bowl game shame

SOTD: Miranda Lambert - 'Famous In A Small Town'

It's difficult to get excited about tonight's BCS championship game between Auburn and Oregon considering the events of this past weekend, but perhaps having a destraction to occupy our minds for a few hours and remind us that life goes on will have a positive effect for those in need.

That said, I remember when my Tennessee Vols played in the first BCS game back on January 4, 1999. I was an 18 year old senior at Cumberland County High School, waiting for my letter of acceptance from the University of Tennessee. As part of an early release program, I worked at the local radio station several afternoons a week where I would gather news stories and topics of local interest that I could piece together for the weekend reports which I would not only produce, but also record and broadcast, typically, by myself. This is probably the coolest job a kid growing up in Crossville could ever have!

One of the perks of my job was the occasional ticket to a really cool concert, and New Years Eve 1998 was no exception. I accompanied the boss's 10 year old daughter, his wife, and one of the girls in ad sales to Nashville where we rang in the new year with box seats at the then annual Tim McGraw and Faith Hill NYE concert. But the coolest part for me was the opening act, the Dixie Chicks, who I still love today! After such an exciting night, I could hardly say no when I was asked to work the next day and the weekend that followed. 

That weekend I reported numerous news stories. But every broadcast had one common thread, the mention of the upcoming Fiesta Bowl Championship game between Tennessee and Florida State. As many of you probably already know, the Fiesta Bowl was played in Tempe, Arizona. I knew this too. What I didn't know apparently, was how to pronounce, Tempe. In each and every story I reported 'Temp-pay' rather than the correct 'Temp-pee' and it didn't take long for the townsfolk to let me know I was doing it wrong. Unfortunately, I didn't receive personal calls at work and had never really sparked a response from the listeners, so even though I noticed the phone lines lighting up like a Christmas tree, it was days after the actual game before I learned that dozens of messages had been left for me with the correct pronunciation, and in some cases a couple of other choice words. But I never went on air again without first making sure I knew how to say each and every word I reported, including some very difficult names for the obituaries.

My work with the radio station became the catalyst for what would be my future studies at UT. I had the time of my life working at WOW 102.5fm and I would do it all over again in a heartbeat. As for the 1999 BCS game, UT beat FSU 23 to 16 and I began studies at the University of Tennessee in the fall of 1999 under the National Championship Banner.

Tonight, I will be pulling for a typical Tennessee rival, the Auburn Tigers. When my team plays, I cheer for the Vols, but if the Vols aren't playing, I root for the SEC. In the years of the BCS Championship games, when an SEC team has played, they've won every time. It would be a shame if Auburn let the whole conference down. Go Tigers! Make those Ducks quack!!

trying to make sense out the senseless

SOTD: Gary Jules - 'Mad World'

It's hard to find a place to start. I've been in a preoccupied cloud of distractions for the last 48 hours and it's only in the last hour or so that I've become aware of the events that took place in Tuscon yesterday.

From what I've learned, a 22 year old guy who had been kicked out of community college purchased a gun from a sportsman's warehouse in November and planned his attack carefully. Evidence shows that he had attended a 'Congress on the Corner' event previously, but the event yesterday was the culmination of weeks of planning and preparing for what would become a horrific event. His intended target, the democrat representative, Congresswoman Gabby Giffords.

Unfortunately, the gunman hit not only his target, but several others. The Congresswoman took a bullet through her brain and it is unclear how she might recover from her injury. At this moment, there are 6 confirmed deaths; the most shocking for me, a little girl, Christina Green, who was born on September 11, 2001. The girl, newly elected to her schools Student Council, reportedly attended the event because she was interested in government and politics. 

I hate stories like this. Because I realize they aren't just stories. These are events that forever alter every life connected to them. It's hard not to think back to Virgina Tech and the events of April 16, 2007. I'll never forget that day and the days that followed. I was sitting at work with my TV turned to CNN, as usual, and the story broke. I watched in disbelief, praying that the reporters had it all wrong. I was praying that there was some catastrophic misunderstanding and the reports that dozens of students and teachers had been attacked was simply wrong. As the hours went on my prayers went unanswered. When I left work that day details had started to solidify, but it was still impossible to rationalize, to understand how anyone could make sense of such horror. 

The following day, I spent most of my time in the waiting room of the Comprehensive Breast Center (as I had done annually since having my tumor removed in 2002). As you can imagine, VT was the only topic the news was covering, it was all over the newspapers and it was the only topic of conversation among the fifteen or so women waiting in that room that day. I, of course, was the youngest person in the room by at least a decade, and for some reason, seemed like a wealth of knowledge for many of the older women in the room. I guess being glued to my television and internet since the tragic events were made public gave me some sense of being informed.

