We as Sooners generally hate being anything worse than first. But I'd imagine that lots of Normanites are plenty happy to come in number 6 in Money Magazine's Best Places to Live 2008.
Personally, my favorite part of the whole thing is that we beat out Round Rock. That's where people too boring to live in Austin live and eat lots of Chuys and buy lots of Ikea and mow their lawns a lot.
Non-sequiter: Has anyone seen the commercial for local super-cute boutique Blue 7? It is fah-reaking me out, and making me not want to buy things that I previously wanted to buy.
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Friday, July 4, 2008
Happy Norman Day!
Norman Day (or "Fourth of July", as others call it) is one of my very favorite days of the year. No work, no commitments, just hot dogs and watermelon and fireworks and Norman.
Don't miss the fireworks at Reaves Park at 9:45. Head to Reaves early to take part in other fun activities, or to just loll on the grass drinking lemonade.
The Transcript has a schedule of the activities to take place, including a hot dog eating contest, ugliest dog contest, and baby crawl.
Above all, relax, have a great day, and don't forget that today is all about (the approval of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, and) Norman!
Don't miss the fireworks at Reaves Park at 9:45. Head to Reaves early to take part in other fun activities, or to just loll on the grass drinking lemonade.
The Transcript has a schedule of the activities to take place, including a hot dog eating contest, ugliest dog contest, and baby crawl.
Above all, relax, have a great day, and don't forget that today is all about (the approval of the Declaration of Independence by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776, and) Norman!
Monday, June 16, 2008
Go tell Inhofe he's wrong.
Jim Inhofe is trying to frame his race against Andrew Rice using rising gas prices as leverage. He's trying to make it appear through an (oh-so-accurate) internet poll that Congressional Democrats (and certainly not Republican politicians with strong political and financial ties to the oil industry!) are responsible for high gas prices.
I'm certainly no expert on petroleum economics, but I know when I smell a rat, and it's starting to get odoriferous up in here.
Click here if you'd like to vote in Inhofe's poll (margin of error +/- 98 points) or leave an encouraging comment for him.
Please, Oklahoma, let's not re-elect a man who doesn't support the GI Bill or student loans, who supports the use of torture and denies the validity of science. Please.
I'm certainly no expert on petroleum economics, but I know when I smell a rat, and it's starting to get odoriferous up in here.
Click here if you'd like to vote in Inhofe's poll (margin of error +/- 98 points) or leave an encouraging comment for him.
Please, Oklahoma, let's not re-elect a man who doesn't support the GI Bill or student loans, who supports the use of torture and denies the validity of science. Please.
Friday, May 30, 2008
Oklahoma is OK, where OK means goddamned great.
Oh, boy. I never update, huh? I'm the Harper Lee of the blogosphere. Oh, well.
Let's pretend that the reason I haven't been updating is because I've been reading so very much. Just reading and reading, building my knowledge, not looking at design blogs and eating pizza on my front porch. Yes, let's.
Recently I started what is shaping up to be a wonderful book, Way Down Yonder in the Indian Nation by Michael Wallis. It's a collection of sixteen essays about Oklahoma and its notables. I've so far read the introductions (there are two; one is specific to the Oklahoma edition); the first essay, which is sort of an entertaining overview of Oklahoma history and some pretty great insight into its identity; and the second essay, about Woody Guthrie, his life, and his legacy.
In the first essay, "Searching for Hidden Rhythms", Wallis eloquently illuminates things I've been clumsily stammering about Oklahoma for years. I'd like to memorize the first two paragraphs to recite to people when they ask me what Oklahoma is like, and why I would possibly love living there:
Indeed. If word that that's who we are gets out, I'm afraid we may have an overpopulation crisis on our hands.
Wallis also shows incredible insight into why we as Oklahomans may lack an accurate or indeed any understand of who we are by others outside the state. It is evident to most in Oklahoma that we have a problem with pride in our heritage, a deficit that is not warranted, rich as our state's history is. Wallis identifies it thusly:
I am not alone in wishing that I had paid more attention in my requisite high school Oklahoma history course, or taken further such courses in college. I wish now, though, that the state made more of an effort to illuminate that history on a larger scale, to imbue it into our consciousness (whoa, creepy) in the same way that President Boren and others at the University of Oklahoma made us so proud to attend that university, to know its ins and outs and ups and downs. I wish that we were proud of what and who we have rather than simply wishing for things other states have that we don't.
