D-Bag O the Week

Just wondering how many folks out there happen to catch the Bachelor doing color commentary on the South Carolina/ NC State game the other night. If you did then you undoubtedly caught a glimpse of what Jesse Palmer probably looked like when his mom took dressed him for Sunday School when he was four. Damn if that man's tie barely made it half way down his shirt. Which leads us to believe that it was probably a clip-on.
You would think that if a man spent a season as this country's most eligible he would have learned to tie a double windsor but no, not Jesse, its hard for him to look in the mirror and not confused. Well... what is to be expected from a guy who spent his formative years in Gainesville? It was probably all the wardrobe folks could do to get him out of his jorts.

Rammer Jamme... I can't even type it!

The pride of the tide nation... poor Bear being immortalized on the back of this tool!
And should we forget this taste of class...

Sweet Lou

First Game Day of the season this morning. Corso, of course was a tool and sweet Lou was treading a thin line. Made me think of this jewel from the blogosphere...

South FLA Goodness

"I wanna do Hoodrat stuff with my friends..."

Good Things... Woodford Reserve

Well... school started this week so it looks like summer is on the way out.  You wouldn't know it by the weather, because, DAMN, it is still hot and humid.  Nonetheless, I spent a little time each morning this week at the bus stop making sure my little folks at least made it that far.  To cap the week off we had a little cook-out at our house last night... you know, a couple of good friends and great food... kind of a last hoorah of summer.  Of course, we also watched Phelps win (barely this time) another gold medal... seven down... one to go!

As I was into my third vodka tonic, I realized that many of the rules that just make good fashion sense also apply to liquor as well.  Yes, soon enough we would be putting the vodka away for the season and dusting off the bourbon for another fall football season.  I'm sure there are some folks out there that just continue with the same libations all year long but for me bourbon is much more enjoyable in the cool fall air rather than the high humidity of summer. 

I spent a couple of years in Lexington, Ky and it was here that I refined my bourbon tastes.  Up unto this point in my life, my bourbon experience was limited to Jim Beam bought at Kiamie's and the only thing I really knew was that there was something magical that happened when you mixed a bourbon and coke in Vaught Heminway... perhaps it was the fact that the concoction was stirred with flag stick.   While the bluegrass isn't known as a football powerhouse, they do produce some dang good racehorses and bourbon.  Like I said, it was here that I had my bourbon horizon's expanded.  But it wasn't until a couple years later that I wandered upon, what I consider, one of the best bourbons you can find on the shelf at just about any local liquor store.  Woodford Reserve and water has taken the place of the Beam and coke.... heck it has even replaced Maker's Mark. 

My buddy had a convertible and one of our favorite pastimes was "country roadin".  We used to just drop the top and drive through the storied bluegrass horse farms late at night.  During my last visit to Lexington we drove out to the Woodford Distillery.  Words cannot accurately describe how cool it really is... just one of those unique places that does one thing really well.  

Good Things... Chinese Fir at Augusta National

As the "good" thoughts continue I turn my attention to the world of golf and more directly a couple of hours east on I-20 to Augusta.  I have had the good fortune to visit Augusta National a couple of times now and, much like Keeneland, there is no place like it on earth.  I vividly remember walking down the 5th fairway and marveling at the immaculate grass that serves as the rough or "second cut" around Augusta.  I'm not sure I can say this clear enough but I will try.  You need to go to Augusta once in your life.  I don't care if you are golf fan or not you need to experience the grandeur that is the Masters.  

Here's the cool thing about Augusta National and their tournament... the membership owns it... all.  You know... the old coots in the Green Jackets.  They own the tournament and everything associated with it.  And because most of those guys already have more money than Bill Gates, they don't care if they make any or not.  So, what you won't find are $9 beers and $10 hotdogs (just an aside here... a couple of years later the Atlanta Athletic Club hosted the PGA Championship and not only did I pay an insane amount for concessions but you couldn't find a Coke anywhere near the place.  Apparently the PGA sold its soul to Pepsi.  Who would of ever thought you couldn't get a Coke in the city of Atlanta?)  I think I paid $1.25 for a Pimento Cheese Sandwich and $1.50 for a beer!  I also know I paid $5 to park in someone's driveway and then they gave me and my buddy a ride to front gate in a golf cart... I guess that's just a perk of having the two largest golf cart companies in town.

