pieces

To all of those who are concerned about me getting injured on the football field: don’t worry. You see, I don’t have to be playing a sport to hurt myself. Take yesterday for example. I’m walking out of my office and turn the corner and pop pop - I tweaked my knee. And now it’s so stiff and swollen I can hardly walk. So instead of anticipating our first real practice, I am looking forward to a visit with our team’s doctor tomorrow. I’m hoping it’s just a minor strain or sprain. Because, really, if it isn’t, I need a much better story, and I just admitted to all of you what really happened.

There are over 48,000 students at UT. And I know about 20. Which is why it was so weird that as Rebecca and I walked through campus at lunch, we met no fewer than three, from totally different parts of my life.

The first was Amber, from my football team.
The second was Jennifer, from Bible study.
The third was Todd, from kickball.

Weird. What are the odds? And of course, I saw none of them. They all saw me first. Which makes it even stranger.

And I even almost forgot Rebecca’s name when doing introductions (which I didn’t do for all three, because, as I mentioned here, names aren’t exactly my forte).

After hours of scouring overpriced shops (or, walking in, seeing a $4000 chair, and leaving), we finally found a reasonably priced, high quality furniture store (I’m slowly getting myself out of grad-student mode and buying things that will last). It is called Furniture Market, and their North location is at 10108 N I H 35, 78753. If you go, ask for a wonderfully knowledgeable salesman named Shaun. And don’t worry, no one will come escort you around unless you ask them to, but if you do ask a question they’ll know what’s up. We bought a breakfast table (floor sample, so really cheap), chairs, coffee table, end table, console table (another floor sample), and bed. Their South location is at 1300 W Oltorf Street, 78704, which I’m assuming is just as awesome.

And they’re having an end of year sale through Friday, so everything is even cheaper than normal, if you need anything right now.

Want a recycling bin in Austin? Call your utilities company, where they’ll transfer you to solid waste. They will then tell you to take your utility bill to the fire station closest to your house, and they’ll give you a shiny new bin.

Oh, and Jack gets credit for the title of this post, as his response when I told him was, “what is this, HeroQuest?”

I’m bad at remembering names. Really bad. Terrible, actually. The only time I ever managed to memorize a substantial group of names in a couple of hours was when I taught CTY courses (I highly recommend this if you’re looking for a fun, well-paying summer job - you’ll meet tons of great people). I had twenty kids in my class and was going to be teaching them for three weeks, after which I would have to write a detailed evaluation on each one, so I had to get to know them quickly. Of course, I got them after they’d already spent a day in the dorms, so they hated the icebreaker games we did to learn names, but they were the key to me being able to call them by name before lunch.

So now, I’m on this football team. Last night, Caroline and I went and ate pitas at our fundraiser (well, I ate a Pita, but Caroline promised to donate a buck). Now, I’ve been to tryouts and one non-mandatory practice, neither of which had more than twenty-five members of the team present, and we never exactly went around the circle and said our names. So when I walked up to them and said hi, poor Caroline was stuck waiting for me to introduce her, which I had no intention of doing since I knew, well, about two names in the group of ten. I suppose I could have just said her name, and let everyone introduce themselves, thus being able to actaully hear their names and spare Caroline a few uncomfortable minutes (sorry about that, C). But did I mention that it was the end of the day? And I was tired.

I seem to publish in spurts. Which I guess is okay, if you don’t mind clicking repeatedly for a week and getting nothing, followed by 47 new entires the next day. Thanks to those people who are still reading in spite of the sporadic-ness.

Tomorrow (Thursday), go to Pita Pit at 23rd & Guadalupe between 3pm and 8pm. Buy a pita. Say you’re with the Outlaws. The Outlaws get a buck.

It’s that easy.

And hey, while you’re at it, you might as well buy a tshirt or a koozie, and meet some of the team.

See you there!

Oh, and you and you both rock.

As predicted here ten months ago, Parcells has decided not to return to the coach the Cowboys next year.

Everybody say it with me:

“Finally!”

We might now be able to fully realize the team’s potential.

So who is going to be the seventh coach of America’s team? While Parcells could have made this decision earlier to allow the team to have a larger pool to choose from, I think there are plenty of great choices left. And terrible ones.

So here are my picks:

Two Thumbs Up:

Mike Singletary

This is hands-down my pick. He’s a Texas boy, a Hall of Famer, and although he only has four years of experience, the NFL needs fresh ideas from the up and coming crop of young coaches, and he’s one of the best. He has never been a coordinator, but the Cowboys need a Coach, not a defensive or offensive specialist, in that spot. They need to make good personnel decisions and be good with the fickle Dallas media. I think he’d stand up to Jerry, which is definitely critical - in fact, a combination coach/GM would be great, anything to get Jerry out of that role.

Possibilities, But I’m Not Sold:

Wade Phillips

Okay, so the Charger’s defensive coordinator is good. And he’s from Texas. But he’s defensive-minded, which means quite a bit would rest in the hands our offensive coordinator, and we’ve been talking to Jason Garrett (yes, that Jason Garrett, Troy’s backup during the Super Bowl years), who has never called a play. So the jury’s out until that decision is made. (In my opinion, we should get a coach, then a coordinator, but what do I know?)

Jim Bates

The Broncos assistant head coach is also defensive-minded. He’s been around for a long time, but has never been given the reigns, although he almost got the Packers job last year. Now might be his time.

Bob Stoops

This is my mom’s pick. Interesting, considering she’s an OU fan - maybe she’s ready for new blood there too? And hey, we’ve has success in the past with ex-OU coaches, although I think I could have coached the Cowboys to a Super Bowl win in 1995. But once again, it’s having a new face in the NFL, rather than recycling the same ten names.

Say It Ain’t So:

Steve Mariucci

No. Just no. He’s had his chances. He should be demoted to quarterback coach, as his one success was developing Brett Favre. Plus, he can’t do much damage there.

Dennis Green

He was fired by the Cardinals, in my opinion, without really being given a chance. Yes, they were 6-10 and 5-11, but really, he didn’t have that much to work with. And they did gel towards the end of the season. I would have let him finish his contract. But to me, he hasn’t done enough to warrant another opportunity in Dallas.
The one thing that worries me is that Jerry might even convince him to coach T.O., since he’s already dealt with the headaches caused by Randy Moss and Edgerrin James. Or he might decide he’s had enough of problem players and stay far, far away.