A spirit that is not afraid.

Photo courtesy of the Tennessee Journalist

I used to kinda want to work for ESPN. But now, I'm not so sure.

Lately, as someone who nerdily paid rapt attention in four years of journalism training and takes very seriously the earned right to weild the pen, I'm sickened by ESPN and the media. I'm sickened that those who make their living off reporting with truth, accuracy, precision, discouraged use of "unnamed sources," and fair and balanced journalism have far missed the mark. You should be innately and desperately sure of your story. You should stand behind it no matter what because you nailed it. ESPN, do you feel like that?

"Fabricate, exaggerate and wait for the hits and 'buzz.'

That’s their kind of journalism."

- The Auburn Plainsman

Great article by The Plainsman's Editorial Board.

But really. Even if this story wasn't about my pride and joy football team I know I'd be appalled.

Just sayin'.

I stand with Cam.

Tailgating is a lifestyle.

First of all, I got my first pay check last weekend. And what'd I buy? Workout clothes. An oversize American Apparel t-shirt. Leggings with neon blue zippers up the ankle. Welp, so much for being a grown-up.

Next purchase? It's LC tradition to buy a souvenir from every university you visit. So, what do I want 30 of? (Besides tennis skirts and bathing suits and Tory Burch shoes.)

Option A: I was gonna do charms for my bracelet. 30 charms. Until I realized no one wants to hear jingle bells until the 24-hour window between Christmas Eve and Jesus' birthday. Option A was nixed.

So I moved to Option B: Koozies or Tervis Tumblers. With my already-substantial collection of both, I've recognized two perks:

1. They're not noisy.

2. I'll be tailgating for the rest of my life so this is really quite practical of me.

But which item? Both?

Y'all have any other ideas?

Daddy's requested a t-shirt from each school. He's pretty pumped about his Huskers shirt. Except when I got relocated to University of Georgia for my 1st visit (next week!), my iPhone immediately blows up with this text:

"Hey, by the way---I'll pass on the Georgia t-shirt. Know what I mean?"

WDE to that, Daddy. I shan't be bringing my UGA Tervis to the Stallings family library lawn tailgate. Promise.

Here comes the sun.

WCC. Where I turned my first underwater sommersault.

I can layout with the best of 'em.

Mama taught me at a young age at the country club pool the simple rules:

1. Don't complain about being bored. If this is an issue, that's why they invented books. (And for college students, I've discoverd: sleeping.)
2. Sunscreen. This from a woman that was a baby oil fan during the entirity of the 1980's. I trust her.
3. Flip on the half hour and untie your straps, duh.

And yesterday, as I sat down Stokstad's Art History textbook to pick up Kathryn Stockett's "The Help," I realized I was squinting horribly through my sorority party shades. (Classy, I know--left the Ray Ban's in the car)


Shoulda brought a baseball hat. And how old-school awesome are these?

 Photos courtsey of The College Shack, $15.95 each

Of course my luck--the Auburn one this Alabama-bred girl is coveting is currently unphotographed.

But heck-naw was I putting up that tacky crimson and white hat. I think I'd rather play in traffic.

Happy 101

Thanks, Elizabeth and Grace in Her Step for tagging me! So I think I now list 10 things that make me happy...

Award Rules:

1. List 10 things that make you happy.

2. Tag 10 bloggers that brighten your day.

3. If you are one of the 10 bloggers awarded, link back to this blog, and pass it along.

1 :: Moments every day when the Lord reminds me that when the world is falling out from underneath me, I'll be found in Him still standing.

2 :: The Pebbles {My 5 besties. How'd we get the name? The Wise Camilla said, "God is my rock, but y'all are my pepples. Aww, shucks.}

3 :: Alpha Delta Pi {Yeahyeahyeah, I know, sappy. But to me, this sorority is more than chanting Pi, Pi, ADPi during rush--they are the net to catch me here at Samford. "We live for each other and for Alpha Delta Pi."}

4 :: Toes in sand, Lilly bathing suit on, waves crashing, and skin warm. Then Bud & Alley's or The Red Bar. Done and done.

5 :: Live music. Correction: DANCING to live music. From Charleston bars to Destin digs, just give me a beat and I'm bouncin'.

6 :: Sundresses + cowgirl boots. Or Jack Rogers.

7 :: Tailgating on the rolling plains of Auburn.

8 :: These ballets - Giselle, Romeo & Juliet, Swan Lake, Serenade, Western Symphony. {True, I haven't been a company member since '06. But I proudly retain my slightly snobbish "ballet is the basis of all dance" mentaility proudly. Go ahead, try me. I'll even wiggle my scarred 10 toes to prove it.}

9 :: Sweet little Montgomery, Alabama. It's family.

10 :: New York City {First trip: an entire summer studying ballet at Joffrey at age 14. Last trip: showing God's love to the roughest parts of Brooklyn and Spanish Harlem. From the glitz to the grime, I ADORE this city and the people that inhabit it.}

Tags
Buckhead Belle
The Modern Traditionalist
Starfish and Sundresses
All That Inspires
A Day in the Life, My World, & The People in It
Something Beautiful
Let the Tide Pull Your Dreams Ashore
A Trip Down South
Southern Gent
Living the Dream

Note to those tagged: The blog gods will probably throw lighting at me, but I have seen some writers not include the award picture when reposting this. I dunno. It may mess with your aesthetic. Plus, I tagged some guys and that gingham is super June Cleaver.

Can't Help My Roots.

Photo courtesy of Pink Wallpaper.

Gotta love email forwards from Mama. Also gotta love inheriting the following mindset:

As a die hard Auburn fan, I recently had a co-worker who was a Bama fan lean into my office and ask me if I was going to cheer for Alabama in the National Championship. As they looked at the Auburn decor in my office, they informed me that I should always cheer for the SEC. As I pondered my response I finally came up with one:

I would have to say not "no" but "hell no." In fact, on the day of the National Championship I plan on waking up and eating some Tex-Mex food which would include Texas Toast dipped in Texas Pete hot sauce. Then I will sit down and watch episodes of Walker Texas Ranger on TV. Then I might rent the movie Texas Chainsaw Massacre. When I tire of that I will do the Texas Two-Step while listening to the band Little Texas singing my new favorite song, "Deep in the Heart of Texas". All while wearing the hat of my new favorite baseball team the Texas Rangers. I wouldnt cheer for Alabama if Charles Manson was playing for the other team. Hook 'em horns!

- Email circulating amongst diehard Tiger Fans

Yup, tomorrow I'm gonna be wearing orange. Lord knows I sure own enough. WAR EAGLE, HEY!