A couple of years later, while talking to a friend who produces news segments for one of the morning shows, I learned an even more horrific account of what happened in those days surrounding the massacre. She told me about what she experienced the day I was stuck in the waiting room. As is common with television, you need people related to a story to tell a story, which is how my friend ended up on the front porch of the home of one of the wounded professors. Moments before she rang the door bell to ask his wife for an interview her phone rang, it was her boss informing her that the professor had just succumbed to his injuries. At the end of the very brief call her boss gave his final request, to get the interview. I can't imagine what must have gone through her mind in that moment. Being every bit the professional she is, she rang the door bell and preceded to get the interview.

I know that what happened at Virginia Tech and what took place yesterday are enormously different, but the fallout is virtually the same. Lives have been taken. Lives have been changed. The common thread is the need for civility. 

There's been a lot of commentary on the possible political motives behind this attack. Is it the state's recent and controversial stand on immigration? Could it be the work of a political movement (a la, the Tea Party)? I'm not sure. But if this action is a response to the political climate, we need to take a long hard look at what is being done to build partisan unity rather than the numerous ways each party has attempted to mark their proverbial territory. Politicians need to own their responsibility here and avoid using this as an opportunity for political gain. I don't like seeing images of Sarah Palin's 'cross-hairs map' and being reminded of her rally cry 'don't retreat, reload.' This isn't the time or the place. 

As I go to sleep tonight, I will be praying for all of the victims that are still trying to make it through the events of yesterday's rampage as well as the family, friends and professionals that will be going through the recovery with them. And for those leaders who were not physically effected by the shooting, I pray they receive wisdom to govern our nation toward unity and safety. If you feel inclined to join me, I invite you to do so.

significant insignificance

SOTD: Brandi Carlile "That Year"

Have you ever looked back at old photographs and noticed the people standing in the background? Have you ever thought that for every unknown person standing in the shadows of your photos there might be a stranger somewhere holding a similar picture of you?

I've been thinking about this a lot (not just because the walls of this website are covered in frames). There are countless photo ops in any given year; birthdays, anniversaries, weddings, vacations...are you starting to get the picture (pun intended). But how many of those photos are taken in a restaurant, a museum, a theme park or church? How many photos do you have that were taken with more people in the background than you wanted in the actual picture?

The Beach in Nice France

I have lots! I've been fortunate enough to travel fairly extensively, and the unknown faces in the backgrounds of my photos actually span the globe. 

When I started posting here last week I linked my old blog from the Summer of 2004.  I only posted on it once, right after my study abroad in Paris. But looking at it again after all these years I began to feel nostalgic and couldn't help but thumb through some old photographs from the trip. It was the pictures taken at popular tourists destinations like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre that sparked my curiosity most. You see, in these photos not only were the backgrounds full of people I didn't know, but those people were carrying cameras, which I can only assume means they were taking photographs as well.

The Clock at the Musee D'Orsay

Is it weird to think about the people in the world who have inadvertently taken your picture? Is it possible that you happened to be in the same location as a significant moment for someone else? Is it possible that an insignificant moment for you is sitting in a beautiful frame on someone's mantle?

The next time you look at photos you've framed around your house or pull out an old photo album look at the background of your pictures. My guess is, you'll see the insignificant as something much more significant.

greek to me

SOTD: John Mayer 'No Such Thing'

Tonight, on ABC Family, one of my favorite guilty pleasures returns for it's final season. It's a gem of a show called, 'Greek'. Set at the fictitious Cypress Rhodes University, it chronicles the highs and lows of life as a student and member of the Greek community. I'll be the first to admit that many of the plots are exaggerated stereotypes, but there are just as many that are spot on, which is precisely why I love to watch.

For some strange reason, anytime I think about 'Greek' I think about my friend Celeste. (For those of you who know Celeste you are probably smiling right now, even if you aren't familiar with the show.) I can't say that we've ever even talked about the series, but still, I always draw a parallel between the two.

I met Celeste during sorority Rush my freshman year at the University of Tennessee in the fall of 1999. There were over a thousand girls going through Rush that year and everything was organized alphabetically. Our last names both start with 'W' so it was inevitable that we were usually standing only feet apart as we waited outside each suite waiting for the parties to begin. The week started with Open House, a hectic day that included visits to all 14 sorority suites. After the third or fourth party I had become annoyed by a tall, thin, blond-haired girl with an crazy personality who seemed to find amusement in even the most mundane things. As you might have guessed, this girl was Celeste. 

