. In Hugo (pop. 5,000), the modem worked, but the wifi wasn’t being recognized by my Macbook. Unfortunately, all the Suddenlink people could do was suggest I buy a router. It worked, but not without the stress of me worrying I’d be connected to an Ethernet cable indefinitely (first world problems).

• Buy renter’s insurance: This protects you against theft and other disasters like fire, flood, etc. You may be able to get this through your/your parent’s car insurance company, so check that out first. That wasn’t an option for me, so at work, I asked for a recent phone book and looked through possibilities. I called Geico and they had a ridiculous rate (<$190) through Traveler’s Insurance.

My stuff isn’t worth all that much (see previous paragraphs), so I got the $20,000 coverage because it cost the same as the $15,000 coverage. A low deductible is good for someone like me (small bank account) because a deductible is what you will pay out of pocket before the insurance starts paying. With Geico, I have a $500 deductible. I wouldn’t go higher than a $1,000.
Also, ask around. In Hugo, there weren’t national options, but my co-worker’s husband was an insurance agent, so I got lucky in that sense.

• Buy car insurance: If you’re moving to a different state, even if you have a national company, you will probably have to update your policy. I have Esurance and when I went to update my address from Oklahoma to Texas, it turned out I had to cancel my OK policy and buy a TX policy. Took a half hour on the phone, but at least I know it’s updated for when I get my new plates & driver’s license (see below).

• Update license plates: This is a time-sensitive matter. In Texas, you have 30 days to register. When you go to get your registration sticker and plates, you will likely need: insurance card and proof of vehicle ownership, such as the registration or title from a previous state.

**I’ve only done this once and in a small town, but you may want to have cash because the tag office didn’t take plastic and this stuff is pricey. In Texas, the base registration fee is $52.75, but they add other fees on top of that. If I remember correctly, my total for everything in Oklahoma was about $130, but I also had to pay to get the title in my name. Luckily there was an ATM in the Tag Office (somehow they thought of everything).

• Update driver’s license: Another time-sensitive matter. In Texas, it’s 90 days. Again, this varies from state-to-state, but to be safe, you should bring your old license, original Social Security card, original birth certificate and proof of residency (a bill sent to your address).

**At least in Texas and Oklahoma, you need proof of car insurance in that state in order to register your car. I didn’t know that when I moved to OK, so I went back and forth to the Tag Office about a zillion times slowly checking off every requirement as I went. Insurance first, license second.
**Have cash on you (again) when you get your license because there are fees. It will probably be somewhere around $25. Get used to that feeling of your wallet being emptied quickly.

• Change address on anything else: Go to the US Postal Service website and make sure to have your mail forwarded permanently. It costs $1. Also, call up your bank and have the billing address changed on any debit/credit cards. I would make sure all previous debits clear before you do so because you don’t want any checks or payments to be invalid. Update magazine subscriptions, medical bills, student loan bills, former renter’s/car insurance policies. It’s better to be safe than sorry.

Hey, guess what? You just grew up a little bit. Now you have useful knowledge you can pass on to those younger than you! Wisdom rocks. You should be proud of yourself 🙂 I know I am proud of myself because this stuff is tiring! Now take a seat on your new-used couch, treat yourself with some fast food and enjoy your first nights at your new pad! You can worry about grocery shopping tomorrow.

Oh, and if you have any further questions, call home (not my home, your home.) Have a safe trip!

Ohio vs. Marshall – Position Battles in the Battle of the Bell

Marshall Week. The Battle of the Bell. If you’re an Ohio Bobcat or a member of The Herd, that’s all you have to say to stir up all sorts of feelings about this rivalry between these teams of green-and-white. Especially in recent years, it’s been pretty heated. The fires were stoked by a close game in 2010 when the ‘Cats lost by one after failing to convert a two-point conversion, then in 2011 (Ohio’s “revenge game”) when Marshall went down behind freshman QB Rakeem Cato 44-7.

Now it’s a new year and a whole slew of new story lines.

Ohio: 2-0 (W, 24-14 at Penn State. W, 51-24 vs. New Mexico St.). Marshall: 1-1 (L, 69-34 at West Virginia. W, 52-24 vs. Western Carolina).

QB – Ohio: Redshirt junior Tyler Tettleton (6′, 200 lbs.). Marshall: Sophomore Rakeem Cato (6′, 182 lbs.).

The Numbers: Tettleton: 46-64, 581 yards passing, 4 TD, 0 INT, 71.9 completion percentage, 290.5 YPG (yards per game). 16 rushing attempts, 65 yards, 2 TD. Cato: 70-96, 790 yards passing, 5 TD, 1 INT, 72.9 completion percentage, 395 YPG. 6 rushing att., 14 yds., 0 TD.

The Story: This game has the makings of an OK Corral duel between these QB’s. The Herd is sixth in total offense in the FBS with 580 yards per game and Cato leads the nation’s best passing offense with 421.5 yards per game. On the other sideline is Ohio with the 14th best offense in the country and (at least to Bobcat faithful), a dark horse Heisman candidate, Tyler Tettleton. Marshall head coach Doc Holliday spoke about TD Tettleton (© Maddie Kuhn) in his weekly press conference on Tuesday.

“There’s no doubt that he has all the intangibles…He’s what a quarterback is all about. He’s a winner…He’s an excellent player that brings a lot to the table…When you talk about (the) Ohio University football team you start with him because he’s the leader of that offense.”

As for his own man under center, Holliday said the most important thing for Cato in the team’s 52-24 drubbing of Western Carolina is that Cato didn’t commit any turnovers. Also, looking at the Herd’s season stats, they have only scored 3 points all season (2 games) in the first quarter, as opposed to 31 in the second, 31 in the third, and 21 in the fourth. Cato even said “my head wasn’t all in it in the beginning” of the game against Western Carolina. Based on these two observations, I think that if Ohio’s defense can get in his young head (he’s a true sophomore after all) at the start, he might crumble a la Mr. McGloin in the first game of the season.

With these two gunslingers, when they drop back and wind up to throw deep, I’ll be picturing the Clint Eastwood Western background. Now spit.

