Pam and I went to OU last weekend for homecoming, something we have been doing on a regular basis for many years. Generally it is such a beautiful drive through the hills, but even more so at this time of year. This trip was kind of interesting in several ways, so let me get into them for you.
First item: just as we got past Logan and were wondering what, if any, progress had been made on the Nelsonville by-pass, there was a little traffic detour and shazaam -- we were on it!! I first made this stretch of road a subject for a blog entry way back on Dec. 16, 2010. At that time, I wondered if there would ever be a time when we would be able to come here and not have to go through the snail's-paced section of Rte.33 that contained more traffic lights than all other lights in the whole town put together. In fact, that chamber of commerce mile contains more traffic lights than all the lights from Columbus to there put together. So seeing that the by-pass was now open was just that much more sunshine on an already beautiful day. But lo and behold, after only a mile, there was a sign that said "Expressway ends in 1/4 mile." My hopes were dashed!! Out came a yellow flag -- 15 yards for unsportsman-like conduct (intentionally tricking a motorist). In fact, the end of the detour put us back at the very beginning of the Nelsonville town limits so we still had to worm our way through to the other end of town. At that end, the road was still dirt and had no signs of even being close to being paved. So, as I worte in 2010, I may still have a shot at being in "the home" before this ever gets completed.
Second item: OU's football team is undefeated so far (7-0 and ranked #25 in the AP polls). My wife will start yelling "Way to go, Mahlon." as soon as she sees this. You see, Mahlon Rough was a sportscaster for WHIZ radio (yep, that's the real name of the radio station and it's still there) when we were growing up. It seems that Mahlon was famous for putting the old sportscaster's jinx on everything. If someone had just hit 5 freethrows in a row, old Mahlon would point out that he hadn't missed one in 5 attempts and how this was a sure thing. Sure enough, the kid would miss the next one and usually the next 5 or 6 just for good measure. If a kid had kicked 10 extra points in a row, old Mahlon would put the evil curse on him and sure enough the next one would be missed wide right or left, or go doinking off the cross-bar. So Pam would say my talking up the Bobcats is evoking the Mahlon curse. I don't think so -- they look pretty good ('course, you never know about injuries, or someone who might exchange a trinket for a tattoo!).
Third item: When we were in the stadium, basking in the sunshine and enjoying the game, a guy came up to us and said we were in their seats. I checked our tickets and sure enough we were in the wrong row -- we were sitting in row 18 and I thought we were supposed to be in row 17. No problem -- just move down a row to the two empty seats right in front of us (all through the first quarter we were saying how happy we were that those two people didn't come take these seats so we could stretch our legs a bit). Well, right after that, a lady came up and said we were in their seats. So out came the tickets again, and sure enough, we were in the wrong row. I didn't have my glasses on when I looked at the tickets when we first came in the stadium, and all I saw was "17." Well, we were supposed to be in row 38, not row 17. So up we went. I asked Pam where she wanted to move to for the second half. Now she wants me to get one of those cords you wear around your neck so I will have my glasses with me all the time. I don't think so.
I have really been impressed with the progress of OU's football and basketball programs. They have always had good programs in general, but these two in particular have focused the national spotlight on "The Harvard on the Hocking."
All in all, the day was beautiful, the Bobcats won and the seats were great. Can't ask for much more...except maybe the completion of the Nelsonville by-pass!!!
The reason women don't play football is because eleven of them would never wear the same outfit in public. (Phyllis Diller)
Hooah
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