Category Archives: Native Texan

Monday, March 14, 2016 –Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is?

Monday, March 14, 2016 –Does Anybody Really Know What Time It Is? Does Anybody Care about Time?

And so the opening lines of the Chicago song go.

Let me have a show of hands – how many like Daylight Savings Time?

Last night due to the magic of television the men’s NCAA tournament basketball bracket was completed. Tonight the women will learn where they will play and who they play as their bracket is completed. I will be at the Texas A&M Watch Party tonight. Teams placed in the brackets should be available to download this later this evening. If you want a blank bracket to complete as announcements are made go to the NCAA website http://www.ncaa.com/interactive-bracket/basketball-women/d1

Therefore, tomorrow be prepared as we explore How to Complete Your Bracket to select winners.

Buddy Glasses

Professor Buddy T. Cat

Thursday, March 10, 2016 – You and Your Bracket – Not Your Tax Bracket

Thursday, March 10, 2016 – You and Your Bracket – Not Your Tax Bracket

In my ongoing attempt to educate an uninformed world about whatever I am thinking about basketball,  here is another installment of Basketball Bracket Primer – Part II. – You and Your Bracket – The Women’s Bracket

Reminder: Monday, March 14 – the eve of the Ides of March – is the NCAA Division I Women’s NCAA Selection Show on ESPN. At this time we find out who is “Going Dancing” and where and who is staying home to watch, wiping away the tears and starting practice for next year.

Doors open at the Ferrin-Cox Building at 5:00 PM where I will be watching it live with The Fighting Texas Aggie women’s team and GB (Head coach Gary Blair). I hope I get as good a seat as I did last year – right behind the team.

J Jones self (800x600)

Texas A&M Guard – Jordon Jones taking a photo of TAMU’s bracket placement – 2015. Photo by me

Of course there is free food.  Why do you think we go when we could watch it on TV?

I also hope the Aggies do not get upset in the first round like last year by one of those teams that no one has ever heard of. Who was it? Middle Hillbilly Arkansas State?

Here is my 2015 women’s bracket.

W Bracket

I promise you that this year’s will not look like this. Unless they are upset by a Yale or Iona along the way, my Final Four are Baylor, South Carolina, Notre Dame and Geno and the Giants (UConn). They are the best four teams in women’s basketball today coached by four great coaches and their staff. Yeah, you two als0 – Geno and Muffett – Doesn’t mean I don’t respect you, even if I don’t like you! <smile>

There are 60 other teams though that could provide an upset to anyone of those four before the Final Four arrive in Indianapolis.

Coming soon:  How to Fill Out Your Bracket – We will look at how Dr. Beverly Hofstadter and Dr. Sheldon Cooper might do the math calculating the statistical odds of teams reaching The Final Four versus the Penny methodology of “I think their uniforms are pretty and I love the hair styles and what the coaches are wearing – especially the shoes. Oh yeah. I love their mascot – the Beavers.” Both methods are equally valid in selecting a winning team.

Happy Thursday.

Wednesday, March 9, 2016 – Your Basketball Bracket Primer – Going Dancing – Part I – The Women’s Tournament

Wednesday, March 9, 2016 – Your NCAA Basketball Tournament Bracket Primer – Going Dancing – Part I – The Women’s Tournament

Gather ye basketballs while ye may, the time is still a flying; And that same team that flies today; tomorrow will be dying.

Monday evening the ESPN will air the selection show for the NCAA Division I women’s tournament. Sixty-four teams will be selected to go to the dance. Let’s start with terminology.

Automatic bid – these are teams who win their conference or their conference tournament. It is like going to the dance with your long-time boy/girl friend.

At large invitation – these are teams who did not win their conference or their conference tourney, but will get to go to the dance. It like hoping you get asked to the big dance by somebody.

Bracket – a funny little chart showing which teams play against one another. More to come on brackets after Monday.

Bracket Virgins – your first time to complete a tournament bracket.

The Dance – the championship tournament is referred to as “the dance.” I do not know why.

Final Four – the last four teams left after everybody has played through their bracket. These teams play to be crowned 2016 Basketball National Champions.

