"At Georgia Southern, we don't cheat. That costs money and we don't have any." Erk Russell / Georgia Southern.
"Football is only a game. Spiritual things are eternal. Nevertheless, Beat Texas." Seen on a church sign in Arkansas prior to the 1969 game.
"After you retire, there's only one big event left....and I ain't ready for that." Bobby Bowden / Florida State
"The man who complains about the way the ball bounces is likely to be the one who dropped it." Lou Holtz / Arkansas
"When you win, nothing hurts." Joe Namath / Alabama
"Motivation is simple. You eliminate those who are not motivated." Lou Holtz / Arkansas
"If you want to walk the heavenly streets of gold, you gotta know the password, "Roll, tide, roll!" Bear Bryant / Alabama
"A school without football is in danger of deteriorating into a medieval study hall." Frank Leahy / Notre Dame
"There's nothing that cleanses your soul like getting the hell kicked out of you." Woody Hayes / Ohio State
"I don't expect to win enough games to be put on NCAA probation. I just want to win enough to warrant an investigation." Bob Devaney / Nebraska
"In Alabama, an atheist is someone who doesn't believe in Bear Bryant." Wally Butts / Georgia
"You can learn more character on the two-yard line than anywhere else in life." Paul Dietzel / LSU
"It's kind of hard to rally around a math class." Bear Bryant / Alabama
"No, but you can see it from here." Lou Holtz / Arkansas ...When asked if Fayetteville was the end of the world.
"I make my practices real hard because if a player is a quitter, I want him to quit in practice, not in a game." Bear Bryant / Alabama
"There's one sure way to stop us from scoring-give us the ball near the goal line." Matty Bell / SMU
"Lads, you're not to miss practice unless your parents died or you died." Frank Leahy / Notre Dame
"I never graduated from Iowa, but I was only there for two terms - Truman's and Eisenhower's." Alex Karras / Iowa
"My advice to defensive players: Take the shortest route to the ball and arrive in a bad humor." Bowden Wyatt / Tennessee
"I could have been a Rhodes Scholar, except for my grades." Duffy Daugherty / Michigan State
"Always remember.... Goliath was a 40-point favorite over David." Shug Jordan / Auburn
"They cut us up like boarding house pie. And that's real small pieces." Darrell Royal / Texas
"Show me a good and gracious loser, and I'll show you a failure." Knute Rockne / Notre Dame
"They whipped us like a tied-up goat." Spike Dykes / Texas Tech
"I asked Darrell Royal, the coach of the Texas Longhorns, why he didn't recruit me and he said: "Well, Walt, we took a look at you and you weren't any good." Walt Garrison / Oklahoma State
"Son, you've got a good engine, but your hands aren't on the steering wheel." Bobby Bowden / Florida State
"Football is not a contact sport-it is a collision sport. Dancing is a contact sport." Duffy Daugherty / Michigan State
After USC lost 51-0 to Notre Dame, his post game message to his team: "All those who need showers, take them." John McKay / USC
"If lessons are learned in defeat, our team is getting a great education." Murray Warmath / Minnesota
"The only qualifications for a lineman are to be big and dumb. To be a back, you only have to be dumb." Knute Rockne / Notre Dame
"Oh, we played about like three tons of buzzard puke this afternoon." Spike Dykes / Texas Tech
"It isn't necessary to see a good tackle. You can hear it." Knute Rockne/ Notre Dame
"We live one day at a time and scratch where it itches." Darrell Royal /Texas
"We didn't tackle well today but we made up for it by not blocking." John McKay / USC
"Three things can happen when you throw the ball, and two of them are bad." Darrell Royal / University of Texas
"I've found that prayers work best when you have big players." Knute Rockne / Notre Dame
"Gentlemen, it is better to have died a small boy than to fumble this football." John Heisman
Monday, September 24, 2007
Saturday, September 8, 2007
What is family?
Recent events in my own family, have brought the question to mind ... again... what is family? I'm not talking about blood. That's the easy definition, and one, to be honest, that I don't put a whole lot of stock in. Biological parents run out on their kids every day. Sisters and brothers turn their backs on each other. In my case, grandmothers disown their granddaughters.
The family you are born into is just a starting place. They may stay an integral, healthy, welcome part of your life always. They may be the biggest part of your life, but there are other people who become family for reasons far beyond blood. As you get older, you find another family along your way. No, they aren't all waiting along life's path in one place, but you collect them as you pass through time. Some stay forever, and some are only with you for a time. But each plays a role in who you are and who you become.
I'm not big on church, and I don't believe in the Bible as history, but one of my favorite books of all time (not just in the Bible, but in general) is The Book of Ruth. It's an amazing story about two women who are not blood, but become family to each other. "Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God."
So here's my question to the masses, some who are my family, some who are total strangers: What is family? What makes someone your family?
I'm not looking for complex answers. A word or phrase will do. Love. Trust. Loyalty. Taking care of each other.
The family you are born into is just a starting place. They may stay an integral, healthy, welcome part of your life always. They may be the biggest part of your life, but there are other people who become family for reasons far beyond blood. As you get older, you find another family along your way. No, they aren't all waiting along life's path in one place, but you collect them as you pass through time. Some stay forever, and some are only with you for a time. But each plays a role in who you are and who you become.
I'm not big on church, and I don't believe in the Bible as history, but one of my favorite books of all time (not just in the Bible, but in general) is The Book of Ruth. It's an amazing story about two women who are not blood, but become family to each other. "Whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God."
So here's my question to the masses, some who are my family, some who are total strangers: What is family? What makes someone your family?
