The Big 12 is in a Big MESS! Maybe.

Oh my goodness, collegiate sports conferences are a disaster!  Or are they?  For those of you not inclined to care about conferences, let me give you the short version.  Nebraska might jump ship on the Big 12 to join the Big 10 (where the money made is divided up evenly among schools).  If that happens then the Big 12 could completely fall apart.  A sports analyst from ESPN has done a great job of breaking down all the possible scenarios.

This situation has made clear to me where my loyalties lie despite two years and a diploma from an SEC school and my current position and love for a Big 12 powerhouse.  My heart still belongs to the Buckeyes and the Big 10.

So if the Big 10 wants to add Nebraska or another strong team then by all means.  My only worry is that UT would end up in the Pac 10.  I hate the Pac 10.  Even more than the SEC.  When I looked at grad schools and briefly considered a California school my dad put an end to that by simply pointing out that "that's a Pac 10 school."  Conversation finished.

I don't know if I can handle working at a Pac 10 institution.  I might cry.  Or maybe nothing will happen.  Stay tuned... we should know something by the end of the week!

Pocket Susan Quote:

"Ability may get you to the top, but it takes character to keep you there." - John Wooden, great and legendary UCLA coach.  Even though UCLA is in the Pac 10.

In the Market for Some Fleas?

I'm still trying to figure out why it's called a flea market.  If you know, please fill me in.  But that is completely beside the point.  The point is that after several months of planning and storing boxes full of stuff that was too "good" to give away, some friends and I finally went to the Austin Country Flea Market.  The joy of this flea market is that anyone can rent a space and set up their garage sale.  Unlike a garage sale, though, you don't have price anything and you are guaranteed a pretty good crowd.  We all made some money and had a good time!

Here are some pics from our adventure...

Kayla and I as we set up our spot.  

 Our awesome location on Day 1, conveniently located by the port-a-potty even though the restrooms are less than 50 ft away.  What you can't really see in this photo is lake/puddle that surrounds two sides of our space.  Love it.  We definitely moved on Day 2.

 The Sunday crowd appreciating the live band.  That's right... a live band at the Flea Market. 

 Our neighboring stand was  people who buy used instruments and fix them up for resale.  By mid-afternoon we were getting crispy so they made us these awesome personal shade systems out of umbrellas and microphone stands.

No Such Thing As a Free Ride (Actually There is But Hitchhiking is Scary!)

Today, I forgot my wallet.  I had to borrow money from Justin so that I could buy lunch.  I hiked across campus to the Union to buy a salad, but remembered once I got there that the salad place is closed until summer classes begin next week.  Bummer!  Not wanting the fast food options available inside the Union, I wandered outside to Guadalupe Street and peered down the drag at my other food options.  

Texadelphia: too greasy.  

Einstein: too breakfasty.  

Wich Wich: too repetitive.  

I finally settled on Chipotle, not because I really wanted it, but mainly because it was closest.

I walked in, placed my order, and waited at the counter to pay.  I ended up standing directly in front of the large stack of red baskets that they place the "for here" burritos in.  The stack in this restaurant was extraordinarily large, in preparation for the lunch crowd.  I would estimate 1.5 feet of stacked baskets... leaning slightly to the right.  

I don't know if there was a breeze or one of the employees brushed the stack, but suddenly all of those baskets started falling toward me in slow motion.  All I could think was, "Oh gosh!  Everyone will think I knocked them over!  Don't fall on me!"  I reached out with my right hand and caught the top basket and secured the bottom of the stack with my left, forcing them back onto the counter.  "Phew! Close call!"

The manager of the restaurant happened to be standing there and he exclaimed, "that was amazing!  You saved us!"  

Um, no sir, I just saved myself.  But, "You're welcome."  And I moved forward to pay for my lunch with my borrowed money and get out of there.

Then the manager said, "I think that those quick reflexes deserve a free lunch.  What you think?  Is that fair?"

"Haha, sure.  Thanks"  I totally thought he was joking.

But when then the cashier asked if I wanted a drink and I said no thanks (borrowed money after all) and he said, "you might as well, it's on us."  

"Oh well, all right then.  Thanks!"

So debate about the existence of a free ride/hitchhiking aside, I have learned that there is a free lunch.