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It's football season.

That means an abundance of maroon & white.

Whoop!

november 19, 1999

Ten years ago today, the Texas A&M family lost 12 young lives in a horrific accident. To many, it was a silly college tradition. To us, it represented unity and family. Out at Bonfire, we weren't Greeks, or jocks, or CTs, or BQs. We were Aggies. Memories were made out there, and lives were changed.

From its inception as a scrap heap to the more familiar and impressive stack of vertical logs, the Texas Aggie Bonfire symbolized every Aggie's "burning desire" to beat the University of Texas in football. Attracting between 30,000 and 70,000 people each year to watch it burn, Bonfire became a symbol of the deep and unique camaraderie that is the Aggie Spirit.

In preparation for the much-anticipated annual football game against "t.u.", as Aggies refer to their rival, the student-built Texas Aggie Bonfire would burn after Yell Practice. The lighting ceremony included the playing of "The Spirit of Aggieland" by the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band and the traditional reading of "The Last Corps Trip" poem. An outhouse, known as the "t.u. tea room" or "t.u. frat house" was built by sophomores in the Aggie band and sat atop the completed Bonfire. Aggie lore has it that if the Bonfire stood until after midnight, they would win the game.

Since the initial Bonfire in 1909, Texas A&M students have banded together each year to build and burn the Bonfire, and in the process helped it to evolve into the largest in the world. Bonfire burned each year through 1998, with the exception of 1963. That year Bonfire was built but torn down in a tribute to President John F. Kennedy who was assassinated on November 22, 1963. Texas A&M Head Yell Leader Mike Marlowe said, "It is the most we have and the least we can give."

In 1967, responsibility for Bonfire construction was transferred from the Yell Leaders to "Red Pots," students specifically chosen to plan and construct the stack. The safety helmets or "pots" worn by Bonfire construction workers were painted various colors to designate the hierarchy of responsibilities.

In 1955, Bonfire was moved from Simpson Drill Field in front of the Memorial Student Center to Duncan Field, behind the Corps of Cadets area, where it was held for 37 years. The 1992 Bonfire marked the first year Bonfire was built in its final home on the Polo Fields.

The second time in A&M’s history that Bonfire did not burn was almost exactly 92 years after the first Bonfire due to its collapse on November 18th, 1999 at 2:42 a.m. The collapse killed 12 Aggies and injured 27 others.

Five years later, the Bonfire Memorial was dedicated on the exact location of the ’99 Bonfire.

Information from the Texas A&M Hospitality Committee.

dread locks, blue eyes, and sparrows

As is usually the case on Tuesday evenings, I spent a good chunk of my time last night watching American Idol. The theme was Dolly Parton. Um, no thanks. I've been frustrated with the song choices this season, mainly because I've been frustrated with the themes. Of all of the options available in the whole wide world of music, I'm thinking that the AI producers could've come up with something better than Dollywood. She's sweet and everything, but come on.

On to blue eyes.

I'm still in the process of figuring out Jason Castro. He's an Aggie, so by nature of the maroon-blooded loyalty and clan-like devotion that all Aggies have for other Aggies, I automatically hope he succeeds. As for his music, I totally dig the laid back demeanor -- the whole "sittin' around the campfire barefoot with friends, strummin' the guitar" type of thing. But the last two weeks have been iffy for my Aggie boy -- his performances have been mediocre at best. So I was happy to see the old Jason back last night, even if the judges didn't give him a ton of love. We'll see. Go, Jason!

But my favorite last night (and all season) was, once again, David Cook. Despite the fact that he was singing about a little sparrow (and apparently sicker than a dog on his death bed), the dude rocked. I read this morning that he went to the hospital after the show, due to a rapid heart rate and high blood pressure. Get better soon, David. The show needs you and I need you. You're just now beginning to help me ease the lingering pain that's been a part of my Idol existence ever since America gave Chris Daughtry the boot.

Sunday blues?

I fight it. I really do. But more often than not, I seem to be one of those "glass half-empty" kind of people. I wish I wasn't, and I really do count my blessings (of which there are many). But for some reason, I tend to lean toward the cynical side of things.

One area I have a hard time shaking this negative way of thinking is on Sundays. Rather than being able to soak in and enjoy the serenity of the day, I tend to focus on the fact that the next day is Monday. So more often than not, I end up feeling trapped by Sundays -- like I can't truly take it all in because the end is so near. It's a horrible way to end a weekend!

So today I'm turning over a new lease on life. I'm going to face my Sunday demons head-on. I'm going to make every possible effort to start soaking up more of the glory that is Sunday. I thought a good way to start would be to list my favorite things about this Day of Rest. Here goes:

• The ability to savor and taste, not just gulp down, the perfect cup of coffee. This morning, it's nothing with foam or style -- just a simple cup of Folgers with Coffee-Mate Pralines and Cream added. Delish.


• A trip to the local Mexican hole-in-the-wall for a big'ol' authentic Mexican breakfast. There's a dumpy place in Houston called Casa de Leon that my family regularly frequents. There's nothing quite like hearing the Spanish version of "When the Lights go Down in the City" playing on the jukebox while chowing down on a plate of breakfast tacos and, if the craving grabs you, a cold Corona (yeah, even if you want it before noon). It's one of life's great moments. I ran across a great blog this morning by Homesick Texan about the religion of Texas breakfast tacos. It's a must-read.


• Spending quality time cuddling on the couch with my son, watching Blue's Clues.


• In the autumn months (and the boiling days of August and September in the Lone Star State), catching up on the previous day's gridiron results ... hopefully re-living every stellar detail of a big Aggie win.
  
• A quick road-trip. It doesn't have to be a grand affair. A drive down to Kemah for lunch on the water. Or heading over to beautiful Chappell Hill, Texas to spend a day at the Bluebonnet Festival in April.


• Hanging out with my family all damn day. There's simply nothing better.
  
• The Peace of the day -- Sunday is inheritantly about giving all glory to God, and there's nothing more serene and beautiful than that.