Here's the deal with the Masters... every tom, dick and Tiger Breaux wants be there on the weekend and I guess that's cool but for my money the practice rounds are where its at... not as many people and just a little more laid back.  During my first trip to Augusta I did what every one does... I back tracked my way back to the clubhouse and walked over to see who was on the driving range.  After that, prompted by rumors that Tiger was finishing the front nine, I tried to beat the crowd to Amen Corner.  I found a seat in the grandstand behind the 12th tee box and spent about an hour just watching all the goings on at golf's most famous corner.  Wonderful? You bet but, again, any fool from tigerland could find themselves here.  Right behind the grandstand is a concession area and behind that is the 14th fairway.  Fourteen doesn't get a lot of play on TV.  It's not one of those famed holes at Augusta where the Master's has been won or lost.  It's kind of forgotten.  After I left the grandstand at Amen Corner, I made my way to the 14th fairway.  It was cool and shady... and perfect.  I spent the rest of the afternoon sitting in the shade and watched the best golfers in the world make their way up the 14th fairway.   There were no crowds... as a matter of fact my buddy and I were the only ones sitting there.  The players would stop and talk to us.  It was really cool.  There was a moment in the shade... $1.50 beer in hand... that I realized that this was a really special place!  I told my buddy to call my wife and tell I was never coming home!

Good Things... Keeneland Race Course

In an effort to continue yesterday's thread, I thought I would spend a moment looking at something (like good bbq) that Ole Miss folks could naturally sink their teeth into. When I think about the really special places I have had the pleasure to visit... the truly unique experiences... this one naturally comes to mind. 

At the heart of the bluegrass lies Keeneland Race Course. This place is truly old school and it is the closest thing to the Grove I have ever experienced... lots of bourbon, girls in sun dresses and people tailgating before post time.  Now here is the down side...you will find many people playing Corn Hole, which I'm not sure is really a fun game or a way to save parking places for friends... either way, in the words of my good friend Monroe Jett, " Corn Hole?  That crap is natural girl repellant!"

Now, I know what you're gonna say!  What about Churchill Downs?  What about the Kentucky Derby?  Trust me when I say this... The Derby is cool and I guess Churchill Downs is a cool place to be one weekend a year but for the most part it is the equivalent to Tiger Stadium and Louisville... Baton Rouge.  Even the Derby ain't that swanky... especially if you find yourself in the infield.  Imagine the filth of New Orleans (in both actual trash and trashy visitors) at the height of Mardi Gras and drop it into a muddy infield and there you have it... Churchill downs at it's finest!

So, bypass that whole experience and head for Keeneland.  Trust me, Ole Miss folks, you'll feel strangely at home!

Good Things... Central BBQ

Today... well at least this morning's attention has turned away from the upcoming football season.  I've got one in the house that is celebrating her birthday today... 5 years old.  Check her out!
 

The upcoming birthday party has me in good mood and has me thinking about the good things in life.  Here is something that I recently enjoyed...

That is most definitely a "rack of dry" from, what I now consider, the new King of Ribs in Memphis.  Now, here's what really ups my blood pressure....

Yes... this is my eldest enjoying her very first dry rib!  Her reaction says it all, "I just love BBQ!"

A happy day!

Her momma is so proud... really, she probably is very proud of baby girl

Not new but still FUNNY!

Just saw this and thought it was funny enough to post...

Lest we forget...

With all the pre-season talk in full swing, I've been spending a good bit of time reminding myself who we are and, more importantly, who we are not!  I posed a question the other day on a message board that asked, "If we could only beat one team this year who would it be?"  I concluded that Alabama was my pick... but after watching this I am quickly reminded that LSU fans just might be the worst of the worst...

Attentions turned...

I've been focusing my attention as of late on those bumbling idiots from Tuscaloser, but I have recently been reminded that I don't have to cross state lines to find the heights of stupidity.  Yes, my memory has been jogged by the fellow below and his touching story that, while we might be down, we are not out.  Thanks to the Mississippi State Welcome Wagon for snapping me back to reality and helping me to realize that win or lose... things aren't that bad!

One Month And Counting

So here it is... August 1st,  and we are just under one month away from strappin' it on and tee'n it up!  I generally get pretty jazzed about the upcoming football season but for some reason, this year I am especially jacked up.  Perhaps its the way last season ended or the changes that have taken place since that dreadful fourth quarter... I don't know... I am ready for the new start that September brings.  In looking over the schedule I really want to dismantle Alabama.  I mean we could lose every game and win in Tuscaloosa and I wouldn't be that upset... well I'd be a little upset... but not totally destroyed like last year.  The only time I've ever been to a game in Tuscaloosa was when we played (and beat) Alabama for their homecoming game.  I remember the article in one of the Tuscaloosa rags that declared Ole Miss as, "everyone's choice for a homecoming opponent".  I also remember walking back to my friend's fraternity house seeing stunned fans sitting on the curb crying... I mean grown men openly sobbing!  That was a fine day.