Hardware/Bling – Hardware refers to the trophy; Bling refers to the BIG diamond rings you get if you win the tournament. The bling is the size of the nob on your dresser drawers.

Ticket punched – this is the term that a team received an automatic invitation and is loading the bus or plane to travel to a destination selected by people who actually get paid to watch, analyze and make up brackets for sporting events.

Let’s see who already has their tickets punched to the Dance and the conferences represented.

  1. George Washington – A-10 Conference
  2. Notre Dame – ACC
  3. Chattanooga – Southern
  4. South Carolina – SEC
  5. Maryland – Big 10
  6. Oregon State – Pac 12 – Go Beavers! It is not the usual champ – Stanford. Sorry Tara V. I hope you get an at-large bid.
  7. Iona – MAAC Conference. I must admit I was devastated when Iona upset Quinnipiac 57-41.
  8. Yale – Ivy League
  9. St. Johns – Big East Conference. It is St. Johns first trip to the Dance since 1988. Come on – you got to like St. Johns. Their band plays New York – New York – “Start spreading the news; I’m leaving today…”
  10. Baylor – Big 12 Conference
  11. UNC Wilmington – Colonial Conference
  12. University of San Francisco – WCC
  13. Florida Gulf Coast – Atlantic Sun
  14. UNC Ashville – Big South
  15. Northern Iowa – Missouri Valley
  16. Austin Peay – Ohio Valley

I have never heard of most these teams either and my TV automatically turns to ESPN so do not fret.

Still to come – tournament winners from the following alphabet soup of conferences: West Coast; Mountain West; American East, MAC, SWAC, Big Sky MEAC, WAC. No, I have no idea what the letters stand for either. You have Google on your computer, look them up.

I think I left out a team. Oh yes – UConn from the AAC. I refer to this team as Geno and his Giants. I shall yell for any team playing UConn.

The at-large bids will “round out” the field of 64 teams. This should include Texas A&M, THE University of Texas @ Austin, and other teams that are really good basketball teams.

Then play begins. There is no tomorrow. You win or you go home. The objective is to continue to play until there are only four teams left. This is called The Final Four. Notice: there are four teams I have bolded. These are my Final Four predictions. Notre Dame, South Carolina, Baylor and UConn.

Another prediction: Baylor will win the Championship Game against UConn.

But then again it is not called March Madness without reason. Yale or any other team could throw the ball toward the basket on a desperate shot and win on a buzzer beater. A buzzer beater is defined as: with the scored tied and only seconds left to play in the game, a desperation shot is attempted; the ball goes through the basket and the team wins. Shades of Louisville several years ago and all Baylor fans wanted to (or did) throw up.

As we wait for Selection Monday, let’s begin to cheer for teams we want to win somewhere in the tournament. Sic’ Em Bears. Gig ‘Em Aggies and yes, even Hook ‘Em Horns. Somebody bring that hardware and bling back to The Lone Star State from Connecticut! Geno and the Giants already have too much hardware and too much bling. It is someone else’s turn for hardware and bling.

GB & Me (800x600)

GB (Gary Blair – Texas A&M women’s basketball coach) and me. Photo by the crazy women who shoved me out of the way to get her photo made with GB.

Friday, March 4, 2016 – And the Madness Begins – Basketball not Politics.

Friday, March 4, 2016 – And the Madness Begins – Basketball not Politics.

It is time to follow the bouncing basketballs. Finally, the early rounds of the SEC Women’s Basketball Tournament are over. It is time now for some really big games. Conference titles, games, ranking of teams in the NCAA bracket, and most of all school pride are all on the line.

The Bottom Line is this – The Texas Aggie women play The Lady Vols from Tennessee at 5:00 today on the SEC Network.

Texas Wesylan 11.1.15 (800x533)

I am nervous. The last time the two teams met in the regular season, the game went into overtime with the Aggies pulling out a victory. Thank goodness it is the 5:00 game (Happy Hour) as opposed to the 11:00 AM game. For morning games, one must alter their alcohol intake accordingly. But “It’s 5:00 o’clock somewhere.” (J. Buffet, License to Chill)

Jordon Jones

BTHO Tennessee!!!