I'm not looking for complex answers. A word or phrase will do. Love. Trust. Loyalty. Taking care of each other.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
The change
Where in the course of a relationship, regardless of what type, do we transition from a valued partner to unappreciated and taken for granted. No, I'm not talking about a husband or boyfriend, but there is this guy. He's the head of another department in my company, and I have to work with him quite a bit these days.
He's got plenty of his own issues: insecure, moody, catty, but I've always liked working with him. I enjoy his energy and his ideas. When we first started working on a big project together at the beginning of the year (I'm the project manager, he's the sponsor), he was all thank yous and praise. Now, I've turned into his whipping horse when he's having a bad day. How quickly things change.
I've tried every which way I know to avoid pushing the button that causes him to become so defensive, but I don't even know what the button is to avoid it! He's so insecure that talking to him isn't really an option. Once he knows he's been an ass, his version of an apology for an unnecessary head biting is to avoid me for weeks on end (at the expense of the project) and act like we've just been so busy we didn't have time. His misbehavior never comes up. He just acts like it never happened. All is forgiven, right?
Working with this person is no longer fun. I feel like I'm walking in a mine field. It's sad really. I could have learned more from him -- and him from me though he'd never admit that, but he won't change, and I'm not taking his shit anymore. Game over.
He's got plenty of his own issues: insecure, moody, catty, but I've always liked working with him. I enjoy his energy and his ideas. When we first started working on a big project together at the beginning of the year (I'm the project manager, he's the sponsor), he was all thank yous and praise. Now, I've turned into his whipping horse when he's having a bad day. How quickly things change.
I've tried every which way I know to avoid pushing the button that causes him to become so defensive, but I don't even know what the button is to avoid it! He's so insecure that talking to him isn't really an option. Once he knows he's been an ass, his version of an apology for an unnecessary head biting is to avoid me for weeks on end (at the expense of the project) and act like we've just been so busy we didn't have time. His misbehavior never comes up. He just acts like it never happened. All is forgiven, right?
Working with this person is no longer fun. I feel like I'm walking in a mine field. It's sad really. I could have learned more from him -- and him from me though he'd never admit that, but he won't change, and I'm not taking his shit anymore. Game over.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Thursday, August 16, 2007
A God I can relate to ...
I love the story below. I finally have a way to explain by discontent with religion in terms anyone can understand. Thank you, Susan, for passing it along. I really appreciate it! (And I'm not being a smartass when I say that.)
It's no secret that I am not a traditionally religious person. Lord knows how many arguments I've gotten into with my dad about church and God and Jesus. (I happily wear the heathen crown in the family.) I don't like church, or even organized religion for that matter, because most of my experiences have been with the people in the pews, not the old man. One of my favorite books of all time is the Book of Ruth, but not because I think it's history, but because it's a beautiful story of love and devotion that I can relate to and learn from and take hope that I will find that same love and devotion from someone. I've read the entire Bible (old and new testament and a few extra books in the Catholic canon) cover to cover -- twice.
My God may not be your God, but that doesn't matter to anyone but you. He is mine, and I have faith because I believe in him. I can't be wrong about that. I live in the world and love the world with all that's in nature as my congregation, and I spend time every day appreciating the miracle that it is, even in the face of pain and suffering and ugliness. God is an artist. I love his work, and I take time to understand and appreciate it. In the end, I think that is what will really matter to him, not how many Sundays I spent in church.
Enjoy the story.
His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans, and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college.
He is brilliant. Kind of profound and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college.
Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. They want to develop a ministry to the students but are not sure how to go about it.
One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started and so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat.
The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now, people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything.
Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit, and when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet.
By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick.
About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill.
Now, the deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane, and as he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying to themselves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do. How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor?
It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy.
The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane. All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do.
And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty, he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won't be alone.
Everyone chokes up with emotion. When the minister gains control, he says,"What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget."
"Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read!"
I asked the Lord to bless you
As I prayed for you today.
To guide you and protect you
As you go along your way....
His love is always with you,
His promises are true,
And when we give Him all our cares,
You know He will see us through.
It's no secret that I am not a traditionally religious person. Lord knows how many arguments I've gotten into with my dad about church and God and Jesus. (I happily wear the heathen crown in the family.) I don't like church, or even organized religion for that matter, because most of my experiences have been with the people in the pews, not the old man. One of my favorite books of all time is the Book of Ruth, but not because I think it's history, but because it's a beautiful story of love and devotion that I can relate to and learn from and take hope that I will find that same love and devotion from someone. I've read the entire Bible (old and new testament and a few extra books in the Catholic canon) cover to cover -- twice.
My God may not be your God, but that doesn't matter to anyone but you. He is mine, and I have faith because I believe in him. I can't be wrong about that. I live in the world and love the world with all that's in nature as my congregation, and I spend time every day appreciating the miracle that it is, even in the face of pain and suffering and ugliness. God is an artist. I love his work, and I take time to understand and appreciate it. In the end, I think that is what will really matter to him, not how many Sundays I spent in church.
Enjoy the story.
His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans, and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college.
He is brilliant. Kind of profound and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college.
Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. They want to develop a ministry to the students but are not sure how to go about it.
One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started and so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat.
The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now, people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything.
Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit, and when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet.
By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick.
About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill.
Now, the deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane, and as he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying to themselves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do. How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor?
It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy.
The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane. All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do.
And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty, he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won't be alone.
Everyone chokes up with emotion. When the minister gains control, he says,"What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget."
"Be careful how you live. You may be the only Bible some people will ever read!"
I asked the Lord to bless you
As I prayed for you today.
To guide you and protect you
As you go along your way....
His love is always with you,
His promises are true,
And when we give Him all our cares,
You know He will see us through.
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