When Bad Things Happen to Good Teams

Let me be honest. I would have been really happy if the Kansas Jayhawks had made history and run the table this year, marching their way to the National Championship without dropping a game. That would have been really fun. But, in my heart, I knew that wasn't likely and I was even in the camp that felt it might be okay to lose sometime during the Big 12 season just to take the undefeated pressure off. Unfortunately, I forgot to put in the exception - that loss should in no way come to the Missouri Tigers or the Kansas State Wildcats. A loss to Iowa State or Texas A&M? No big deal. Just don't fall to the hated Tigers or 'Cats.

Well, the Crimson and Blue took care of business in Columbia. Last night came the showdown in Manhatten, where the Jayhawks hadn't lost since 1983! Read that again. The Jayhawks hadn't lost on the K-State home floor in 24 seasons. No player in the game last night was alive the last time a Jayhawk team walked into Manhatten and lost. (Yes, that just makes me and you feel old. I know.) So, I had some confidence heading into last night's game. Sure, the upstart Wildcats had the best player in the country in Michael Beasley. But karma wouldn't let these guys actually win, right? I mean, the only reason Beasley came to K-State was because Huggy-bear hired the phenom's AAU coach as an assistant and the coach stayed on the staff after Huggins bolted for WVU. That kind of crap doesn't get rewarded, right? You see, that was my downfall. That kind of crap DOES get rewarded. Larry Brown hires Ed Manning as an assistant. Danny Manning picks Kansas over UNC. Kansas wins 1988 National Championship.

Last night, the basketball gods paid the Jayhawks back as the team of experienced guards looked rattled the entire game, Brandon Rush scored his first 2nd-Half points with less than four minutes left and Russell Robinson fouled out not once, but twice! That's right, the streak is over. The Jayhawks are no longer undefeated. The card board cut out known as K-State coach Frank Martin has his first "signature win". Whatever that means.

So, where do we go from here? Well, fortunately, the 'Cats still have to come to Lawrence later this season. I'm counting on redemption in that game. And I still firmly believe this Kansas team is the best team in the entire nation, despite Memphis' undefeated season. (Come on. Conference USA?) But, now they look a little more faliable then before. It's like when Lex Luthor finds out about kryptonite. The mighty can be beaten. And that's what will be harder going forward. The blueprint for failure has been officially published. Granted, no other team has Beasley. And KU doesn't have to play a road game during the tournament. But, they aren't perfect. That's what really stinks.

Tag, Sucka!

Okay, so I've taken some abuse over the past few months for my failure to get back on the blogging train. Well, consider this comeback number three - with some modifications.

First of all, I'm letting go of the "columnist" style writting. I need to accept the fact that I'm not going to be the next Sports Guy. Now, that doesn't mean that I'm not going to write about sports. I will because, frankly, I love sports! However, I am going to open up my writings to other topics as well - family, politics, religion, movies, books, you name it! Hopefully, that is good news to all of you.

Second, I'm not sending out notices when I post. Time to start checking back, just like everyone else. I always felt kind of stupid sending those out, so this is really just a change to make me feel better about me.

Finally, I'm going to try and post something a couple of times a week. Some will be long, some will be short, all will be Pulitzer worthy! (Okay, that's a little bold.)

So, I hope you enjoy - Now, for my first trick. . .

Several days ago, I was "tagged" by my brother, Joel, who is an awesome guy. Tagging is like those email surveys that go around, but cooler because it's called "tagging". It makes me feel hip and in the know. Here we go:

A. The rules are posted at the beginning.
B. Each player answers about themselves.
C. At the end of the post, the player tags 5 people, posts their names, and goes to their blogs letting them know they've been tagged. (I may break this rule. I don't know if I know of five blogs that haven't already been tagged. I'll do my best.)

5 Things I Was Doing 10 Years Ago

1. January 98 - Trying to get Leah to like me and impress her with my superior wit, charm and cooking ability. (Turns out she really doesn't like pasta.)
2. Producing KBYU news three days a week.
3. Teaching Assistant for the beginning television class. Good times, seeing people get in front of a "live" camera for the first time and try to sound coherent.
4. Living with Dave (one of my best friends for mission/college), Steve (a great guy that predicted after our first date that Leah and I would get married), Jason (interesting) and two guys that were only up at night, it seemed. One of them worked at the movie theater and could get us in for free, so that was cool.
5. Trying to win the "World News Tonight with Peter Jennings" internship.

5 Things on My To-Do List Today

1. Conference Call with account manager trying to give away about $200K worth of equipment and maintenance. Not a good idea.
2. Finalize all E-Rate pricing.
3. Call Brother Furnell
4. Start calling Sacrament Meeting speakers for February.
5. Take down the swing set (weather permiting).

5 Snacks I Enjoy

1. Ice cream (upsets my stomach)
2. Cereal and Milk (upsets my stomcah)
3. Chocolate (upsets my stomach)
4. Cheetos (jury is still out)
5. Pizza (Papa Murphy's, please)

5 Things I'd Do If I Were a Billionaire

1. Buy a beautiful house in San Diego with all the things Leah and I have always wanted in a home.
2. Pay off all debt for me and Leah, all our siblings and our parents.
3. Put enough money away for Kate, Emma and Ryne that they never have to worry.
4. Travel in my own private jet - no more waiting in airport terminals.
5. Alternate between Leah's family and my family hosting Christmas in various fabulous locations (Hawaii, New York City, London, Paris, etc.)

3 Bad Habits

1. I'm a bit OCD when it comes to scheduling things and sticking to the schedule. When I go out, I like to map out my route (in my head, not on mapquest) and, as Leah can attest, I get a bit bothered when we change up on the fly.
2. I'm a teaser. My kids definately get it from me.
3. I just love too much! Okay, just kidding. I am, in my heart, extremely lazy. Given the opportunity, I would spend my Saturday sitting on the couch watching sports. Leah and kids make me get up and moving and I'm a better person for it, but I secretly still want to be sitting back and cheering the Jayhawks!

5 Jobs I've Had

1. Paper Boy
2. Carpet Cleaner
3. Waiter in a theater in a barn in the wilderness of Northeastern Kansas.
4. TV News Producer
5. Tariff Analyst

5 Things People Probably Don't Know About Me

1. I've lost about 35 pounds in the last six months.
2. I believe my actions effect the outcome of specific sporting events involving the Kansas Jayhawks, the Kansas City Chiefs and the Kansas City Royals. If I find a spot on the couch and my team is winning, I don't move. If I do move and they lose, I blame myself.
3. I have a man-crush on Danny Manning. Every time I see him on TV, I get excited.
4. Thanks to Joel and Amelia, I loved the show "Veronica Mars" and was really upset when it got cancelled last year.
5. I love 80s power ballads - Def Leppard, Whitesnake, REO Speedwagon. They are awesome.

Okay, so there you go! I'm tagging Sarah, Christy and Andy. Everyone else's blog has already done this!