Happy Friday!

Thursday, March 3, 2016 – The Winds of Change, Basketball, Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan

Thursday, March 3, 2016 – The Winds of Change, Basketball, Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan

That “in like a lion and out like a lamb” idiom (google required for idiom definition) is about more than then weather.

The winds of change continue to blow. In politics – We all seemed to have survived Super Tuesday. Now we brace ourselves for the next round of political fires and data and information overload. It is like trying to get a drink of water from a fire hose.

The basketballs of the various NCAA Division I conferences continue to bounce. The NCAA women’s basketball conferences began play yesterday. These are lowers seeded teams that no one cares about unless you or your money goes there via children, grandchildren or other family equivalents.

The sounds of Willie Nelson and Bob Dylan

Thank you for so many comments about my Texas wall and especially the Willie Nelson photographs. FYI – there is another Texas wall in the front of the house. Here is the backstory to the two Willie Nelson pictures.

Place: A very large tract of land of undeveloped land in South Montgomery County called The Woodlands.

Time: Early 1970’s. Before J.L. McCullough High.

The Backstory: The only structures were the Swim and Tennis Centers and the golf course. McC might have been under construction. Maybe Lamar Elementary was open, but for the most part, there was not much development.

As a fund raiser for The Woodlands Montgomery County (MOCO) businesses had a golf/dinner fund raiser. There was a big golf tournament during the day. During the evening businesses bought tables, invited their family and friends and there was live music. Sidebar: Rob L. beer was Lone Star, of course – but the sponsor was the Conroe Lone Star distributor which I recall has family ties to you.

One of my claims to fame is “I kissed Willie Nelson.” Granted Willie was kissing every woman who was getting their picture made with him. Lone Star Beer might have been the reason Willie was kissing all the girls. It might have some something else altering his behavior. Lone Star beer was the definite reason I chased him down a hallway to get a photograph and autograph.

The Golf – During the day, Darryl Royal and all of his friends played golf with Willie Nelson and all of his friends.

The Music – In the evening, Willie Nelson and all his friends played and sang. After the various performers played on stage, they might go sit outside or retire to their rooms and pick and play some more.

It was a very relaxed atmosphere and you could get many photographs and/or kisses from the various prominent people. Think today – selfies and instagram.

As the event grew larger and as The Woodlands began to grow, the golf evolved into what would become today The Houston Open. As for the big tract of undeveloped land, the rest is history.

So in summary,

The political winds of change continue to blow. The basketballs of college teams continue to bounce. Willie Nelson should be in your Teachers’ Edition of Texas History, Knotts,

And from another great philosopher of the 20th Century – Bob Dylan – regarding change.

The Times They Are a Changing.

“Come gather round people wherever you roam and

Admit that the waters around you have grown…”

Texas Wall 2 (800x592)

Wednesday, March 2, 2016 – Texas Independence Day – Happy Birthday, Texas 1836-2016 – The Texas Revolution in 250 Words or Less or Don’t Mess with Texas

Wednesday, March 2, 2016 – Texas Independence Day – Happy Birthday, Texas 1836-2016 – The Texas Revolution in 250 Words or Less or Don’t Mess with Texas

Here’s What I’m Thinking or rather singing.

Texas Our Texas – All hail the mighty state…

I love to sing the state song. I wish it was sung at more events.

Texas declared its Independence from Mexico today at nearby Washington-on-the Brazos and The Republic of Texas was established. Meanwhile in San Antonio Davy Crockett looked at William B. Travis and said “We’re gonna need a lot more men.”

But as we all remember, the troops never came. Mexican General Santa Anna’s thousands breeched the walls and they were ordered to “give them no quarter” or kill them all.

It all ends with the WORLD CHANGING – Battle of San Jacinto. This battle changed the events and shape of the world. For those who enjoy alternate history, what if the Texians had lost at San Jacinto?

In its rich history the state has flown under six different flags representing six different sovereign countries. If anyone tries to take of any one those six flags away, I will fight you to the death. It will be Victory or Death just as at The Alamo. You will need to Come and Take It.

