IT WAS THIS WAY

IT WAS THIS WAY---
(First written February 18, 2010)

There comes a time when we have to recognize our limitations, be it from physical or mental abilities or more commonly, aging.  My colorful old Daddy once said, "By God, there are some things in this life you just can't do".  This, only in his fifties, when he and Mother had tried to learn to water ski.  Daddy had to be heaved back into the boat with a great amount of grunting, groaning and moaning.  And that was us, the ones trying to get him back in the boat!  Neither he nor Mother could ever get up on the skis although Mother tried until she cried the next day from being so sore.

I first went snow skiing in my early 40's.  For several years, I went once a year and could shush with the best of them.  For the last 10 years, I have gone with my son and family, including my great granddaughter, Kaci-Marie.  I had made it my goal to go until I could ski FREE which is at 69 years old.  The last two years, I have skied FREE.  There is a reason they allow 69 year olds to ski free.  It's because not too many wise old folks subject themselves to the high altitude, the brutal physical challenge and the sheer total exhaustion at the end of the day.  I'm not one of those wise old people because I enjoyed it so much, I could't resist the punishment.  Some say, "too soon old, too late wise".  That would be me.  So, it is with a bit of regret, disappointment (not in my abilities, but my age) that I have to hang up my ski boots.  I totally understand Brett Farve's desire to continue doing something he loves even though in the football world, he is considered too old.  In the ski world, I am considered old.  I am leaving on a high note.  I skied down the mountain several times, can still do it and still love it. 

BCS BOWL GAME 2012 FROM AN OKLAHOMA STATE FAN

In the words of Rodney Dangerfield, "We don't get no respect" referring to Oklahoma State University Cowboys.  Why! would the BCS pick two teams from the same conference to play in the Championship Bowl when they had both already played each other.  Granted, this time, Alabama was the clear winner but I've always said, "When it goes bad, it just goes bad".  It usually happens to every team at least once a year.  Refer to previous LSU/ALABAMA game.  That is what happened to LSU last night.  Not that we OSU fans are huge fans of Les Miles!  Last night's game was actually  a win/win situation for us.  Had LSU won, many would wonder, "Could OSU have beaten them?"  Since Alabama won, WHO IS THE CHAMPION?  Several teams now have the exact same records, including the Cowboys.  Who, in the BCS, are now wondering if OSU would have been a better opponent for Alabama or for LSU?  IF OSU had annihilated Stanford (and that didn't happen), clearly, we should have wound up as co champions.  Since LSU lost so pitifully, why is OSU not in 2nd place.  Why not have a playoff similar to the NFL playoffs that leave absolutely no doubt WHO THE CHAMPIONS ARE!   Should Alabama and LSU have a playoff game since they are both one and one against each other?  Could OSU have defeated either team?  Maybe.  Maybe not.  We will never know.  I'm sure the sports ranking experts know more than I do.  Perhaps the best two teams played.  Then again, maybe not.   BCS conundrum.  When will they get it right?