RB – Ohio: Redshirt junior Beau Blankenship (5′ 9″, 202). Marshall: Redshirt sophomore Travon Van (5′ 10″, 193), Redshirt freshman Kevin Grooms (5′ 10″, 165), Redshirt freshman Steward Butler (5′ 9″, 165)

The Numbers: Blankenship: 58 rushes, 277 yards, 4.8 average, 2 TD, 138.5 YPG. 7 receptions, 72 yards, 0 TD. // Van: 26 rushes, 78 yards, 3.0 average, 2 TD, 39 YPG. 5 receptions, 17 yards, 0 TD. Grooms: 17 rushes, 85 yards, 5.0 average, 0 TD, 42.5 YPG. 1 reception, 20 yards, 0 TD. Butler: 18 rushes, 74 yards, 1 TD, 4.1 YPG. 1 reception, 10 yards, 0 TD.

It’s pretty clear that Ohio has the advantage when it comes to the run game. Blankenship has been better than I expected, but I mostly saw him in short-yardage situations as a backup to Donte Harden in 2011. It’s remarkable to see how close he is to his last year totals already (93 rushes, 462 yards, 4 TD). Van is the starter for Marshall, but doesn’t stand out stat-wise. With the Herd’s one-dimensional offense, it seems the Ohio linebackers and secondary will be tested more on Saturday than the defensive linemen. But, as I said earlier, if the D can rattle Cato’s cage at the start, Cato could be his own worst enemy.

Also, Holliday said in his press conference that his defensive line has “guys that haven’t played a lot and still have some growing up to do.” I count that as an advantage for Ohio’s offensive line, which means more yards on the ground and more time for Tettleton to find the open man.

This kid’s name is Blankenship too. Jackson Blankenship. Fun fact: He hates Nickelback.

WR/TE – Ohio:  Redshirt junior Donte Foster (6′ 1″, 193), Sophomore Landon Smith (5′ 11″, 180), Redshirt senior TE Jordan Thompson (6′ 4″, 248), Redshirt senior Tyler Futrell (6′, 179), Redshirt senior Bakari Bussey (6′ 2″, 205), Redshirt senior Ryan Clark (listed as a cornerback on team’s official roster) (5′ 9″, 169). Marshall: Senior Aaron Dobson (6′ 3″, 200), Sophomore Tommy Shuler (5′ 8″, 187), Redshirt senior Antavious Wilson (6′ 1″, 196), Sophomore TE Eric Frohnapfel (6′ 6″, 227)

The Numbers: Foster: 10 rec., 89 yds., 2 TD. Smith: 4 rec., 122 yds., 2 TD. Thompson: 3 rec., 40 yds., 0 TD. Futrell: 3 rec., 70 yds., 0 TD. Bussey: 6 rec., 40 yds., 0 TD. Clark: 5 rec., 64 yds., 0 TD. // Dobson: 13 rec., 153 yds., 1 TD. Shuler: 11 rec., 126 yds., 1 TD. Wilson: 9 rec., 138 yds., 0 TD. Frohnapfel: 8 rec., 95 yds. 2 TD.

The Story: Looking at the numbers, it’s very evident that Marshall is a throwing team. They’ve got four receivers above or around 100 yards to Ohio’s two. But, the ‘Cats have a ton of experience and leadership at those positions. They’ll need that if they are down in the game, especially considering that OU has never won at Marshall’s home field Joan C. Edwards Stadium, nicknamed “The Joan.”

There was some worry earlier in the week about Foster playing Saturday. Bobcats’ beat writer Jason Arkley tweeted that Foster didn’t practice Wednesday, sitting out with a wrap on his thumb. There haven’t been any reports listed since, but I know Mr. Arkley will have a full injury report on his Bobcat Blog Friday (which you should be reading already).

As I wrote earlier, Marshall’s receivers may have flashier numbers, but I think Ohio has the advantage of the multidimensional offensive attack, including the fact that Tettleton is highly mobile out of the pocket. But, if Cato can keep finding the open man and wearing down the young Bobcat cornerbacks, the (hunter) green and white team could be digging itself out of a hole or fighting to say on top. (MU: Kelly green, OU: Hunter green)

Not nearly as fun as Shades of Grey…so I’m told.

Defense – A big storyline for the Bobcats this season is the loss of 2012 captain and 2011 All-MAC Second Team cornerback & redshirt senior Travis Carrie to shoulder surgery. Not only is he out for the entire season, redshirt junior corner Jamil Shaw didn’t play against NMSU because of a shoulder problem. Arkley said that Shaw is still questionable, but did participate in practice on Tuesday.

Even though the young guys in the secondary are stepping up a little earlier than they might have anticipated, they’re settling in well. If I were them, after playing at Penn State the first week, I’d feel like I could take on anything. Redshirt freshman CB Ian Wells is tied for fifth on the team in total tackles with 8, and sophomore corner Larenzo Fisher has 6 tackles and a broken up pass so far. Redshirt freshman Devin Bass has also stepped up with 4 total tackles, 1 for loss.

The ‘Cats are solid on defensive line and linebacker. The team’s allowed just 81 yards rushing and under 200 yards passing per game. They also had 6 sacks against the Aggies last week.

Marshall’s D has been racking up the tackles with eight guys who have over ten on the year, led by grad student safety Dominick Legrande with 20. The Herd has 2 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 2 INT and 2 forced fumbles. The Bobbies have 6 sacks, 10 tackles for loss, 2 INT (one for a TD) and one FF.

I think this Ohio team will succeed by sticking with the plan that worked last year, which is allowing Cato to beat himself. In 2011, Cato was 9-for-21, 121 yards and 4 picks. This Ohio defense is going to do what they can to force him into pressure and, thus, make mistakes.

He rocks some sweet face salad though.

Special Teams – Ohio: K redshirt senior Matt Weller, P redshirt freshman Grant Venham (pronounced ‘venom’, which is awesome). Marshall: K redshirt sophomore Justin Haig, redshirt freshman Trent Martin, P freshman Tyler Williams

The Stats: Weller: 4-7 FG, 3-4 on 20-29 yds., 1-2 on 30-39 yds., 0-1 on 40-49 yds. Long: 37. 9-9 PAT. 15 kickoffs, 64 yards per kickoff, 4 touchbacks. Venham: 5 punts, 38 yards per punt, 1 touchback, 3 inside the 20. Long: 53. // Haig: 3-4 FG, 2-2 on 20-29 yds., 1-2 on 30-39 yds. Long: 34. 11-11 PAT. 6 kickoffs, 55 yards per kickoff, 1 touchback. Martin: 9 kickoffs, 59 yards per kickoff, 1 touchback. Williams: 5 punts, 48 yards per punt, 0 touchbacks, 2 inside the 20. Long: 59.