Texas Flag @ Sunset

So here’s to the men (and women) of the Battles of Medina, Gonzales, The Alamo, Goliad and San Jacinto. Thank you for fighting for Texas.

God Bless Texas! God Bless Willie Nelson!

Texas Wall 2 (800x592)

Only part of a Native Texan;s home/office décor.

Super Tuesday, March 1, 2016 – VOTE! March Comes in Like a Lion and Goes Out Like a Lamb. VOTE! Let the Madness Begin.

Super Tuesday, March 1, 2016 – VOTE! March Comes in Like a Lion and Goes Out Like a Lamb. VOTE! Let the Madness Begin.

We shall leave the political March madness and let it continue to run amok on its own social media course. Now, it is time for March Madness – COLLEGE BASKETBALL!!!

Get ready because I follow both men’s and women’s Division I NCAA college basketball. For the sports impaired – this is the sport with the big, round, brown ball that one bounces and tries to put through the tall pole with hoop attached to a net. Players wear uniforms that resemble underwear.

Here’s What I’m Thinking will be your handy guide to the bazillion DI college basketball games about to be played across the Sisterhood of ESPN. As in football, HWIT may or may not actually be about basketball.

Beginning Thursday (because tomorrow is Texas Independence Day – March 2 – a sacred day in the history of Texas) you can look forward to such insightful topics as:

  • The Teams
  • The Coaches
  • The Brackets
  • The Schedules
  • The Mascots – Really? Your school’s mascot is a spider (Richmond) or a blue hen (Delaware)?
  • CPR for Buzzer Beaters – Or Do Not Throw your Dammit Doll toward the TV or Do Not Through Your Computer Tablet Toward the TV while you are watching two games.
  • A Critique of the Announcers – Welcome to Brent Mushberger. Now, please go away.
  • Critique (read bitching) of ESPN for the Wrap Around in WBB
  • The Texas Aggies
  • The SEC Conference
  • The Baylor Bears
  • The Texas Longhorns
  • The Big 12 Conference
  • My favorite team is the women’s team playing UConn

And the most important one of all – Fashion – This will include, but not limited to:

  • players’ uniforms,
  • players’ footwear,
  • coaches’ ensembles
  • coaches’ footwear

Hair is a separate category – in basketball – it is all about the hair!

Texas Wesylan 11.1.15 (800x533)

Texas Aggie women v. Texas Wesylan 11.1.15 Photo by me

All of that and more. Let March Madness begin.

Sic ‘Em Lady Bears for winning the Big 12 Women’s Basketball Title last night.

Monday, February, 29, 2016 – LEAP YEAR! The Eve of Super Tuesday! Will Trump Take Texas Tomorrow? FRUITCAKES!

Monday, February, 29, 2016 – LEAP YEAR! The Eve of Super Tuesday! Will Trump Take Texas Tomorrow? FRUITCAKES!

I was reading a FB question from one of my former McC students who started a strand “Will Trump Take Texas Tomorrow?” The emoticons did not come across. Only four small rectangles – or maybe that was the emoticons representing a wall of some sort.

My first response – Whiskey Tango Foxtrot! If he does I will be coming to live near you – in Geneva, Switzerland! Second response – No – going to the island of St. Rolene to live near Rhonda.

And now to answer your question Stacy – NOTE: This is only a prediction and not an endorsement for any candidate.

Senator Ted Cruz will take Texas, but not by a significant percentage. Texas Governor Greg Abbott endorsed Cruz even though he cannot name any legislation written, sponsored, endorsed, blocked, filibustered, etc. by the Senator.

At the national level …

Donald Trump will splinter the GOP. Certain demographics will not vote or will vote for the least crazy (I use the term loosely) candidate. Hillary Clinton will win. No one will be happy.

Whoever your candidate is or whatever your causes and beliefs are – VOTE!

From the great 20th Century philosopher, Jimmy Buffet – “I don’t want other people thinking for me! I WANT MY JUNIOR MINTS!!!”

“WE NEED PEOPLE THAT CARE!! I AM MAD AS HELL!”

Have a very fruitful day!