We as Oklahomans have an amazing and unique history, and if we allow that history to inform our future it will be rich and wonderful as well. If we don't, well, that would make my heart hurt, and not in an "I just ate a whole fried chicken at Eischen's" kind of way.
Let's pretend that the reason I haven't been updating is because I've been reading so very much. Just reading and reading, building my knowledge, not looking at design blogs and eating pizza on my front porch. Yes, let's.
Recently I started what is shaping up to be a wonderful book, Way Down Yonder in the Indian Nation by Michael Wallis. It's a collection of sixteen essays about Oklahoma and its notables. I've so far read the introductions (there are two; one is specific to the Oklahoma edition); the first essay, which is sort of an entertaining overview of Oklahoma history and some pretty great insight into its identity; and the second essay, about Woody Guthrie, his life, and his legacy.
In the first essay, "Searching for Hidden Rhythms", Wallis eloquently illuminates things I've been clumsily stammering about Oklahoma for years. I'd like to memorize the first two paragraphs to recite to people when they ask me what Oklahoma is like, and why I would possibly love living there:
Oklahoma is a tallgrass prairie and everlasting mountains. It is secret patches of ancient earth tromped smooth and hard by generations of dancing feet. It is the cycle of song and heroic deed. It is calloused hands. It is the aroma of rich crude oil fused with the scent of sweat and sacred smoke. It is the progeny of an oil-field whore wed to a deacon; the sire of a cow pony bred with a racehorse. It is a stampede, a pie supper, a revival. It is a wildcat gusher coming in. It is a million-dollar deal cemented with a handshake.
Oklahoma is dark rivers snaking through red, furrowed soil; lakes rimmed with stone bluffs. It is the ghosts of proud Native Americans, crusading Socialists, ambitious cattle kings, extravagant oil tycoons, wily bandits. It is impetuous and it is wise. A land of opportunists, resilient pioneers, and vanquished souls, the state is a crazy quilt of contradictions and controversies, travails and triumphs. It has been exploited and abused, cherished and fought over. It is a puzzling place.
[From page 2, "Searching for Hidden Rhythm" by Michael Wallis, from the book Way Down Yonder in the Indian Nation: Writings from America's Heartland, published by the University of Oklahoma Press, 2007.]
Indeed. If word that that's who we are gets out, I'm afraid we may have an overpopulation crisis on our hands.
Wallis also shows incredible insight into why we as Oklahomans may lack an accurate or indeed any understand of who we are by others outside the state. It is evident to most in Oklahoma that we have a problem with pride in our heritage, a deficit that is not warranted, rich as our state's history is. Wallis identifies it thusly:
"Ironically, a great deal of the adverse image problem Oklahoma suffers from actually begins at home. Oklahomans do not have a proper sense of themselves or their state's history. Critical eras from the past, such as the Dust Bowl years, have been blurred or forgotten or, even worse, shunned because they seem to cast a poor light on the land and its people. There is a wholesale denial of history. At times it seems to be a conspiracy. [P. 5]
I am not alone in wishing that I had paid more attention in my requisite high school Oklahoma history course, or taken further such courses in college. I wish now, though, that the state made more of an effort to illuminate that history on a larger scale, to imbue it into our consciousness (whoa, creepy) in the same way that President Boren and others at the University of Oklahoma made us so proud to attend that university, to know its ins and outs and ups and downs. I wish that we were proud of what and who we have rather than simply wishing for things other states have that we don't.
We as Oklahomans have an amazing and unique history, and if we allow that history to inform our future it will be rich and wonderful as well. If we don't, well, that would make my heart hurt, and not in an "I just ate a whole fried chicken at Eischen's" kind of way.
Saturday, November 24, 2007
Oh, you-- Sooners? Then start acting like it.
I love the Sooners. I think we've gone over that. I love it when we win, especially against Texas. I've been known to make a few choice comments about the opposing team and its fans while watching particularly tense games (I apologize to the people of Texas Tech-- you are noble and deserving, I am sure, but I stand by the fact that you are NOT a beautiful people.) Round about the second weekend in October I get pretty vitriolic about that one school in Austin. You know what I've never done, though? Ripped a man's scrotum because he rooted for the Longhorns.
