We Love You Eddie!

I am so sad today after hearing that Eddie Sutton is seeking treatment for alcohol. Of course, not sad that he is getting treatment, but sad that he succumbed to the need to drink. I've been reading all of the articles written since Friday about the accident and the speculation surrounding his car accident. I'll admit, I was hopeful that it wasn't a DUI. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case. Any hardcore OSU basketball fan (or OSU fan in general) loves Eddie Sutton. Students don't chant Eddie during the game for nothing. Eddie is the reason that people come to OSU, that they buy tickets to the game. He has done so much for the school - he has built our program back to the way Coach Iba intended. I was really distressed by an article in the Oklahoman yesterday. The article questions his legacy. As most people know, he is one of the winningest coaches in NCAA history. He is 2nd among all active coaches - just behind Bobby Knight. His defensive style is replicated by many. Anyone who knows basketball is shocked with the Cowboys use zone defense. My basketball coach in high school followed Eddie's style.

The article goes on to say that Oklahomans will forgive Eddie. Actually, why should we need to forgive him? The only people that need to forgive him are the people that he hit. But anyway, we will move on and his legacy shouldn't be tarnished in our state. However, the author suggests that the greater basketball community will be less forgiving. He already had a tarnished reputation from whatever really happened at Kentucky. Lord knows that Kentucky fans still haven't forgiven him (and they really should get over that). Eddie Sutton, however much deserving that he is, has still not been granted a place in the Hall of Fame. And sadly, he probably won't in the future due to this one incident.

After watching Sportscenter this morning, I feel like even people at OSU are turning their backs on him. The President of the University (whom most people don't like anyway) said that they will evaluate Eddie's status as head coach at the end of his medical leave. Even if they retain him and Eddie wants to stay, the president said that we would advise Eddie to retire. If Eddie wants to stay, why not let him? He's, again, the best thing that happened to OSU. He's 6 wins short of 800. Let the man coach. He knows what he can do - he knows his physical limitations. If the pain gets so bad again that he thinks about taking a drink, let Sean coach the game. But don't take basketball away from him. Let it be on his terms and his terms alone. Don't let him resign when in actuality it was pressure from the university. I am a little concerned with the direction that OSU has been headed since President Halligan retired in 2002. Trying to force Eddie Sutton out will be about the last straw for me.

Sad Day for Cowboys

I don't know where I have been lately. Perhaps I was kidnapped by aliens or something. Normally I am up to date on college basketball news - especially news about my 'boys. However, the news that Eddie Sutton was in a car accident and missed the A&M game on Saturday really surprised me. Thank goodness for friends who fill me in. Imagine my shock and extreme sadness to learn that Eddie is going to miss the remainder of the season in order to take a medical leave. I know that Eddie is in declining health and that there is a question as to whether or not he is still using alcohol, but he is one of the best coaches in NCAA basketball and he is 6 wins short of 800 career wins. I really want him to reach that mark and I would hate to see his career end right now. As a HUGE OSU basketball fan - one who has stuck by my team through good years and bad, I sincerely hope that the players and coaches are able to go on and play this season out to the best of their abilities and I hope that Eddie returns next season.

In other news, Quinn Snyder left Mizzou? Another piece of news that I missed last week. I know that he's a notorious womanizer, but he's a decent coach. I know the team hasn't been that great lately, but give the guy a chance. Of course, we don't really know what is going on there. But as part of the Big 12, I have to look out for the future of the conference. I think Mike Anderson would be an excellent replacement, although I'm sure UAB would disagree.

This basketball season has been full of excitement. Can't wait for the Madness! Go Pokes!! Let's have a great February and March for Coach!

I love Mark Cuban!

Mark Cuban is awesome. I've never been a big Mavs fan or anything (I grew up loving the Lakers) and now I don't even follow the NBA. I do keep an eye on my former OSU cowboy players, but I wouldn't call myself a fan of pro basketball. However, after I watched Mark Cuban's short lived reality show The Benefactor, I fell in love with the guy. He's so funny and loves basketball so much. He's really endearing and now I root for the Mavs just for him.

