Thinking on my way home.

I wondered how much more fast food is Colorado and Washington selling now?

Well, in my pursuit of this answer, I came upon an article from USA Today last year about Colorado and the impact that legalizing marajuana had on the state. The article said that the state was developing a testing and monitoring system for edibles infused with THC. Can you imagine the number applicants for this gig? How about the application? Maybe one of the few times in history were actually putting "smoking marajuana" on the hobbies section is a good thing? How does the drug test work? You can only test positive for weed? 

Well, I haven't found the answer to my original question, but when I do, you'll read it here.

How much house will Stoops really clean?

Well, as a lifelong Oklahoma fan, to hear that it could be a "historic" cleaning of the house of assistant coaches makes me curious. Curious and anxious after what was a disappointing finish to this season.

I was never convinced that we were going to be Big 12 champs with Baylor still returning a chunk of players, but I didn't expect 8-5 either.

I do believe Josh Huepel has got to go, at least back to QB coach. Too much trying to force a passing game when had we continued running the ball more, we'd have maybe won a couple more of those games. 

I would be willing to give DC Mike Stoops  another year but looking like he's out too which now that I think about him being defensive backs coach, it's time for him too.

Something can be said for changing up assistants more frequently. It could be a sign that you're winning. I read an article last year that Nick Saban's average assistant lasts 3 years. 

I guess time will tell at 11am CST but I know 

RIP Stuart Scott

Today, as many of you may know, long time ESPN SportsCenter host, Stuart Scott passed away at the age of 49 after a batter with cancer. 

The following quote was from his acceptance speech after receiving the Jimmy V award last month:

"When you die, that does not mean that you lose to cancer. You beat cancer by how you live, why you live, and the manner in which you live," he said. "So live. Live. Fight like hell. And when you get too tired to fight, lay down and rest and let somebody else fight for you."

This has had the most profound impact on me today but I want to change it a little. Forget living that way just if you have cancer, live and fight that at for all of your life. I truly believe that we spend too much time daydreaming or being timid when we should live. 

RIP Stuart, there's nothing I could say any better that hasn't been said already. You gave it all you had I hope I can live my life the same way.

One of my favorite BBQ joints

So you will learn I am a BBQ conisseuer so you will see plenty of entries. Today, we hit one of my favorites BurnCo in Tulsa. These guys are only open Tuesday through Saturday and when the food is gone, they are done! 

They used to work for a company called Hasty Bake which makes grills and smokers and then decided to open a Q joint and it has been a hit ever since, in fact they just moved into a bigger building this past year and still have lines around the building as you'll see in the pic. 

I'm a huge fan of the ribs and their other specialty is The Fatty. It is a sausage with chopped beef and a small amount of spicy sausage wrapped around it into a log. Then they weave BACON around it and smoke it. It doesn't suck. They do some interesting sides including a smoked mac and cheese with bacon and a grilled potato salad. 

What's a great part of the place is the atmosphere. They open the door and say "Welcome to Paradise." You can tell they are having a lot of fun. If you are ever in Tulsa, go check it out. 

My group

I wasn't going to try and use my Blog to do this, but I realized I would be doing them a disservice by not fighting for them in anyway possible. This is my high school band. I teach in a VERY rural high school, like in a cow pasture, literally. When I got there 6 years ago there was 8 kids in the entire program and now there is almost 50 from 6-12. 

We are not funded very well at all. My salary(with the lowest extra duty stipend I've ever had) and music are what is funded. Equipment, fees, & repairs are what we have to fundraiser for. I drive the bus so we don't have to pay for a driver. 

2 years ago, this little group qualified for the state contest for the first time school history. Last year we started a marching program and this past fall earned a Superior rating at the regional marching contest, which is the highest award a marching band can get from our state acticities association. Also, we've had 10 kids offered scholarships since I've been here. We have to take the students to a community college to practice on a marimba and timpani for auditions.

As you can tell, this group works hard and does the most with what they have. I've had Board members say they want the kids in uniform to look more professional but yet aren't contributing(outside of the one who is a band parent.) 

If you or anyone you know want to contribute to helping a school get what they need for a full experience quality music education, please donate or forward to someone who would.

Thanks

www.gofundme.com/hu7rdw

Who's the bigger jerk?

So right now, there is a debate in who is the biggest jerk, the FSU team members who walked off field without shaking Oregon's hands or Jim Rome with his calling the college band kids "dorks." 

I'll be honest, I'm a little biased. If you read my bio, you'll find out I'm a high school band director.  On the other hand, not showing sportsmanship is a HUGE pet peeve of mine.

I lean towards FSU, Jimbo Fisher and his staff's job is to not only teach and coach football, but the lessons which from the sport which can be applied in life, which includes losing gracefully. 

Jim Rome only had his family, and as the song says. "Momma tried." Plus, we all know that Rome is a jerk and an idiot.

That's my thoughts.

First mistake of 2015

So I've already screwed up and it hasn't even been 13 hours in yet. Normally, we have a standing New Year's Day event with my wife's Dad's side of the family, however this year, it was moved to a later date. That being the case, we didn't think about lunch and slept in way past breakfast. In our little town, we have just a handful of places to eat and considering we were sick of Sonic and pizza, we opted for Subway. (Note, I'm going back to Paleo tomorrow. I did great for 6 weeks and let stress and the holidays get me. That's a 2014 mistake I'll learn from.) I was still in my"pjs," a long sleeve t-shirt and cotton shorts, so I didn't want to have to go in. I get on Subway's website and check out their specials. No prices, but I get that. I decide to try the Big Pastrami whatever. 

So I call to order so I can use the pick up window. My wife got a six dollar combo and included baked BBQ chips, I got a foot long pastrami, and we got 3 cookies. The lady taking my order repeated it back but didn't give me a total and hung up before I could ask. I grab about $16 in cash thinking it should be plenty. I get there and it's $18.89!!! I said "come again?!" I was then told that the pastrami was almost $10!!!! I can get one at a chain deli for less. So I had to run back and grab 3 more dollars. I get back, about 5 minutes later, the woman gives me the total and doesn't say sorry, thank you, kiss my butt or anything. 

I get home and find I got regular BBQ chips and a sandwich that isn't even close to being worth $10. On top of that, I said light lettuce on my wife's sandwich and there was more lettuce than anything. 

I normally try to hit non chain places when I can but I expect to have decent customer service and for them to get my order right. 

Subway, you're overcharging for an inferior product and wasn't enough of it on there to validate the price of it either. I suggest you find a way to look up price by zip code and if you are going to charge that price, it better not suck and it did today. 

Roast is already in the crock pot for dinner.