Dancing with the Stars Athens-Style

Anything you can do, Athens can do better.  
It's not our town motto, but it should be.  It would be, too, if we weren't such modest, affable people.  As it is, we just keep our awesomeness to ourselves. Yeah, it's just how we roll.

Saturday night is a perfect example of how Athens brings it in a big way.

What does a school nurse, military man, small business owner, and an insurance agent all have in common?

They sure can dance!

Saturday night in Athens, Ohio was the annual Dancing with the Stars event to raise money for the American Red Cross.

Much like the popular television show, local celebrities compete for votes.  They practice, practice, practice their dancing skills with the help of professional dancers for the hope of being crowned victorious.  It's all in the name of charity.

Several hundred people gathered on Saturday night to cheer on the dancers, support a good cause, and be entertained.

Oh, the moves!

Who knew the guy who makes my delicious sandwiches at Brenen's Coffee Cafe could shake his thang??  The local insurance agent is no clown when it comes to his dance moves.  My children's school nurse has an ass any 21 year old would covet, and a retired army officer can dance with or without his beautiful wife by his side.  On top of all that, yellow suspenders have never looked better, and the ladies who were there know exactly what I'm talking about!

The talent of these regular joes turned dance aficionados was amazing. Kudos to them for donating their time and talent in an effort to raise money for the American Red Cross.

The Masters of Ceremonies kept the audience engaged, and the performances moved along flawlessly.  The female MC really rocked it in a gold dress.  In my next life, I'm going to ask for her figure. And the ability to walk in heels let alone dance in them, but I digress....

Best of all, of course, was the opportunity to donate to a great cause while spending  quality time with two of the most hilarious ladies I know.  I mean, really,  it feels so great to laugh oneself to tears. Sure, one of them was a little gassy, but that's what happens when you eat a lot of cheese at dinner. No judgment.

Kudos to everyone involved in organizing and pulling off the event.  It was an amazing evening!

At the end of the night, the true winner is the American Red Cross.  They deserve not only our financial support, but our blood, too.

You can't see me blessedly, but I'm doing a little happy jig as I write this.

Happy Birthday, Ohio University!

(No lip-syncing...)
Happy Birthday to you.  Happy Birthday to you.  Happy birthday, dear OU--whoo... Happy birthday to you!

On February 18, 1804, the General Assembly of Ohio passed an act to establish "an university in the town of Athens."

This makes Ohio University the best and oldest university in Ohio.  In fact, it is also the best and oldest university in the Northwest Territory.  In truth, it remains the best university in the entire nation even though there are several older institutions.

Am I biased?
No.  Why ever would you even think so?

Why is Ohio University the best university in the free world?

Just ask any alumnus of Ohio University.  Any proud Bobcat can rattle off a zillion reasons why O.U. is excellent.

Here are my top 5 reasons why OU is the best university:

5.  The gorgeous scenery. Beautiful brick buildings sit along the Hocking River surrounded by lovely rolling hills.  Southeastern Ohio is a beautiful part of the state and a beautiful area of our country. Of course, it would be home to a beautiful university!

4.  My Bobcat friends.  OU buddies are the best! They are HILLARIOUS (even when sober), smart, and compassionate. They're easy on the eyes, too.  You do know Matt Lauer attended OU, right?  Did you know he touched my arm once in The Crystal on Court Street near campus?  It's true!  Yeah, it was awesomeness.

3.  That hard to describe Bobcat spirit. Basically, it's best illustrated by:

• Watching the alumni band during their annual homecoming halftime show.
• O...H...I...O.  That cheer NEVER gets old.
• Going to "after hour" parties when the bars close at 2 A.M. because there's still plenty of partying to do before dawn.
• Ohio University's win against University of Michigan during their 2012 March Madness run.
• Arriving as a homesick freshman and then hoping you can't finish in four years because 5th year seniors have even more fun!

2.  Ohio University is home. Many of us arrive as 18 year olds from far off places. We are young, naive, and ready to have fun learn.  We have so much fun learning, we never leave. We go from being Ohio University students to becoming townies.  The Athens community is a great place to take root.  Want to explore the Athens area more?  Check this out:  Athens, Ohio

1.  And the number one reason Ohio University is the best?  We aren't Ohio State University.
Not even close!  Please don't confuse the two universities. That happens to be the number one way to honk off an Ohio University Bobcat.