After a Week One that left Ohio fans shaking their heads in confusion (1-3 FG, misses from 44, 39 yds.), Bobcat placekicker Matt Weller was back to his old self last week. He was 3-4 in field goals (a 22-yarder was blocked) and knocked through all six PAT. For the icing on the cake (more like a cake on top of the cake), he became Ohio Football’s all-time leading scorer. For the icing on top of those two cakes, Weller was named the MAC East Special Teams Player of the Week. Start eatin’.

Or some cake pops. I know it’s midseason, gotta watch your figure.

To be honest, I know nil about the Marshall special teams, but it looks like they can get the job done. I don’t have much faith to have in Haig’s leg, since he’s young. All he did last year was a 24-yarder against Louisville and his longest FG in high school was 49 yards.

As for the return games for each of these teams, two things stand out. One is that Marshall senior wide receiver Andre Snipes-Booker and redshirt freshman running back Steward Butler grab up decent yards on kick returns, averaging 21 and 25 yards per return, respectively. They could have a field day against OU’s return D because (and here’s the second thing) the ‘Cats have allowed 24 yards per KR this year, including a TD.

Prediction – With all of this being said, I think Cato has improved a little from last year and gets some good looks on Ohio’s young, but steadily improving, defense. However, Ohio has a huge advantage with Tettleton as well as Blankenship and the fact that their high-octane offense will be lining up against a young Marshall D-line. The ‘Cats put up 559 offensive yards on this team last season! The Bobcats will find their rhythm on both sides, even in such a hostile atmosphere, and stay undefeated in 2012. Ohio – 38, Marshall – 17.

P. S.  – The game is Saturday at 6:30 p.m. at Edwards Stadium in Huntington. It’s not on TV or ESPN3 because Marshall is in Conference – USA and CUSA doesn’t have a deal with ESPN, so Marshall is charging $9.99 to stream the game on their website.

P. P. S. – More national coverage for Ohio via Yahoo! Sports. (no Jim Schnaus mention this time *sad face*)

P. P. P. S. – Reaction by @bustedcoverage to that article. (Maybe he’s a Redhawks fan).

Aaaand one more thing. Looking at Marshall’s website, they have ads saying people can download a MU toolbar that links to news about them as well as a theme. Even though they’re for Internet Explorer, that’s still pretty sweet.

The Fantasy Football Frustration Fe-gins

It’s like begins, but with an F. I did it because I like alliteration. Maybe too much.

See? Alliteration is cool. Everyone’s doing it.

My first year seriously doing fantasy football was in 2009 when my friends in college made a 12-person group. Naturally, I was the only girl, so I wanted to make a good impression. Despite those desires, I guess I had better things to do because I showed up to the draft at Buffalo Wild Wings with no materials. None. Not even a list of top players so I could cross out the names of the people who had already been picked. So, on a series of whims, I took Adrian Peterson with the first overall pick, then Peyton Manning with the second-rounder (everyone is still baffled how that happened). Somewhere down the line I got Ryan Grant as my second RB, Hines Ward and Derrick Mason at wide receiver, then Heath Miller at tight end. In the middle of the season, I took Sidney Rice off of waivers (my friend Grant, the commissioner of the league and expert in all things sports thought he was ahead of me on the waiver list and still has no idea how he didn’t get him.) As it turned out, all of those guys had career years and I lost the league championship (and a sweet glass mug) by three points.

My main men 3 years ago. *Hums All in the Family theme “Those Were the Days”*

Since then, I haven’t had much luck in that league, which is the only one I care about since we had a $20 buy-in and it’s actually with people I know. I can’t exactly remember my finishes because I blocked them out. 2010’s ExtenZe the Lead (joke on Jimmy Johnson’s male enhancement ads), and 2011’s The Real McCoys (I had LeSean McCoy and Colt McCoy) couldn’t live up to Make Me a Leftwich in ’09.

But, it’s a new year and everyone is undefeated again! My team, Arrelious on Both Counts (play on Vince Vaughn’s “erroneous on both counts!” line in Wedding Crashers & TB wide receiver Arrelious Benn), is ready to show the boys I can bring it once more. Here’s my team (14-team league, points per reception):

QB – Philip Rivers (SD), Josh Freeman (TB)

RB – Matt Forte (CHI), Michael Turner (ATL), Michael Bush (CHI), Pierre Thomas (NO)

WR – Torrey Smith (BAL), Wes Welker (NE), Marques Colston (NO), Kendall Wright (TEN)

TE – Fred Davis (WAS), Martellus Bennett (NYG)

DEF – Green Bay

K – Nate Kaeding (SD)

As soon as I finished drafting them, I began agonizing over who would play when. I figured, it’s the first week, unless they’re out, let’s see what they’ve got. So, and guess who I DIDN’T play last night? There’s only one guy on my team who has played so far, so yes, Martellus Bennett sat on my bench as he earned14 points on 4 catches for 40 yards and a touchdown. He was projected for 3. 14 points isn’t extraordinarily high, but Freddie D. isn’t expected to do much this week since it’s RG3’s first NFL game. But, that’s why they play the games.

I plan on venting my pleasures and frustrations with this team (1 out of 3 I’ve got this year via ESPN) on this blog, so let’s get ready for Fantasy Football Fun!

Let’s crash this league! Woo!

My Very Belated, Concise Reaction to Ohio’s Win Over Penn State

Clock 0:00

Score: Ohio – 24, Penn State – 14

Me (on the outside, gets up from chair, says to dad): Well, that was a good game. I always thought they had it in them.

Me (on the inside, heart racing, palms sweaty): WOOOOOOO! HOLY CRAP WE JUST BEAT PENN STATE! I KNEW WE WERE GONNA KICK THEIR *butts*. THIS YEAR JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER AND BETTER. GO BOBCATS BABY! YEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHH! MACTION IN YO FACE PENN STATE! 12 AND 0! TYLER TETTLETON FOR HEISMAN *bleep* YOU MATT BARKLEY. I LOVE THIS TEAM!

I’m happier about this win than a panda bear on a rocking horse.

It’s Boss Time

My friend Steve Uhlmann informed me on Facebook that the 2012 theme song for MLB Postseason on TBS is Bruce Springsteen’s song Land of Hope and Dreams, off of the Wrecking Ball album.

