Somebody get Jerry on the phone.... I'm gonna need a telethon.

Tonight was the Texas A & M vs. Baylor University basketball game. I know it does not sound like much to most - since trust me, twelve hours ago it did not sound like that much to me either. It was really important to John that we go so I decided it would be fun. We never get to enjoy our season tickets and this was a great family outing. John loves Aggie basketball and we got to see our new leader, Coach Turgeon in action! So you get the visual: A road trip with two generations of Pollocks (Momma JoJo and me) and an Aggie (engineer) and strapped in her car seat, the product of both these components! As my girlfriend Ryland calls it "Chic Despite"




Late this afternoon, we were off, jetting an hour and a half North to Reed Arena in College Station. This was Sinclair's first real Aggie experience. There were 13,000 screaming fans, Yell Leaders, the Band performing at 100 decibels above loss of hearing. Sinclair's little baby blues were wide with excitement from the moment she her the thumping of the music. The tubas were keep pace with her little heart.



We made our way down to the floor -- gave all our congenial hugs to others in "the cult" -- this included 12th Man Board members, Regents, fellow coaches and even the First Lady of Texas, Anita Perry and her daughter Sidney - these two were right next to our four floor seats.



The dance team stood erect with their pom poms staged directly in front of us --- too close NOT to touch, but we restrained. Sinclair finally could not stand it any longer and just HAD to have a handful of sequins in her little paw. When everyone was fussing over how "good she was" and how "well behaved" -- then she saw it and froze. Her eyes truly expanded to over half her face...hanging over the court was the biggest TV this little one had ever seen. This is also known as a "jumbotron" It was not long before her little face would light up and she would point and squeal "TeeeeVeeeeee" In the meantime, the ball almost whacked up three times and the players sweat can glisten before our eyes -- these are really good seats if you like that "I felt like I can suit up with the team" ambiance.




We brought enough books, dolls, snacks in case Sinclair would need anything other than halftime entertainment to get her through this. With almost five minutes to go till halftime and Aggies were behind but holding their own. John said "I will catch so much grief from my Baylor friends if the Aggies lose this game" When he was telling me this I looked up, the same time Sinclair did and he was holding Sinclair's dolls and books and I informed him "you are on TV snuggling an Elmo doll holding Princess books...I am sure basketball is not what they will give you grief for"



John, JoJo and I were very surprised she made it until the last quarter. I leaned over and told John that we were going to go back to the car and I would see him in 10 minutes. I wanted to miss the crowd. By the time I left it was what anyone would call a "tight game" but I felt confidant it was a "slam dunk." How sadly mistaken I was. John finally came out a few moments later, after he sent us a text saying "Ags are up - its close - we got the ball" Keep in mind at this point its 8:40 PM and already wayyyyy past Sinclair's bedtime and approaching on mine. We had sippy cups, snack and Direct TV in my wagon going, so we could have enjoyed ourselves a while, but we never could have outstayed this game. As we flip on the radio the game slips into Overtime. Both teams still managed to tie up the score which brings us to another OT. Same scenario. We listen to this pattern a total of FIVE TIMES!! This is a new Conference record! By the time we were pulling in our drive over an hour and a half later the game was just ending! Unfortunately, we succumbed to Baylor in a final score of 110-105.




On the drive home, Sinclair slipped in and out of "power naps" which only recharge the battery of an 18 month old. I knew she was not going down without a fight.





Is this the look of a little face that has any intention of going to sleep??


Her schedule is so thrown off from this game tonight and being around the music, people and cheers -- it is now almost midnight and after four failed attempts at "night-night" she is now hydroplaning off the furniture. We may as well have mainlined her with crack. It was our "Unfitney" moment.




Let's just say Momma maybe a Pollock and Daddy maybe an Aggie but we will NOT be making that mistake again anytime soon.

Lone Star Shootout

Friday morning (turkey not yet digested) we were up at the crack of dawn (everyone dressed in the prerequisite maroon)....as far as college football goes this is the biggest weekend of the season all the biggest state rivals play one another (Texas A & M vs TU, Alabama vs Auburn, OU vs Oklahoma State, MSU vs Ole Miss - you get the picture) -- this was going to be a sad day no matter how the outcome....we knew it our hearts it was going to be Coach Fran's last game coaching for the Aggies. Change is always discombobulating for either party. John and I had become pretty good friends of Coach Fran and Kim....its sad to know they are leaving. Like many that know their field of strengths he too, will land on his feet.I took two of my girlfriends that had never been to an Aggie game at Kyle Field. One of my friends, Shanae is about as big of a UT fan as they come. She went to Texas on a track scholarship (who knew that skinny white girl could run so fast) John had a ball showing her around -- they watched the band march in, went on the field and got the full tour. John and Shanae talked trash the whole way to the game - they were very funny! Amanda, on the other hand was content with me in our toasty suite on the 40 yard line. I brought my telephoto lens and shot these of the band, Reveille, the core and the boys in maroon and white making their last visit on the field this season. My dear friend Estela went to aTm as well -- she was in the Bahamas for Turkey Day (floating around on her in-laws burnt orange mega-yacht) but her fabulous parents got to join me. They were so precious and biting their nails during the entire game!! Mr S was so patient explaining all the detailed plays to Sylvia and I! I think that was the engineer traits in him!