Tonight after the game, the boyfriend and I decided that we needed some chain restaurant burgers. When we were seated, our server informed us that we had arrived at the perfect time, having just missed the "drama". I've dated enough boys who waited tables at big chain restaurants to know that they are hot beds of such major drama as, OMG, Becky the hostess is totally hooking up with Jeff the cook which is crazy because Jessica the server like, totally kissed him during close last Tuesday. I wasn't aware, however, that this sort of drama was often disclosed to diners. I inquired about the drama, bracing myself for the inevitable story about how some kid had come in with a fake ID and "we like, had to call the cops and stuff." Instead, though, what she said made me a little upset with some of my fellow Sooners.
Apparently, Zac Robinson, quarterback for the Oklahoma State Cowboys, and his family had chosen to have a post-game dinner at the same restaurant. Oklahoma State had just lost the Bedlam game to OU, in which sophomore quarterback Zac Robinson had performed well in his running game and not as well in his passing game, and was sidelined after a shoulder injury in the 4th quarter. According to our server, a kitchen worker at the restaurant took it upon himself to harass Robinson by approaching his table and yelling "You suck!" in front of the entire restaurant, its staff, and his family.
Really? Really?! In what world does it seem appropriate to hurl insults at the quarterback of the visiting team following their loss in front of his family at the PLACE OF YOUR EMPLOYMENT?! Or really anywhere, for that matter. As we ate our dinner, we saw Robinson and his family leave after, presumably, staying to finish their meal despite their unpleasant treatment. They left quietly and did not look the least bit angry, thanking the hostesses as they walked out of the restaurant.
Sooners, raz your friends who root for opposing teams. Scream loudly at your television or at the field on game days. Tell Lee Corso what you really think of him when ESPN GameDay comes to town. Laugh at the drunk A&M fans who can't find their way around the two blocks of Campus Corner.
But do not, DO NOT, forget that other sports fans are people just like you, whose body parts we should probably leave intact; that you don't kick people, especially 21 year old kids out to dinner with their families, when they are down; and that, for God's sake, we are OKLAHOMANS, a dignified people who pride themselves on being, if not kind, polite to one another.
If you really need to get out some vitriol on game day, take it out on a man who's 40. Or write a rambling sports column for the Oklahoman.
Now. That being said-- BOOMER SOONER! Way to beat those Pokes!
Tonight after the game, the boyfriend and I decided that we needed some chain restaurant burgers. When we were seated, our server informed us that we had arrived at the perfect time, having just missed the "drama". I've dated enough boys who waited tables at big chain restaurants to know that they are hot beds of such major drama as, OMG, Becky the hostess is totally hooking up with Jeff the cook which is crazy because Jessica the server like, totally kissed him during close last Tuesday. I wasn't aware, however, that this sort of drama was often disclosed to diners. I inquired about the drama, bracing myself for the inevitable story about how some kid had come in with a fake ID and "we like, had to call the cops and stuff." Instead, though, what she said made me a little upset with some of my fellow Sooners.
Apparently, Zac Robinson, quarterback for the Oklahoma State Cowboys, and his family had chosen to have a post-game dinner at the same restaurant. Oklahoma State had just lost the Bedlam game to OU, in which sophomore quarterback Zac Robinson had performed well in his running game and not as well in his passing game, and was sidelined after a shoulder injury in the 4th quarter. According to our server, a kitchen worker at the restaurant took it upon himself to harass Robinson by approaching his table and yelling "You suck!" in front of the entire restaurant, its staff, and his family.
Really? Really?! In what world does it seem appropriate to hurl insults at the quarterback of the visiting team following their loss in front of his family at the PLACE OF YOUR EMPLOYMENT?! Or really anywhere, for that matter. As we ate our dinner, we saw Robinson and his family leave after, presumably, staying to finish their meal despite their unpleasant treatment. They left quietly and did not look the least bit angry, thanking the hostesses as they walked out of the restaurant.
Sooners, raz your friends who root for opposing teams. Scream loudly at your television or at the field on game days. Tell Lee Corso what you really think of him when ESPN GameDay comes to town. Laugh at the drunk A&M fans who can't find their way around the two blocks of Campus Corner.