This is beautiful, breathtaking and chilling because it combines a great song with a great video and great editing with audio calls from the games. It makes me want to get out of my seat and cheer as if I’m in the stands when the moment is happening. I’m appreciative to see a number of shots of the electric environment at a Bruce concert and that they put in some of the Clarence solo, but the Big Man didn’t get any video appearances! I think what made me most happy when I heard about this is that Bruce, The Boss, Scooter, is still relevant. When people young and old tune into the MLB playoffs, they’ll hear his music and see how he a little of how he performs. My hope is the youth of America’s ears perk up, a parent tells them a story about how his music affected their lives and a new fan is born. That is more likely to happen than with last year’s “Written in the Stars” song that got annoying after the first evening of the playoffs.

Watching the “Land of Hope and Dreams” video inspired me to share my favorite Bruce videos (in no particular order). I’m going to keep it to 5 for now, but I’m sure I’ll share more soon enough.

1. Whip My Hair with Jimmy Fallon

This is priceless and almost brings me to tears with laughter every time I see it. Jimmy Fallon does such a killer impression of Neil Young and Bruce is so self-deprecating that he’s willing to go onstage impersonating himself. Jimmy said in an interview on CBS Sunday Morning that when Bruce’s long-time producer/manager Jon Landau (who, as a music critic in 1974, wrote the famous line “I saw rock-and-roll future and its name is Bruce Springsteen.”) saw him in this getup, he nearly cried because Bruce looked 30 years younger, just like he did when they started working together. Stories like that make videos like this even more special.

2. Born to Run

This is another chilling video because this is exactly why Bruce is so loved. He gives people a life-changing experience. It’s mind-blowing elation and joyful delirium. This also shows how much fun he has with the E Street Band and with his fans. I love that the video for one of his most well-known songs is a compilation of different time periods because it symbolizes what his songs are to music: timeless. But, hopefully those outfits from the 80’s never make a comeback!

3. Dancing in the Dark (because of this article by Rembert Brown for Grantland)

I will read that article at least every couple weeks, when it crosses my mind, until the day I die. It’s so perfect, I don’t want to pile my words on top of it. I just want you to be able to remember that epic piece. However, I must add that in the comment section of Brown’s article, he does realize that the drummer is Max Weinberg.

4. I’m On Fire (warning: girly gushing below)

It seems weird to think about Bruce this way because he’s so old nowadays I think of him more as a cool uncle, but OHMYGOSHHEISSOADORABLEINTHISVIDEO. Last summer, I was listening to Bruce Springsteen Radio on Sirius XM and the Springsteen experts were talking about how much they hated these Bruce as a blue-collar worker-themed videos. I understand this video is cheesier than all of the fromageries in France, but 1) he’s so fresh-faced, curly-haired cute, 2) he’s a really good actor because I want him to ring that doorbell, but I feel like he’s better off when he smiles and walks away and 3) it’s a great song because it makes me ache like he’s aching. “Sometimes it’s like someone took a knife, baby, edgy and dull and cut a six-inch valley through the middle of my soul.” That’s why he gets paid the big bucks.

5. Should I Fall Behind

Bruce’s brand is about hard-hitting rock-and-roll, so most of the songs that make it to the radio have that element. But, after listening to more of his stuff this past year, I’ve learned how much I enjoy his slower music. This is one of those songs. I also like the fact that I get to hear most the band members sing, especially Clarence, not so much Patti. A video doesn’t get much simpler than this, so all of the band’s talent shines.

When Your Small School Hits the Big Stage

Ohio University does a really good job recruiting people, student-athletes and regular students, on the fact that the Bobcats are a Division 1 program. I thought, “Cool, even though I’ve never heard of this place before looking into it for my journalism degree, at least they have some standards for competition.” Then, I got there in the fall of 2008 and saw the difference between being a Division 1 school and a Mid-American Conference Division 1 school. Especially when it comes to football, you have a blueprint in your head of how certain traditions are supposed to go, i.e. tailgating. So, yes, to Ohio University’s credit, for the first home football game in 2008, there was a kickoff tailgate. However, it was confined to the 100-space parking lot on one side of the stadium. When I returned for the next home game, there was nothing, not one beaded necklace or cornhole game, to try and bolster the student crowd.

My first Ohio football game, all of those years ago! (Personal photo)

Since then, the Bobcats’ football team won the MAC East twice (’09, ’11), went to three bowl games (’09, ’10, ’11) and won their first bowl game in program history, the Famous Idaho Potato Bowl last December, which also marks the most prestigious linking of Ohio University and potatoes since ever. The men’s basketball team won the MAC Championship twice since ’08, beat Georgetown in 2010 for Ohio’s first-ever NCAA Tournament win and reached the Sweet 16 in 2012 (May God forever smile on you John Groce). The field hockey team went to the first-round of the NCAA’s as well. Bobcat supporters, new and old, have been basking in the glow of this success (and now there’s a lot more stuff to do before games). MACtion and MAC Attack is now something to be feared, not laughed at (in the right context).

Now, the football team is gearing up to play Penn State on Saturday. This game has received a lot of press mainly because it’s the first time the Nittany Lions are playing football since the Jerry Sandusky scandal shrouded Happy Valley in a cloud of darkness. Many people didn’t think they would be, or should be, playing football, but they will be, and Ohio (not Ohio State, thanks very much) will be on the other sideline. This is a national news story that the Bobcats are caught up in because they’re playing a certain team at a certain program-altering time.

When the national press needs to learn all they can about a smaller school, such as during the Bobcats’ Sweet 16 run, I’m brought back to earth about how much Ohio University is still off of the radar. One is how people refer to the university as Ohio U. Ohio State isn’t Ohio State U, is it? The pattern of most state universities goes like this: University of Florida, Florida State University. Florida is Florida, Florida State is Florida State. I understand publications need to make sure that they differentiate between Ohio University and Ohio State University. However, Manasseh Cutler knew what he was doing because the smaller, yet older brother of these two universities is, literally, the university of Ohio. As many Bobcats say, We Are Ohio. Ohio State is Ohio State. Call us Ohio or OU. End of story.