Anyway, to get to the point. I had just logged out of my hotmail account and the MSN homepage loaded. I noticed a link to something about Mark Cuban owning Phil Jackson. Well, Phil Jackson is a great coach (Kobe should be so grateful that Phil came back) and since I used to be a huge Lakers fan and current Mark Cuban fan, I had to check out the link. So I guess Mark Cuban has a blog and after the Mavs killed the Lakers he made a post titled I Own Phil Jackson. It's really funny (http://www.blogmaverick.com/). I can completely see him writing this.

On another topic, I see that Harrison Ford's new movie is opening tomorrow. I originally thought that it probably would not be the best movie he has done. I mean, he has a lot to live up to. Plus, as hot as I think he is and as much as I love him, the big screen does not make older men look good (refer to Dirty Dancing 2 and Patrick Swayze - seriously, small children should not have been exposed - scary!). I'm a little worried that he's going to be a little scary. But I watched an interview with him this morning and they made the movie sound pretty good. So I think I'll check out a matinee this weekend. That way if it sucks, it only cost me $3.50.

Speaking of movies, if you want to laugh and be mildly disturbed, go shell out the cash to see The Squid and the Whale. It's pretty funny, although some of the parts seem kind of pointless. The younger brother in the movie is the disturbing part. He sits around shirtless drinking beer (he's like 12 years old) and says mean things to his mom and then there is the whole masturbation part. I don't want to ruin it for anyone, so go see it for yourself.

Praise God!

Last night we baptized 75 believers! Can you believe it? 75 people chose to put their faith in Christ out on display for all to see. It was just another reminder that God is awesome. I left church with just a heart full of love and on fire for God. Our auditorium seats 1200 and it was completely full - people were sitting on folding chairs and standing up. It was such an awesome sight. I hope that people that were there to see loved ones heard the message God was sending and put their faith in Christ as well (if they haven't already).

Lost!

I LOVE Lost. Absolutely the best show on TV. If you haven't seen it, you must tune in. I am proud to say that I have helped two people become obsessed with the show. Usually first thing on Thursday morning, Erin, Eileen and I go over the previous episode. Last night was especially good. The plot thickens....like what happened to Charlie? I love him and now he is starting to get a little scary. The obsession with Claire and Aaron is a little disturbing. I don't understand how he got this way - maybe because of the drugs? Anyway, what is with Locke? The look on his face was terrifying. Maybe he is not such a nice guy? And why did Libby tell Hurley that he stepped on her foot on the plane? Internet rumors have her being an Other. Describing how he looked when he got on the plane kind of makes me think that the rumors are wrong. However, if she is a "tailie" and he was in the middle of the plane (and the last one to board), how did he step on her foot? Wouldn't he have come from the front of the plane? I also wonder why she avoided the question about he thought he knew her. Interesting..... One last thought - I still hate Ana Lucia. I know some people are starting to like her a little more, but I say I hope she's the next to go. And she better not end up with Jack or Sawyer!

Golden Globes

One of my favorite things to do is watch a movie. I love going to a movie when it first comes to the theaters. This weekend I got to watch Brokeback Mountain and Pride and Prejudice - both nominated for some Golden Globes. I watched the awards last night anxiously awaiting to see the results. Brokeback Mountain and Walk the Line both won numerous awards. If you have not seen either of these movies, I highly encourage you to get out and watch them! It's going to be exciting to see which one of these two films wins the Oscar for best picture. Whichever one does, I'll be happy - they were both excellent!

Changes

People that know me well realize that I HATE change. I like things exactly as they are. I dread the new school year because new people will come in, social groups will change, and things will never be the same. I love routine and monotony. That's just how I am and I am comfortable with that. Of course, I love to do fun things that are new - like traveling, trying new restaurants, etc. But in my everyday environment - no change! I realized this weekend that while some change is ok, changing the menu or quality of food at restaurants should be a big no-no. I went with some friends for a celebratory dinner to a Mexican restaurant in town. This place used to be pretty good (well, at least until I had Mexican food throughout New Mexico). Now it's the only Mexican restaurant in town (not counting Qdoba) and the quality has declined. There is nothing worse than going in, mouth watering, ready to eat what you know will be a good dinner. Then the food comes and it looks like a microwaved tostada sitting on your plate. If it's not broke - don't fix it!!