Ohio University, you sure make 209 years old look good!

If only we could take OU uptown and buy him a pint (or two) at The Pub!
OU, Oh Yeah!

Hook a Left, Alumni Band!

Pssst.  Know any Ohio University Alumni Band Members?
If so, can you forward this to them?  I would be most appreciative.
Ohio University's Homecoming is October 13th, and everyone is getting excited!


Hey, Alumni Band!
Let's cut to the chase. You are in the top 5 best things about Ohio University's homecoming.

Here is my scientifically researched Top Five List.
As a psychology and English major, by "scientifically researched" I mean "my own opinion." Since I am a Bobcat, I am certain all of my fellow Bobcats will agree with my "research."

Top 5 Best Things About OU's Homecoming:

#5.  Drinking beer with friends you haven't seen in forever.

#4.  Watching the homecoming parade while drinking beer with friends you haven't seen in forever.

#3.  Hanging out before the game at Tailgate Park while drinking beer with friends you haven't seen in forever.

#2.  Going late to the game because you're drinking beer with friends you haven't seen in forever, and you know you can miss part of the first half of the game as long as you don't miss halftime.

#1.  Watching the Alumni Band perform during the parade, at Tailgate Park, and at the football game all while drinking beer with friends you haven't seen in forever.

Can't wait to do these 5 things again this October!

We'll line up along Court Street to await the parade....

What?

Are you kidding me?

Ohio University has changed the parade route?
Errrrrr....

So the current plan is to start the parade down at the bottom of a steep hill.
Basically think of it as the bowels of Ohio University.  It's a lovely spot if you're into bowels.

My hubby once rented an apartment in that same bowel area when he was an O.U. student. It's since been destroyed because it was so heinous. Even by bachelor, fraternity boy standards it was heinous. Great place to start a parade.

The route will require parade participants to walk up hill on a winding street.  I'm going out on a limb here, but that hill is pretty darn steep for 21 year olds carrying book-bags. I'm wondering how older mature alumni members will feel carrying their tubas and drums up that hill?

Alumni Band, may I make one teeny, tiny suggestion?

When you arrive at Court Street, can you hook a left?  If only for a few blocks yards.

Yeah, you're supposed to take a right thereby hardly performing at all on your beloved Court Street.
 Yeah, OU says the route has been changed for "safety reasons."
Yeah, following the parade route would be the sensible, conservative, and obedient approach to take.

Yeah.

Um. (pause)  You don't strike me as a sensible, conservative, obedient band.  And I mean that as a compliment.

You are Rock Stars!
You want to please your fans, leave a mark on the world, and be unique.
You play that funky music while gyrating and dancing.  You know you want to play on Court Street. It's in your bones!  You've been playing on Court Street for decades.  You don't want to return to OU just to play in the bowels when you can frolic thru the main artery. You want to play Court Street.

I know you do and Bobcat Nation wants you to do so, too!

Hook a left!  Please hook a left.

And while you're at it, play that funky music!

How Sweet it is to be a Bobcat

Once upon a time, in a land tucked away in the hills of Southeastern Ohio, existed a small college town.

College towns exist across this nation, but this town is different. This town is full of Bobcats. These Bobcats are a passionate, fun-loving, hard-working, devoted bunch.

They like to hang out at places with funny names like the College Green, The Pub, The Crystal, The Donkey, Radar Hill, Brenen's, Baker, and a few can even be spotted at Alden...Alden Library for those Bobcats who have no idea what I'm talking about.

Every year new Bobcats join the pack, and every year an equal number is forced to leave the den. New Bobcats roam the town wide-eyed for several weeks before catching their footing and blending in with their fellow Bobcats. The older Bobcats leave the den after 4 or 5 or more years several memorable years. Those Bobcats spread to the far corners of the world but remain faithful to that college town with its brick streets and beautiful, rural scenery. Most make it back at some point to see old friends and to visit old stomping grounds. A few Bobcats, the luckiest ones, stay in that college town even after most of their Bobcat peers have left.

