Blog #165: CHAMPIONS

THE BEARCATS ARE NATIONAL CHAMPIONS AND IF YOU READ NOTHING ELSE IN THIS LONGER THAN USUAL BLOG YOU WILL HAVE READ THAT. 

Today I remembered a couple of things. I remembered why I love football so much. I remembered why I am so proud to be a Bearcat and why Bearcats are special. I remembered how healing an evening gathered with family can be. And I remembered that I am completely terrified to drive in any sort of winter weather.

I never really forgot that I loved football. More like I just took it for granted. Duh, Marissa loves football. No one is surprised. But watching the Bearcats WIN the championship game today was just a reminder of the combination of emotion, skill, and control that football is. 

I guess it's also no surprise that I'm a proud Bearcat. This is not news to anyone. And if it is then I probably need to have a conversation with you about your  comprehension and retention skills. But you tell me what other school can inspire friendships to develop simply because of the commonality of school. I went to a watch party on my own (because my date was my stepdad and he ended up working all night and not being up for a bar watch party) and I was a little frustrated about it. I had visions of sitting by myself like a loser moping. I briefly considered throwing in the towel on the watch party and just going to watch the game at my brother's house. But I went in anyhow. Within an hour I had a spot at a table with new friends. We visited, cheered, high fived, and left having exchanged numbers for future hanging out possibilities. I just believe that being a Bearcat really means being part of a family more so than other college. I don't know anyone else who identifies so strongly with their undergrad alma mater (except for other Bearcats - we stick together.) Sure, the fact that our football team has had a long run of success is probably helpful - but I can't help but believe that there's some kind of magic in being a Bearcat unrelated to sports that creates a bond in those who attended that's stronger than most. It's special for me to be a part of that and I'm so thankful that the choice I made on a bit of a whim as a 17 year old high school senior turned out to be one of the best choices I've ever made. AND WE ARE CHAMPIONS.

Following the BEARCAT VICTORY (sorry, all caps was necessary), I headed up to Smithville for one of my 3 Christmas gatherings this weekend (out of 4 total). I have been really struggling to be into Christmas this year for a number of reasons (I like to refer to it as "the perfect storm" of crap that could have gone down over the last few months). I've been basically forcing myself to feel the spirit of the season by watching every possible Christmas special, listening to Christmas music (on days when I wasn't too frustrated to stomach it) and participate in Christmas festivities. This struggle to "feel" Christmas was a bummer for me because I really love Christmas. I love the whole season from November 1 through the end of the year for all the family and festivities and feeling of gratitude and goodwill. And this year it's been more like I've been going through the motions. Like I've spent every last ounce of energy that I have on just existing and I don't have the resources to enjoy extra things. So, I was expecting that feeling to continue throughout the gathering. But, as soon as I got there, it was like a wake up call. Seeing the kids being adorable kids and the thoughtful gifts given and the conversation being had - it was so nice. It was like a feeling of warmth to just kind of remind me why this time of year is typically a happy one for me. It was a reminder that frustrating times are just that - times - and that they pass because that's what time does.

After the gathering it was time to head home - in the ice storm. I have a storied history with driving in winter weather that does include one totaled car as a direct result of the conditions. This storied history has lead to me being less than confident a winter driver. You might say I'm a bit timid behind the wheel as soon as the advisory starts. I'd kind of forgotten that because the advisories we've had so far have been lame and useless and the roads were fine - leaving me to think that I'm more confident of an inclement weather driver than I really am. But, don't worry, today I got my comeuppance. I got in the car to drive home in the pitch black dark as ice pretty much rained from the sky and solidified upon contact to whatever it landed on. I think I averaged 20mph over the whole drive. What is typically a 25 minute drive took me nearly an hour and by the time I got to park I was so exhausted and tense that I thought I might just sleep there. I mean, I made it without incident (likely thanks to the salt truck I refused to pass that graced me with it's presence for a little over half the drive) but I certainly wasn't comfortable. Then I got out of the car and promptly slipped and caught myself just before totally face planting it. So, to confirm, winter and I? Not friends.

This got more introspective than I really intended but let's roll with it. I just need the Chiefs to win tomorrow and to hone my Bunko skills and the weekend will be a complete success.

Until next time, Internet.