Rock The Vote

This election has more buzz than previous elections for obvious reasons - the economic downturn, war, and a young and enthusiastic African American candidate running against what reminds me of Mr. Burns from the Simpsons, and his trophy assistant. I'm not usually going to intervene on a political conversation, but this year has sparked a debate that I have an interest in sharing my opinion. Why I took the time to appear at a Rock the Vote concert (not to mention it was conveniently located on campus, was free, and had Jack Johnson playing). It is interesting that Rock the Vote's mission is to get young people to make sure they vote. Yet, it was more of a traveling music campaign for Obama, just without saying it. References were made that it is time for change, no more war, and Bush has screwed things up.

I did not notice any McCain buttons or Halloween costumes in attendance. I did notice some enthusiastic and opinionated college students yell, "cut the bullshit." Not sure if they were referencing our current economic situation or were ready to hear some "Banana Pancakes," but I'm going to give these VCU educated some credit and assume it was intended as a pun.    

Outside Football in MN

You will not find the same football culture in Minnesota as you would in the state of Texas or even nearby rivals in Green Bay. It would not take Ron Jaworski or John Madden to explain why this is. It is not because we have less passionate fans, even though there might be some high school games in Texas that draw a larger attendance then some Gophers games, but it is because of the bare concrete bubble that our Minnesota teams play in. Yes, I am talking about the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. The white covered 195-foot loud speaker that keeps the Homer Hankies, drunk college students, and faded Randy Moss jerseys dry and warm. A stadium that shares all kinds of memories for me - from a boy who watched Kirby Puckett hit a home run to win game 6 of the World Series, to leaving hung over after watching the "Gophs" blow a 21-point lead to the Wolverines in the fourth quarter. 

Still, I would will not shed a tear to watch the Metrodome fall faster than the Vikings did against the Falcons in the NFC Championship game. Green Bay has a unique culture surrounding the "frozen tundra" at Lambau Field. They celebrate the historic symbolism that the stadium stands for by tailgating and cooking brats when it is twenty below zero outside. Rather, Vikes fans push and claw their way into Huberts (the only bar around the Metrodome!) for a beer before the game. 

Minnesota fans are now taking a big sigh of relief as the Twins are building a new outdoor stadium as is Gophers football (picture above is the construction of the new Gophers stadium). When taking the picture above I thought it resembled a new beginning for Gophers football as it comes back to campus. Providing students, fans, and players with the atmosphere and culture that should surround the game. Hopefully, it will also help keep in-state recruits.   

Him and His Bull

Four of my classmates and I went to a rodeo at the Virginia State Fair to learn more about the culture of bull riding. First having to stop by the corn dog stand, just in time to let the ketchup dispenser throw up all over my tan shorts and shoes. After watching some barrel racing and calves getting whip lashed by a good roping, we finally saw what we came for. Man on bull -entertaining because it is so outlandish. One of the cowboys maybe be smarter than the others or had mistaken the dirt and smell of manure for a ice rink, but whatever the truth was, he wore a hockey helmet rather than a cowboy hat. After the rodeo we went "backstage," we met with bull rider Dan Welsh. A BMX bike rider as a kid looking for a higher adrenaline rush when he was in college. He told us everything from getting stepped on and walking away without a bruise to how a he caravans across the country with other riders like a rock band - just a little less glamorous.