This is Ohio. (Personal Photo)

One slip-up that had me ROTFL is the Yahoo! Sports article about how Ohio (referred to as “Penn State opponent”) is wearing helmet stickers supporting victims of child abuse during the Penn State game. It’s a good story, but there was one glaring, but hilarious error that the writer calls Ohio’s athletic director Jim “Schnaus” when it is really Jim Schaus. This story was used all over the place, so now if you Google search Jim Schnaus, you get a bunch of entries with the wrong name.

My next point is about Tyler Tettleton. He’s the incredibly gifted Ohio quarterback that is slowly earning his due from the national media (click link, scroll to near the bottom of the page). But, Bobcat fans have had high hopes for him since we knew he’d be replacing big-haired Boo Jackson as a redshirt sophomore at the beginning of last season. I knew T-Tet was awesome before I had any idea who his dad was. But, in every article written about him, there’s always “son of Detroit/Texas catcher/All-Star Mickey Tettleton” as a qualifier. This is irritating because to me, Tyler is his own man and has his own accomplishments, but I can’t complain about the publicity for the program.

This is also Ohio sometimes. RIP Fest Season. (Personal Photo)

I’ll end with the error that I haven’t seen in OU vs. Penn State articles, but does come up occasionally is when the media (even people who cover the MAC regularly) call the MAC ‘the MAC Conference.’ MAC stands for Mid-American Conference, so it’s being called the Mid-American Conference Conference. Sad.

And this. (I have to stop looking through old photos. It’s making me miss college too much!) (Personal Photo)

Okay, I’m getting off of my soapbox now, until I find another reason to Stand Up and Cheer, cheer loud and long for old Ohio. (And I don’t approve of the title of this video either!)

Uniform Changes: More Than a New Look

Today the Ohio Bobcats’ equipment staff Twitter @OHIOBobcatsFBEQ posted a picture of the new green and white helmets the team will be wearing at their opening game against Penn State on Saturday.

Used with permission by @OHIOBobcatsFBEQ

This is the most recent uniform change in the Ohio University Athletic Department. Last year they trotted out black uniforms with green numbers that were used for football, men’s basketball and baseball, with black helmets and the ‘OHIO’ in green for football. Whatever the cost of the new duds may have been, the return on investment far surpassed it. First, the video of the football team reacting to the black uniform reveal went viral on YouTube, getting over 315,000 views. If you Google “Ohio University black uniforms”, you see posts from all different organizations talking about it. If you haven’t seen the video, watch it below. If you have seen it, you know you want to watch it again.

Then, came the actual game the black uniforms were for; the annual “Battle of the Bell” showdown between Ohio and non-conference rival Marshall. This was a revenge game for the ‘Cats, even though players and coaches denied it to the media, because they lost this game in 2010 in dramatic fashion. QB Boo Jackson drove the team 72 yards in 1:01 and hit Terrence McCrae for a 36-yard hail mary TD to make it 24-23 Marshall with no time on the clock. Head coach Frank Solich decided to go for the two-point conversion, and the win, instead of trying to tie with an extra point and the throw to wideout Riley Dunlop was knocked down. Many said the refs swallowed their whistles on a defensive pass interference on Dunlop. For Marshall Week 2011: The Revenge, the black jerseys only added to the intensity surrounding the game and the strategy worked very well for the football team because they smacked The Herd 44-7. In the video below: see how much the game meant to the team in the “Marshall Week” episode of the Bobcat Sports Showcase, specifically at 10:51. (Disclaimer: I did work on this show. Also, this episode won an Ohio Valley Emmy, so I’m providing you with real eye candy here.)

Six weeks later, the Bobcats met Temple at home, which played a big factor in whether they would go to the MAC Championship game or a bowl game. The promotions & marketing teams sold black shirts promoting the ‘Bobcat Blackout’ that would be televised on ESPN. Even though it was cold, Peden Stadium was packed with students (most of whom still left after the Marching 110 performed at halftime). The event was a rousing success because the ‘Cats won 35-31 en route to a Famous Idaho Potato Bowl win, 47 school records, and arguably the most successful football season in Ohio University history.

Fans stormed the field after the Bobcats beat Temple 35-31 in the first-ever Bobcat Blackout game. (Personal photo)

The power of the black jerseys seemed to bestow equally unparalleled success for the men’s basketball team who powered to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. Also, the school sold the football jerseys for around $180 for a couple weeks during the holiday season, so I’m sure they enjoyed the new jerseys as well.

However, as my title indicates, these changes mean more than just a new look on the field. It shows that the athletic department is willing to invest in its programs, even though that is usually its most visible programs, football and men’s basketball. Fans will be more interested in a team that they can see is worth it. Last year’s black jerseys were important because they ignited huge amounts of Bobcat pride in a year that swelled with unprecedented athletic success. Athletics is hoping to capture some of that ‘lightning in a bottle’ excitement with the new green helmets.

When you have teams like Oregon, who get three or four new sets of uniforms every year, the appreciation and excitement of a new, fresh look is diluted. Whoever decides what the teams will wear did it right. They unbottled the lightning at the right time, inspiring the team and the university community. For football, they rewarded a team that was heartbroken by Marshall in 2010 and added fuel to the incendiary “Battle of the Bell” fire. Then, they let Ohio and its students appear on national television in a memorable way and gave viewers what they wanted to see. Northern Illinois got to wear black as the home team in the MAC Championship, and I’m not saying that jerseys can be responsible for bad play, but Ohio gave up 23 unanswered points after halftime and lost 23-20.

The last football uniform change came in 2007. (Source: http://www.uni-watch.com/2007/08/21/uni-watch-on-site-report-lelands/)

As with anything, people have varying opinions of how the new helmets will look, but if they can be linked to a win over Penn State on Saturday, Bobcat fans should ease up. Then, the athletic department and director Jim Schaus (called Jim “Schnaus” by Yahoo! Sports, which I find hilarious) can give themselves another pat on the back.

My Journey to a Gridiron Palace

This was what news of a new $60 million high school stadium did to me. I felt like I was going to a pro game, knowing I was going to see something that I would be telling people about the next day. Even though it’s a high school game, and a scrimmage at that, I was thrilled to cover this scrimmage between the Allen Eagles and the Arlington Martin Warriors as live scoring practice for my freelance gig with the Dallas Morning News.