But do not, DO NOT, forget that other sports fans are people just like you, whose body parts we should probably leave intact; that you don't kick people, especially 21 year old kids out to dinner with their families, when they are down; and that, for God's sake, we are OKLAHOMANS, a dignified people who pride themselves on being, if not kind, polite to one another.
If you really need to get out some vitriol on game day, take it out on a man who's 40. Or write a rambling sports column for the Oklahoman.
Now. That being said-- BOOMER SOONER! Way to beat those Pokes!
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Boomer Sooner!
Oklahoma 28, Texas Sucks, I mean, 21
Number of times Sam Bradford said "four quarters" in the post-game interview: 27,946. To the eleventy power. Times nine.
Go Sooners!
Number of times Sam Bradford said "four quarters" in the post-game interview: 27,946. To the eleventy power. Times nine.
Go Sooners!
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Oh, Norman.
City of festivals, OU football, and a bronze likeness of Maverick.
How I love you.
Last week I was asked, for what was not the first time in my life, what was "good" about Norman. I bit my tongue to refrain from saying, "Nothing west of I-35," and after I recovered I lectured for a full 10 minutes before my audience of out-of-state botany graduate students lost interest-- somewhere between "the single most important collection of French Impressionism ever given to an American public university" and "Beat Texas!"-- and began discussing more interesting things, like lichen.
I, however, was captivated by my own ramblings. I don't think I am alone in loving Norman with my whole heart. In fact, I'm certain that I am not. I am also certain, though, that loving our little diamond in the rough might take a little guidance and a little explanation. I don't think I adore this town because it is the only place I've ever lived (it's not) or because all of my friends are here (they're not-- though so many wonderful friends are!) or because I've just settled (I haven't, though it might not be a bad idea.) I don't love it because it's "great... for Oklahoma" because I think Oklahoma is one of the most remarkable places in the country, and for Norman to be among its most enjoyable towns speaks highly of Norman in a nationwide context.
Even if you hate it, and you just can't wait until you defend your dissertation so you can FINALLY move to Ohio or graduated high school so you can FINALLY move to another college town just like Norman but with higher tuition and a more nasal native accent, maybe you can use this blog to find things to do to make your time here go by in a more amusing fashion.
Hopefully here on Normanist, we'll be chronicling the goings-on of one hip town, even if we have to color them with a few unsubstantiated rumors every now and again, phrased as facts, of course.
Little Known Fact #1:
Abner Norman, grandfather of James Garner (writer of Sorority Boys and Possums), once killed a man with the branch of a redbud tree for the most important collection of French impressionist paintings ever given to an American public university.
Right?
City of festivals, OU football, and a bronze likeness of Maverick.
How I love you.
Last week I was asked, for what was not the first time in my life, what was "good" about Norman. I bit my tongue to refrain from saying, "Nothing west of I-35," and after I recovered I lectured for a full 10 minutes before my audience of out-of-state botany graduate students lost interest-- somewhere between "the single most important collection of French Impressionism ever given to an American public university" and "Beat Texas!"-- and began discussing more interesting things, like lichen.
I, however, was captivated by my own ramblings. I don't think I am alone in loving Norman with my whole heart. In fact, I'm certain that I am not. I am also certain, though, that loving our little diamond in the rough might take a little guidance and a little explanation. I don't think I adore this town because it is the only place I've ever lived (it's not) or because all of my friends are here (they're not-- though so many wonderful friends are!) or because I've just settled (I haven't, though it might not be a bad idea.) I don't love it because it's "great... for Oklahoma" because I think Oklahoma is one of the most remarkable places in the country, and for Norman to be among its most enjoyable towns speaks highly of Norman in a nationwide context.
Even if you hate it, and you just can't wait until you defend your dissertation so you can FINALLY move to Ohio or graduated high school so you can FINALLY move to another college town just like Norman but with higher tuition and a more nasal native accent, maybe you can use this blog to find things to do to make your time here go by in a more amusing fashion.
Hopefully here on Normanist, we'll be chronicling the goings-on of one hip town, even if we have to color them with a few unsubstantiated rumors every now and again, phrased as facts, of course.
Little Known Fact #1:
Abner Norman, grandfather of James Garner (writer of Sorority Boys and Possums), once killed a man with the branch of a redbud tree for the most important collection of French impressionist paintings ever given to an American public university.
Right?
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