Estela's precious parents...

aTm All-American and NFL Hall of Famer, Jacob Green popped in and out during the game -- when we were up 17 to 0 (Texas was favored by 9) Jacob came by and did the "we are taking this puppy to the house" groove!

Texas A & M and SEC coaching legend, Jackie Sherrill stopped by to share a victory hug too!! Total sweetheart!

Oh the thrill of victory and the agony of defeat! Shanae was deflated the entire trip back to Houston! When she got back to our house she sent out this blanket email to all her friends describing the day....pretty funny!

From: Shanae

Sent: Saturday, November 24, 2007 10:13 AM
Subject: If I can

Before i recap the events that took place yesterday, i would like to preface this e mail by stating ONCE again with regard to Texas football the following: THEY SUCK!!

I got up at 5 am yesterday, and began seeing the Eyes Of Texas quietly to myself. My orange and white tabby kitten chimed in. (he likes to harmonize) Seeing a theme here? I live for one purpose, my heart beats for ONE purpose.....Texas football.

I looked at my UT watch and thought i have plenty of time to catch my 7 30 flight to Houston, so i went upstairs, admired my beautifully framed UT diploma, then sat on my burnt orange couch (insert theme here) and watched some ESPN. After they made their very LOGICAL prediction that Texas would hand the Aggies their a$$es to them. I smiled, laughed, skipped out the door anticipating giving a rash of S*&%*&^t to my sister's Aggie boss the WHOLE way to AND from College Station.

I didn't realize how long it would take me to get to the airport and believe me it makes a HUGE difference when someone drops you as opposed to parking yourself. (ya try finding a parking spot at an airport the day after Christmas.) I hope the EXXON i parked at in EL PASO, TX didn't tow my car.
I have now put Carl Lewis to shame while carrying a two ton purse and LV bag full of clothes. I get to check in (Texas fight, Texas fight and beat up on A & M singing to tune of Texas fight song in back of my head) I know realize it is 7 10 and desperation has fully set in. At the top of lungs, I beg, "People, life as i know it will end if i miss this plane, can I PLEASE butt in front of all you." Clearly a sympathetic group, they let me in front of them. (nice actually cuz i've let people butt in front of me before)

So i've boarded the plane. Half the people on it were wearing burnt orange. High fives all around. Everyone yelling HOOK EM, GET YOUR HORNS UP, etc etc etc. I'm still happy at this point.

I'll cut to the chase. I arrive at "Mista S" and KK's house (their personal driver brought me there ....i so love that they roll like that) and this FOOL, who happens to be my sister's boss, has the AGGIE fight song playing all over Chez Chaos. I thought i was bad humming the EYES OF TEXAS quietly to myself. Oh no, he was actually playing their fight song. Too funny! So we loaded up. Poor Mista' S is heading to a football game with two totally over the top girly girls and at least one (me) half female. (at least all three of us were all hot. I'm sure envy and sorrow ran through every man's mind. I mean it's cool to be with two hot women and one hot half woman, but still at a football game? kudos to "Mista S"- most men aren't this brave) I talked smack ALL the way to Bryan, because clearly I don't own a crystal ball.

Aggie campus is very bizarre to me. Out of nowhere pops up this HUGE campus. I was very impressed as in case you haven't noticed, I've ever been there. "Mista S" took me to see the Aggies march in. I got the whole damn tour. This is just insanity!!!!!! All these very serious people are marching down the street. It was so cool and really admirable. (maybe UT could find half that kind of pride we might WIN when we play them!)

OK - only one person offended me yesterday which for me is pretty good. I did have one Aggie fan yell "you suck" in my face. Not cool and unnecessary. Overall though I gave A and M and fans an A+

I couldn't believe how huge the stadium was! I had it in my head A & M was little....NOT! A+ for stadium. I have ever attending a college game in another stadium. What a experience!

So like 4 minutes into the game i see how this is going down. For second year in a row, i will be eating Longhorn crow! ...Apparently i found my crystal ball in my purse, because i could now predict the future.

OK - so here's the most painful experience in life. I'm sitting in Aggie stadium, with a bigshot Aggie, having to admit the Aggies deserved to win, and still enjoying myself. Here's my theory. If your team just goes out and sucks, they deserve to lose. And to make matters worse, I was so disgusted with Longhorns complete disregard for Aggie tenacity (as they have disregarded last two years) I stood and clapped for their fight song! When a team deserves respect, you must give it.

So now Shanae is no longer humming Texas fight song. I'm sure my cat curled up in shame (i left the game on for him at my house) "Mista S" was kind enough to keep his razing to a minimum. Then we went to the Dixie Chicken. (I am telling you I got the WHOLE Aggie experience) We didn't stay long (not a real KK kind of hangout but she took one for the team) but i wanted to full A&M tradition experience....you know, Aggie band, Dixie Chicken, and ACTUALLY WINNING!

Needless to say, I was A LOT quieter on the way home. I think that's what you call having the wind taken out of your sails.

Thanks Mista S! The game experience was awesome but the game from my perspective blew!

Completely demoralized Longhorn,
Shanae

These I snapped that night taking the dogs for a walk --- the cold front has snapped through this past weekend - Sinclair went and grabbed her Hermes blanket and was ready to do her dog duty!