Good Night Austin (600x800)

“Fruitcakes”

[Chorus:] Fruitcakes in the kitchen Fruitcakes on the street

Struttin’ naked through the cross walk In the middle of the week

Half baked cookies in the oven Half baked people on the bus

There’s a little bit of fruitcake left in everyone of us

Paradise – Lost and found Paradise – take a look around I was out in California Where I hear they have it all They got riots, fires and mud slides They got sushi in the mall Water bars and Brontosaurs Chinese modern lust Shake and bake life with the quake The secret’s in the crust [Chorus]

The government – We lost our Martian rocket ship The high paid spokesman said Looks like that silly rocket ship Has lost it’s cone-shaped head We spent ninety jillion dollars Tryin’ to get a look at Mars I hear universal laughter Ringing out among the stars

Fruitcakes in the galaxy Fruitcakes on the Earth Strut naked towards eternity We’ve been that way since birth Half baked cookies in the oven Half baked people on the bus There’s a little bit of fruitcake left in everyone of us

Religion, religion. Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa Where’s the church, who took the steeple Religion’s in the hands of some crazy ass people Television preachers with bad hair and dimples The God’s honest truth is it’s not that simple

It’s the Buddhist in you, it’s the pagan in me It’s the Muslim in him, she’s Catholic ain’t she? It’s that born again look, it’s the wasp and the Jew Tell me what’s goin on, I ain’t got a clue

Here come the big ones – Relationships – We all got ’em, we all want ’em. What do we do with’em? Here we go I’ll tell ya She said you’ve got to do your fair share Now cough up half the rent I treat my body like a temple You treat yours like a tent But the right word at the right time

May get me a little hug That’s the difference between lightning And a harmless lightning bug

Fruitcakes in the kitchen Fruitcakes on the street Struttin’ naked through the cross walk In the middle of the week Half baked cookies in the oven Half baked people on the bus There’s a little bit of fruitcake left in everyone of us

The future, Captain’s log, Star date 2000 and somethin’ We’re seven years from the millennium That’s a science fiction fact Stanley Kubrick and his buddy Hal Now don’t look that abstract

So I’ll put on my Bob Marley tape And practice what I preach Get Ja lost in the reggae mon As I walk along the beach Stay in touch with my insanity Really is the only way It’s a jungle out there kiddies Have a very fruitful day

Wednesday, February 24, 2016 – Hello Grace

Wednesday, February 24, 2016 – Hello Grace?

Grace. It was amazing. I was blind, but now I see. I am thankful.

Vision is still cloudy, but there is vision. Yesterday was cloudy only and that was my eye and the weather.

Here are some pics I thought you might enjoy. If you zoom in to the lens, you can see the reflection of me taking the picture. Pretty cool.

sunglasses with marking (450x800)

I hope that marking is Latin or vocational school language for THIS ONE! I also hope it comes off my forehead.

Rev - look alike (450x800)

Is it Miss Rev? Or Georgie?

Slinky the Cat (800x450)

“I AM THE CAT!” I am not interested in having my picture made.” Slinky Cat (2.23.16)

No. The drugs obviously did not destroy the thinking part. Yes, I know they were all eye drops, but they are going into to your eye which is close to your brain.

Oh, Grace, the drugs packaging said side effect could include vivid dreams. The first night I dreamed Donald Trump was running for President of the United States. Last night I dreamed the former Governor of Texas, Rick Perry’s criminal case was dismissed.

What? No! It’s FOR REAL!

I must let you go and see if Mary has seen it.

Hail, Mary, Have you talked to Grace?

Friday, February 19, 2016 – Pope Francis and the Governor of Texas

Friday, February 19, 2016 – Pope Francis and the Governor of Texas

I see where the Governor of Texas had a scheduling conflict and was not able to welcome the Pope to Mexico from the El Paso side. Seems the governor was to swear in the new commissioner of education – Mr. Voucher. I can certainly understand the governor’s rationale for such a decision. The last time the Pope met with an American leader, Speaker of the House of Representatives, John Boehner, and Boehner resigned the next day. Texas should be so lucky. Doesn’t this entire political mess make you want to swear too?

11.10.15 Veterans Park 2015-09-27 008 (601x800)