As I drove down Rivercrest Boulevard, past quaint suburbian houses and eventually the high school, I kept craning my neck to get my first glimpse at this behemoth, this gleaming trophy symbolizing Texas’ obsession with high school football. Then, there it was. First, I see the top of the press box, then the words ‘Eagle Stadium’ big and bright in navy blue (Allen’s colors are navy blue and red). When I entered the driveway, after making sure there was no one behind me, I had to stop and snap a picture.

So fresh, so clean! (Personal photo)

My first thought when I saw it actually was “there she is”, like I was referring to a mighty ship, a beautiful car, or my (future) newborn daughter. This place probably feels like a baby to the school district and the city of Allen, whose taxpayers voted to pay for this brick-walled beauty as part of a $119 million bond. Except this isn’t any bundle of joy, this is like William and Kate’s first child (okay, let’s be honest, first boy). The stadium has been covered by the likes of Forbes and the New York Times.  It’s got a brief video on ABC News’ website and is first on MaxPreps.com’s 10 high school football stadiums to see before you die (listed in no particular order). Plus, if you look soon after this is published, every possible story angle is front and center on the Dallas Morning News SportsDayHS webpage. It’s the pride of the town, just born and waiting to make its first memories.

Back of the scoreboard (Personal Photo)

I was surprised to walk in and find ticket checkers, no security, no one to ask me if I had a press pass on my way up to the press box. It’s like they left the White House unlocked, but it was liberating to feel that pre-9/11 trust in society again. However, I’m pretty sure security will be on hand for the opener next week. In fact, I couldn’t find anyone to direct me to said press box, so I trudged up the stands to the Photo Deck, which has a big, covered space for people to set up their cameras and tripods. Then, I realized there is an elevator to the press box, which has two levels. I’ve only ever taken an elevator to a press box at Coors Field, Sports Authority Field at Mile High, the Horseshoe and Peden Stadium. Note: those are all pro/FBS college venues. Craziness.

A video producer’s best friend. (Personal photo)

The press box area that I saw was gorgeous. It’s air conditioned (muy importante in Texas), with two flat screen TV’s showing the gameplay along with the date/time, and current weather conditions. There’s speakers that pipe in noise from a referee mic, a crowd noise mic, and the PA announcer. A red and white Eagle logo is sewed into all of the blue padded chairs. They also boast a kitchen area with dark-stained cabinets with silver handles. There are stainless steel appliances: a fridge, a trash compactor/compost thingy, a dishwasher, a coffee maker, a microwave and a sink. This is nicer than most living places at Ohio University. They even put a few rows of tile down in case something spills. What struck me most was that they put up a backsplash of tiny rectangular grey/silver tiles. Such detail! Unfortunately, this kitchen would serve no starving (media) artists tonight, so I went to scope out the concession stands…

Can I just cover games here for the rest of my life? (Personal photo)

So comfortable and so school spirited. (Personal photo)

Press box view of the field (Personal photo)

…which of course looked a lot like the ones at Cowboys Stadium. Especially because they have flat screen TV’s that show the menu. However, Jerry World has separate ones with game video. Tsk tsk, Allen. They even have reasonable prices. I got a cheeseburger (with fresh tomatoes and lettuce and pickles) and a regular soda for $4.50. They sold Chik-Fil-A sandwiches for $4 and even little containers of  fresh fruit and cheese. Trés chic.

Looked good and my cheeseburger tasted good! (Personal photo)

I was glad that the teams scrimmaged for two 12-minute quarters and two 10-minute quarters so I could really enjoy this palace. Also, I wasn’t even jealous that I didn’t get to go to high school here until I saw the kid in braces holding this beautiful HD camera that projects the game footage onto the $1.2 million scoreboard with a 38′ X 23′ HD screen. Right now, doing video production for them brings technology experience on par, or probably better than, a D3 football team and some lower market stations. But, Allen High School AV Club Kid gets that opportunity. What a lucky so-and-so.

(Personal photo)

Eagle Stadium takes its first steps August 31 in the first game of the regular season, which is versus last year’s 5A-1 state champion Southlake Carroll. If Allen can beat this team in the opener, it will be huge. To bring back the baby simile: it’s like you’re playing blocks as a baby and Albert Einstein watched you and said “Hey, that kid’s pretty smart.” It’s tough to pull off, but if you do it, you have eternal glory.

It’s something I will never forget and if you are in Dallas during football season, try to check it out. If you can get a seat.

Concourse view of field (Personal photo)

Another concourse view (Personal photo)

Concourse view of press box (Personal photo)

Teams getting directions before the scrimmage (Personal photo)

Field view of press box (Personal photo)

Field view (Personal photo)

What I’ve Learned in Texas

It’s been a while since I wrote, but I’ve been plenty busy in that time. I gathered my (many, many) belongings and moved from Athens, Ohio to Prosper, Texas to live with my dad, stepmom and three younger siblings while I try to find a full-time job. (Side note: I feel like college students looking for work they’re adequately qualified for in their field while facing mountains of student loans is the real 99%.) Anyway, I’m happy to be with my family, especially in a new place where there’s lots of sports to be covered, all kinds, from young kids up to the Dallas pro teams. There are some things I’ve noted in the couple of weeks that I’ve been here that I wanted to share with people in case they ever decide to visit the Lone Star State.

• Big bugs (and I cannot lie). I am no longer afraid of small, non-threatening bugs because I’ve seen three black widows, a banana spider (look it up, they’re huge), big grasshoppers, a few crickets and had many other small ants and spiders crawl near me. So, good news for my boyfriend, I won’t squeal and make you kill bugs anymore. I’m hardened to them now. Oh and flies! Tons of flies, there’s always at least one or two in the house.
• If you’re outside, look before you sit. This is a branch off of the above category. One of the black widows was under a table at the community pool and there was a grasshopper on the back of a chair in our garage that scared me half to death. Now, if I don’t check, I can’t relax. A lot of people I’ve met who have lived here are quite the bug experts from experience. I’ve heard about tarantulas in the undeveloped areas.
• Wear sneakers in the grass. Another bug thing, and also a snake thing. My stepmom grew up in Texas and moved back after ten years. She says she realizes why she can’t be barefoot, probably because she always had to wear sneakers in the grass. On the news the other day, there was a warning about chiggers that like to live in grass, even in your yard, not just long grass. Chiggers bury under your skin and lay eggs and stuff, real pleasant. In terms of long grass, such as fields and near ravines, that’s where you could run into snakes. Copperheads, rattlesnakes, rat snakes, and the like. I haven’t seen any snakes yet, but when I do, you might hear me scream wherever you are in the country.
• To sell more of anything down here, come out with a Texas/Lone Star Edition. This mostly applies to cars, especially trucks. There’s so many with the silver decal that says Texas edition, usually with a big star. The car company probably charges another grand for that little thing and they make their money’s worth.