I never shared my annoyance with her, at least not that week, but as the days went on and the parties were fewer and fewer, I noticed she was still in nearly every party line I attended. On the last night, pref night, there she was again. And after the parties, when it was time to fill out the pref card, she was in the back of my head as listed my top choice. I couldn't help but think, if we end up in the same sorority, I will quit. There's no way I can handle someone that obnoxious in my life. Besides, we're so different, what are the odds that we would end up in the same place anyway.

Well, the odds were pretty good. When I opened my bid card, I was thrilled to have gotten my first choice, Zeta Tau Alpha, but my enthusiasm was lessened as I entered the suite and saw that my worst fear had come true, this person who I didn't think I could stand next to in line for even a minute more was now a part of what would be a significant portion of my college experience.

There were many times over the course of that first year when we had to work together and got to know her better. What I first saw as obnoxious and crazy eventually became part of the charm that is Celeste. Before the end of Spring semester, we had even become good friends.

Over the years, Celeste has always been there when I really needed her. A shoulder to cry on when my heart was broken, a cheerleader when the obstacles ahead seemed too challenging and a drinking buddy when the afternoon was just too nice to not have a beer on the patio at Calhoun's! She even gave up whatever plans she might have made to stay with me during Fall break senior year after I had my tonsils removed and my mom couldn't be there.

We don't talk everyday, actually, it's normal that several months go by between our chats. But when we do get together it's like no time has passed at all. What I've learned over the years about Celeste is that I was never annoyed by her. I was annoyed that she was always so comfortable in her own skin, just being herself; something I could never do. Ultimately, I am a better person for having her in my life. I learned not to take life so seriously and that if you are too worried about what everyone else is thinking, you'll never be able to let go and have a good time.

Had it not been for our Greek life, I can't say that we would have ever become friends. But I am thankful we are. Of all the people I met and formed friendships with in college I value the friendship I have with Celeste the most. When I look back twenty or thirty years from now, I am sure that we will still be friends and hopefully we'll be telling our kids stories of our wild and crazy youth over big 'ole glasses of wine!

here comes the...new year

SOTD: Lea Michele (Glee) "Don't Rain On My Parade"

Ironically, it is actually raining right now, but that isn't why I chose this song. I chose it because it embodies the mindset I want to start the new year with; full steam ahead, nothing will get in my way. I am determined to make the most of 2011. 

There are a few things I am really looking forward to this year. 

Like every girl who has ever imagined herself to be a princess or planned a fairy tale wedding, I am obsessed with the impending nuptials between Prince William and Kate Middleton. At barely 9 months old, I was much to young to remember the royal wedding between Prince Charles and Diana, but my mom assures me we watched it together in the wee hours of the morning. Perhaps that is where my obsession with the royal family actually began. I still remember where I was when I heard the news of Diana's death and I remember crying for the first time over the loss of someone I had never even met.

I became aware of Kate Middleton about 5 years ago and I have been captivated by her since. Her style, her elegance, her patience. No one could ever replace Diana, but Kate Middleton is the closest thing to a revival I could ever hope to imagine. I've read a couple of books about her and I have no doubts that she will follow in Diana's footsteps as an ambassador of good will and champion of charity. 

On April 29th, I plan to wake early and sit with the rest of the world and watch as history is made yet again. For the first time in over 100 years, a commoner will marry into the royal family. This, my friends, is the epitome of fairy tale.

There is another, less royal, but equally anticipated set of nuptials I am excited to witness this year. On July 16th in a little Colorado town called Beaver Creek my favorite college roommate, Kirsten Goodman, will marry the most understanding guy I've ever met, Mr. Kerry Connor. 

I remember the first time Kirsten 'brought Kerry home to meet the friends' and started what would be an annual trip to Knoxville. Usually during the month of October, the two would arrive for a long weekend that at the very least always included a Vols game and a trip to Barley's. Kerry and I hit it off the very first time we met. I remember thinking what a perfect match; Kirsten's personality tends to border on the highly energized side and Kerry is more laid back and go with the flow. They really balance each other well. 

I missed seeing them this year, but not long after their visit at the beginning of the football season, I got a call from Kirsten confirming what I knew was inevitable, they were engaged! I am so happy for them and even more thrilled to be there to share in the excitement with them.

Weddings aren't the only thing I'm looking forward to this year, they just happen to be the only things with actual dates set. 

I have every reason to believe that I will in fact find a job this year. Yes, I have a freelance media archiving gig for the moment, but I would really like to find something a bit more structured and permanent. I have another interview later this week, so cross your fingers!

Also, this year I plan to reconnect with old friends. I have been back, living in my hometown, for nearly 4 months now and I've only really spent time with one of my old friends. At some point I have to stop thinking about the person I want to be and the things I want to do and just go for it.

Whatever happens this year, when I look back a year from now, I want to be able to say that I didn't let Nobody Rain on my Parade!