Bobcats have been roaming this region since 1804.
Then in 2012 something sweet and spectacular happened.
Some have referred to it as a Cinderella story, but everyone knows that Cinderella relied on the magic of her fairy godmother. There is no magic in this Bobcat story. This story is about the hard work of a few and the tremendous spirit and pride of an entire Bobcat Nation.

A small group of talented Bobcats, led by wise elder Bobcats, took all of Bobcat Nation on a remarkably exciting journey. The journey was full of adversaries, and this group of Bobcats needed all the support they could get. All Bobcats, those still in that rural college town and those that had left the den, came together to loudly and enthusiastically support their fellow Bobcats.

The Bobcats rose up from hardwood floors and pounced on creatures who attempted to bring them down. They were so good at defending their turf that they traveled to a town called Nashville to see if they could hold their own under brighter lights and bigger pressures.

A fierce pack of wolverines approached from a northern place. Although the wolverines were tough, their arrogance far outweighed their fierceness. The wolverines seemingly had no idea what a Bobcat was so their arrogance was only matched by their ignorance. The Bobcats defeated the foolish wolverines while the frenzy in Bobcat Nation grew.

The Bobcats then faced scrappy and determined bulls from the south. The Bobcats lost their footing briefly but rallied back to defeat the bulls. Bobcats now walk a little taller and feel a little stronger.

The Bobcats will now travel to a town called St. Louis. The lights will be brighter and the pressure higher as they face the Tar Heels. Bobcats everywhere are breathless with anticipation. No one really knows what a Tar Heel is, but Bobcats are preparing for battle.

This may be their last battle before they return to their very proud college town. Or perhaps they have more battles ahead of them.

The Tar Heels should know that the Bobcats are capable of anything. The Tar Heels would be foolish to underestimate the skill, power, and sheer determination of this team of Bobcats. The Bobcats, and all of their faithful fellow Bobcats, are in it to win it!

The truth is, no matter what happens, it's sweet to be a Bobcat! Really sweet.

Go Bobcats!

A Message to College Girls

This is dedicated to a college intern who will remain nameless...

Once upon a time, I was you.

I was having the time of my life! My best friends were my roommates and I was surrounded by eligible bachelors. I set my own schedule and I could do as I pleased. This included ordering pizza at 2 in the morning and never suffering from heartburn or weight gain after eating half of it.

As I think about it, college was like living in a fantasy world. I even remember my father telling me, "These are the best years of your life," and I thought he was wrong!

College girls, these are some of the best years of your life.

Don't waste them worried about your waistline or your thighs. Ten years from now you'll see a picture of yourself from today and you will realize how beautiful you were.

If a young man buys you a drink or a meal, don't feel you owe him ANYTHING.
Chivalry is not dead so don't try to kill it.

Don't go out drinking without a good girlfriend by your side. Don't leave your girlfriend once either of you start drinking. Girl power is not to be underestimated.

Yes, Hairy Buffalo is an excellent drink. Don't drink it sitting down. Trust me on this. If you feel the need to sit down while drinking it, it's time to go home and go to bed (alone).

Beer goggles are invisible, but they most certainly do exist.

Say kind words about your fellow female counterparts. We can be our own worst enemies.

Don't cuss. Cussing makes you look like a @^€/#*! fool.

Bad boys are appealing to hang out with but they make appalling partners. Better to be alone than be with someone who doesn't accept you for who you are or who doesn't respect you.

Stop texting and put the cell phone down! In order to meet cute boys, you will need to actually look at them and talk with them.

A great place to pick up a cute boy is the grocery store. Seriously.

If you have the urge to get a tattoo, wait 24 hours. That cute dolphin on your butt cheek will eventually morph into a large sperm whale later in life.

Your mother is right. Keep your shoulders back and your chin up. A stooped woman is not what you aspire to be.

That statistics course you're taking is a necessary evil, and you will never use any of it in real life.
On the plus side, after graduation no one will ever ask about your GPA.

Don't let anyone make you think you can't accomplish what you want. You can and you will if you apply all the gifts and talents you have been given.

Don't forget to call home. Those people totally get you, even when you don't get yourself.

Of course, respect the advice of women older than you. One day you will be one of those women. That will happen sooner than you ever imagined possible.

GO BOBCATS!