I can’t decide if it’s the real Texans or the people who’ve moved here who have these.

• Southern hospitality isn’t a myth. I’m writing sports for the local paper, the Prosper Press (their website is non-existent, so don’t bother looking), and I’ve been to a football scrimmage and a basketball camp. I need to get a lay of the land in terms of how the local teams have been to help with my reporting and everyone is more than happy to give me information. None of the “Whaddya lookin’ at?” or “Fuhgeddaboutit!” that I’m used to in Jersey and even Ohio.
• Drive fast or don’t drive at all. After living in Athens, Ohio for the past four years where the main drag is 25 mph, being in Texas is nice and a little scary. Nice because I don’t have to follow those ridiculous signs, but scary because speed limits here are crazy high. The stretch of road that the housing development I live in is off of is called 308. The speed limit is 65. It’s not a highway either, so I’ll turn out of the development, have to get up to 65 and then slow down to stop at a red light about a half a mile up the road. Lots of gunning and breaking down here! Here’s a story: one day I was driving in the right lane of a four-lane road (308) and people were slowing down because of a tractor in the right lane (country & city meshing). As soon as I got in the left lane, I see this idiot move into the right lane and speed up because there’s another car in front of him so he doesn’t see the tractor yet. The car in front of him moves to the left. The idiot is driving so fast that he has to swerve right and drive on the shoulder of the road to avoid the tractor. Luckily, I haven’t seen  a lot of that kind of idiocy. I also had to laugh because the main road through the development (that doesn’t have any driveways branching onto it) is 40. 40 through a residential area! That’s not what I learned in Ohio’s driver’s ed!
• If you drive the speed limit, you’re a tourist/a loser/old. Yes, so about the speed limits already being high, people down here drive at least five-ten miles above that. Not sure why, that’s just how it is.
• You have to have two kinds of lip balm. This one’s more for the ladies. I went to the pool the other day and brought my cherry ChapStick (and no, I didn’t kiss any girls). Anyway, it melted in the 100 degree heat. So, a neighbor friend of my stepmom’s said I need to get the balm in the tube for outside and then the normal ChapStick twist balm for the house.
• Whatever lip balm you do have, always have it with you. I lost my melted ChapStick, so I went about three days in this dry heat without any lip protection. It took me two-three days to heal all of the cracks and dry skin once I finally picked some up.
• You’re expected to know where you’re going. Since I’ve been here, I’ve been to a few doctor’s offices and to an FC Dallas game. For one of the doctor’s visits, you could park in a parking garage. But, once you parked there were no signs as to which way to go for the elevators, for the building, nothing. Then, once in the building, there’s no sign with ‘Rooms 100-120 —>, Rooms 120-150 <—–“, so you have to wander around and find your room. Also, they’re into the whole “have a bunch of different offices in one building, but have no indication as to what’s in there where anyone can see from the road.” The buildings have big numbers on them, but you have to drive around and find the tiny words that assure you that you found the right place. Now for the sporting event. It was the same story. Walk into the stadium, no sign “Sections 100-128 <—–, Sections 129-150 —–>”, so again, just had to pick a side and hope it was correct.
• If you’re not tan by the middle of June, you’re new here. I have naturally pale skin, so I stuck out like a sore thumb when I first got here because people have been going to the pool for at least a month already. So, one of my first goals was to get a little color.
• People love their sports. There are so many outlets for kids to be in sports here, it’s crazy. Also, every facility is new with the best equipment. Naturally, pro sports is key here too. I cracked up when I was listening to a top-40 station that had a news update with news and celebrity gossip and then they followed it up with news that Josh Hamilton was coming back that night from an injury. Of course, football is king and some high school stadiums have bigger stands than Peden Stadium at Ohio University (24,000 people).
• In the middle of the day in the summer, it’s a dead zone unless you’re by a pool. Unlike in Ohio or Jersey, in the middle of the day in Texas, no one is outside. Kids aren’t running around, people aren’t walking their dogs or taking a stroll. It’s just so darn hot that everyone stays in the AC (unless you’re at the pool). I was talking to a neighbor, who is a Texas native, around ten in the morning and it must have already been at least 90 degrees. I walked out and said “It’s a nice day today.” She responded with “You think this is a nice day? It’s so hot out already!” That was the Northerner in me because in Ohio and Jersey, sunny usually equals nice (especially in the rainy spring). But here, it’s no-clouds-in-the-sky sunny (meaning super hot) practically every day. So, I have to relearn what a nice day is in Texas.
• Josh Hamilton and Dirk Nowitski are the sports gods (at least until football season rolls around) When Hamilton was coming back from his injury, he’d only been out a couple of games, but it was like he was returning from ACL surgery or something. He’s one of the top five players in the majors right know, so I don’t blame people. Thanks to him and some other key pieces, the Rangers are like the Yankees of the south, a big-spending, selling-out, winning team. I noticed that Dirk is uber-important when the news showed him commenting on the Mavericks draft picks. I asked my dad “Is Dirk the team representative?” and he said that basically he is. It’s like a quote from Dirk is better than a quote from a coach or front-office personnel and he’s the best player on the team, so he knows what’s good for them. He’s transcendent down here, like Derek Jeter is with the Yankees. Whatever Derek Jeter has to say on the issue, it’s going to be quoted more than whatever anyone else says because he’s The Captain and basically the most important person in that organization. The Cowboys haven’t started doing anything for their upcoming season yet, so I don’t know who their number one guy is (probably Jerry Jones/Tony Romo), but Dallas is obviously a football city like Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Denver, etc. I hope to be in that atmosphere when it arrives.

That’s all I can think of about now. I’ve been processing so much that I could probably write all night and still not cover it all! Thanks for reading!

