December.
Carrie and I watched Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer already. Can it be?
It can. It is. And 2017 is just around the corner. 2017. I didn’t think we would go that high.
I like December. I think back to the days when I worked in a large department store…there was a 7 on the end of one of those years too. 1987. Working at the store during Christmas time was fun. It was hard work. Boy was it hard work. Never stopped. Always something. Very exciting. I was a Christmas Eve shopper. Back then the store closed at 5 PM on Christmas Eve. We were also closed on Thanksgiving. Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas Day. Those were the three days we were closed. I volunteered to work on Christmas Eve. I didn’t have much money. I looked for Christmas Eve bargains and found them. Stores would lower prices after 3 o’clock just trying to move stuff. But I was concerting in my shopping. I didn’t just grab something. I took a nice long late lunch. After 1 pm the place was rather desolate anyway on Christmas Eve. The mall was giving way to folks prepping to head to Grandma’s house for dinner.
Me, I just took my bags out to the car after I made my purchases, then before I left the store, I made a deal with the store manager who drew the short straw and had to be there that day. I got some wrapping paper for a discounted employee discount. No, I did not take that much advantage. I never walked out of the place without paying for it…sometimes more ways than one. Here is to Ed Calldemeier, Brother Love Kahl, Gary Beckley, Wanda, Dave Hussung, Davey Cochran, Christy Adams, Jude Smith, Dave Killebrew, Guy Williams, Duncan Hines, Casper, Bill Barnes….the Barnesman…and I could go on. Merry Christmas to you all.
My dear wife, Carrie, and I are going heading to Indy tomorrow. We are going to watch the Big Ten Championship game tomorrow night. Penn State is the designated home team against Wisconsin…or should I say…Swissconsin. I usually do. I have seen both of these teams play on multiple occasions in Bloomington. One year I saw Wisconsin in the Music City Bowl against Auburn. That was a good game too.
So we are heading for one more game in the sun. Well, not really. It kicks off at 8:17 and is being played in the Lucas Oil Stadium. That is the home of the NFL’s Indianapolis Colts. Given I have made trips to Neyland Stadium in Knoxville, The Rose Bowl in Pasadena, and The Joan in Huntington (just one game…though we had tickets for more)…everyone I tell that I have yet to see the inside of the Lucas Oil Stadium is surprised. I suppose I have made an effort to avoid it. But that time has passed. I so enjoyed watching Peyton Manning in the old Hoosier/RCA Dome. That is how I wanted to remember Colt football in person. I’d imagine the place will be adorned in Big Ten field. But I don’t know. Heck, it is almost 2017 so it is time. I was at The Rose Bowl two weeks ago. It is time to check out that stadium two hours up the road…not five hours by plane.
I have seen my share of stadiums. After the Rose Bowl, they’re all like tater tots.
This week’s games I better hurry with the first one. I am not watching…but ethically, it kicks off in less than 10 minutes:
Western Michigan beats Ohio…I want to pick Coach Solich’s team…I really do. Can’t.
Penn State beats Wisconsin….There will be tears in the eyes of some of the Mt. Nittany faithful tomorrow night. I hope so. They need to win. They need some good.
Alabama beats Florida….then they beat the next team and the they beat the next team and then they are National Champs again. Rumor has it Coach Saban ordered the Bama Wood Shop class to offer 3-d renderings of the new cabinet they are looking to put the new trophy in. Who could blame him? Then after that, he can find a new offensive coordinator.
Western Kentucky beats Louisiana Tech….I hope the Bulldogs win this one. I have been to Ruston. I like the people there better than the folks in Bowling Green. But the pizza is better in Bowling Green.
Colorado beats Washington…I really think they will.
Oklahoma beats Oklahoma State…my DVR will get a work out tomorrow. Won’t be watching these while we are in Indy taking it in.
Baylor beats West Virginia…that is a heart call. Can’t call those Mountaineers winners!
Navy beats Temple….Anchors Away!
Virginia Tech beats Clemson…Does anyone out there know what the “pucker factor” is? Clemson has had the puckers on occasion this year. They will tomorrow too.
New Hampshire beats James Madison…They are on the road, but I like my UNH Wildcats here.
Kansas State beats TCU….Bill Snyder for President in 2020.
Grambling beats Alcorn…Might be a kicker’s battle. That would be fun.
The Citadel beats Wofford…That is for my old friend Pat Conroy.
The next set of 2016 picks will be the Bowlapalooza Picks…including Bama as National Champs.
Stay warm…it is going to get cold out there.
And go Nittany Lions. I will be pulling for you tomorrow night.
Speaking the Rights…
Danny Johnson