Bruce Springsteen Name Game Part 4: S-Z

You have all been so patient as I take the time to go through all of these lyrics! Bruce has talked about a multitude of women, but there are many more to come! Just for a recap, after Part 3, here is where the name game stands:

1. Mary – 39. In Part 3, Mary added 33 tallies to her name!
2. Jane/Janie/Janey – 20. There were no mentions for these ladies in Part 3, but they still have enough for second place.
3. Candy – 17. Two early songs may just be enough to get on the medal stand for Candy.
4. Linda – 15. Linda looms large with only one song, but many mentions.
5. Rosalita/Rosie – 13. The R’s have it over the Maria/Mary Lou’s by a slim margin.
6. Maria, Mary Lou – 12
7. Cynthia – 11
8. Kitty – 10
9. Ricky – 9
10. Sandy – 8
11. Martha – 5
12. Dinah – 4
13. Juliet, Lynette, Bobby Jean, Wendy, Frankie, Gloria, Sarah, Terry, Polly – 3
14. Wanda, Jackie, Leah, Catherine, Carol – 2
15. Eve, Kate, Cassiopeia, Lena, Pearl (Early-Pearly), Bobbie, Joan, Shaniqua, Theresa, Sally – 1

Santa Ana (Tracks) – Sandy – 1 time. Sandy ties Ricky in 9th with 9 mentions.

Shenandoah (We Shall Overcome: The Seeger Sessions) – Sally – 1 time. Sally breaks free from the bottom slot and moves up a spot! (Don’t tell her she’s only in 14th, this is a big deal to her).

Sherry Darling (The River) – Sherry – 6 times. Sherry takes the 10 spot previously vacated by Sandy (two seconds ago).

I think Bruce had a drinking problem, singing a song to a wine.

So Young and in Love (Tracks) – Missy – 1 time. This is the first showing for Miss Missy, the tenth name with one tally.

Spanish Eyes (The Promise) – Christine – 1 time. Christine is a first as well. It’s not a name I would picture on a woman with Spanish eyes, but that’s Bruce’s call.

Spare Parts (Tunnel of Love) – Jane/Janey – 6 times. Thanks to the girl who started out ditched by her baby daddy and ended up making some good money, the Jane/Janie/Janey squad has 26, 13 behind Mary.

Spirit in the Night (Greetings from Asbury Park) – Janey – 5 times. Well, whaddya know? Janey is storming the proverbial name game castle, now just 8 behind Mary!

There’s Janey, and Janie, and Jane..Janie’s on the right with Jane and Janey.

Stand on It (Tracks) – Mary Beth – 1 time, Isabella – 1 time. Both first time additions to the list! However, my mind is more preoccupied wondering what will happen with the Mary/Janey totals.

Straight Time (Ghost of Tom Joad) – Mary – 1 time. She’s the wife of a former convict and helps boost her name’s total to 40. Is Mary now over the hill?

Terry’s Song (Magic) – Mary – 1 time. Mary gets another notch thanks to the religious context, up to 41.

The E Street Shuffle (The Wild, The Innocent and the E Street Shuffle) – (Little) Angel – 5 times. Say hello to Angel who just loves showing all of the boys on the boardwalk how to do the E Street Shuffle.

I think we’d all pay to watch her do the E Street Shuffle.

The Line (Ghost of Tom Joad) – Louisa – 2 times. Louisa steps on the list as the subject of another story of love lost in the night.

The Rising (The Rising) – Mary – 1 time. Mary is not going away, getting her numbers up to 42.

The River (The River) – Mary – 3 times. In a song inspired by Springsteen’s sister and her husband, Mary now has 45 after another classic tale of blue-collar struggles.

Thunder Road (Born to Run) – Mary – 2 times. The song that (probably) made every woman who heard it want to be named Mary gives her 47 names overall. Mary is mentioned in 5 of the last 7 songs.

One of over 3 and a half billion Google Image results for ‘Mary.’ The name is not only popular in Bruce’s songs! (And her name isn’t even Mary, it’s Mary-Kate)

Wild Billy’s Circus Story (The Wild, The Innocent and the E Street Shuffle) – Missy Bimbo – 2 times, Margarita – 1 time. Thanks to the circus environment, someone with a name like Missy Bimbo jumps ahead of Missy. This is Margarita’s debut.

Circuses would be a lot more fun if there were more of these there, am I right?

With Every Wish (Human Touch) – Doreen – 1 time. Her beauty was a gift and a curse for “Bobby,” so Doreen breaks onto the list.

You Can Look (But You Better Not Touch) (The River) – (Dirty) Annie – 1 time. Another first as the number of songs winds down.

Youngstown (The Ghost of Tom Joad) – Jenny – 4 times. Sweet Jenny hears about Bruce’s trials in Youngstown. My parents grew up in the suburbs of the city and my grandparents worked in those very steel mills Bruce talks about. I also lived near Youngstown for about 5 years. It’s sad to say that even though working in the steel mills sounds bad, since they shut down, the city is even worse.

Zero and Blind Terry (Tracks) – Terry – 12 times. I thought the high numbers were done for, but Terry had something to say about it. She adds 12 to her 3 for a grand total of 15.

Who’s ready for the final tally? I know I am!

1. Mary – 47
2. Jane/Janie/Janey – 31
3. Candy – 17
4. Linda, Terry – 15
5. Rosalita/Rosie – 13
6. Maria, Mary Lou – 12
7. Cynthia – 11
8. Kitty – 10
9. Ricky, Sandy – 9
10. Sherry – 6
11. Martha, Angel – 5
12. Dinah, Jenny – 4
13. Juliet, Lynette, Bobby Jean, Wendy, Frankie, Gloria, Sarah, Polly – 3
14. Wanda, Jackie, Leah, Catherine, Carol, Sally, Louisa, Missy Bimbo – 2
15. Eve, Kate, Cassiopeia, Lena, Pearl (Early-Pearly), Bobbie, Joan, Shaniqua, Theresa, Missy, Christine, Mary Beth, Isabella, Margarita, Doreen, Annie – 1

Those of you who believed you heard Mary’s name a lot in Bruce’s songs, you’re right! Mary is the number one name in his original lyrics. Of course, all of his fans know that no matter what these numbers say, the number one woman in his life is Patti. Like the typical songwriter (except Taylor Swift), he does not mention her name directly.

Thank you all so much for being patient while I slogged through every word. I like to think this process educated me a little more on Springsteen’s work and I hope this has done the same for you. Perhaps later I will go back and order the names based on the time the song was released or even do the men’s names. But, for now I need a break on reading through the words. I will continue to learn about Bruce as I listen to the 66 songs on the Tracks album I just bought.

Thanks again for reading!