Pilgimages – Page 2 – Playin Your Dreams

TDECU STADIUM CONTRIBUTES TO UPSET 11/17/16–AMON G. CARTER STADIUM CREATES ‘BOLTS OF STUPIDITY’ & ‘A RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS’—11/19/16

November 30, 2016August 27, 2023

TDECU STADIUM CONTRIBUTES TO UPSET 11/17/16–AMON G. CARTER STADIUM CREATES ‘BOLTS OF STUPIDITY’ & ‘A RANDOM ACT OF KINDNESS’—11/19/16

After leaving Austin, Texas on 11/16/17, my camp was moved to Columbus, Texas for my visit to TDECU Stadium, home of the U of Houston Cougars. Even though it was located about 75 miles away from the Stadium, the proximity would shorten my drive to Fort Worth, Texas.

There would be no pre-game ritual for TDECU Stadium since it was a ‘Side Dish’ for my Pilgrimage. I would pay homage to those that have come before me on game day.

My stop in Columbus provided some rare ‘Blessings’. One never knows what awaits them on a Pilgrimage. For this post, a slightly different format will be used. Snippets of information will describe certain photos as the story is told.

The Motel Manager at the Columbus Inn was very helpful with her Texas charms. As a native of Columbus, history was shared with me. A couple of places made my stops, others remained a story. Columbus, Texas was the sight of the first court ever held in the state, the tree stump still remains. That did not make my list of stops.

This pic of the largest documented living Oak Tree in the state of Texas did.

DARRELL K. ROYAL-TEXAS MEMORIAL STADIUM HARBORS APPREHENSION–11/12/16

November 20, 2016August 27, 2023

DARRELL K. ROYAL-TEXAS MEMORIAL STADIUM HARBORS APPREHENSION–11/12/16

The University of Texas would be the starting point on my 2016 College Football Pilgrimage for four games of College Football within an 18 day period. Two travel days make up the agenda. My Pilgrimage began on Wednesday, 11/8/16 and will end upon my return home on Saturday, 11/26/16.

The main goal of each Pilgrimage and travels is to return home safely and in good health. Any and all things that I encounter are as Marcus Aurelius says ‘are there to entertain me’. For I have no control over outside forces, but only how I respond to them. I hope to leave more than I take.

My College Football Pilgrimages were ‘Inspired’ by my friend Greg who lives in Houston, Texas. During a Pitt Football game at the ‘Morgue’ disguised as Heinz Field on a Thursday night during September of 2010, Greg surprised me with a ticket for the Temple @ Penn State game on Saturday.

It had been many years, since my previous visits to Beaver Stadium as a player and Grad Assistant Football Coach for Pitt University. The Stadium had gone under numerous renovations increasing its size from 60,000 to over 100,000. Though once yearly rivals, Pitt and Penn State had not played in a football game for many years until this year.

A MID-SUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM CELEBRATION A PILGRIMAGE-6/17/16

July 5, 2016August 27, 2023

IT WAS AS BILL SHAKESPEARE DESCRIBED IT “A MID-SUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM CELEBRATION”. MARILYN MONROE IS QUOTED, “SOMETIMES GOOD THINGS FALL APART, SO BETTER THINGS CAN FALL TOGETHER”. OUR THANKS GO TO MANY OF YOU.

As I was swimming in my ‘Fishbowl’ in ‘Ye Olde’ Henderson, NV on the night of Tuesday, June 14, 2016 off into the distance, I heard a bell. The bell was a signal from my cell phone that an email had been sent to me.

Prior to this bell, as I floated in my ‘Fishbowl’, I was trying to connect the dots from where The Nick Feher ‘TAKE 5’ Foundation started to the ‘The Road Not Taken’ beginning at 6:30pm Friday night. A new relationship was to be started with ‘no guarantees’. Another relationship would go separate ways. (CAUTION THIS POST IS 10,500 WORDS)

This other relationship had completed seven years. Forces dictated that it was now time to part. It is normal to reminisce as one moves forward on the journey of life. This is an excerpt of last year JUNE 2, 2015 letter that I sent to the HLL.

*After the physical passing of Nick on November 27, 2007, and through the generosity of the ‘YE OLDE” Henderson Community, and others, a Memorial Scholarship Fund was set up in his memory. The original purpose of this Fund was to honor one senior baseball player from Basic HS who exemplified “DO YOUR VERY BEST”.Read More »»»

T-MOBILE ARENA—A GRAND OPENING ‘HISTORIC EVENT’ 4/6/16

April 28, 2016August 27, 2023

THE T-MOBILE ARENA GRAND OPENING EVENT—A PILGRIMAGE

This is a story of the Grand Opening of the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas NV on 4/6/16. Initially, my plans were to attend this ‘Historic Event’ as a spectator. However, forces created an opportunity for me to share with you my ‘Pilgrimage’.

This ‘Pilgrimage’ as compared to my College Football Pilgrimages was not as long. It was also local. As a Grand Opening, it would be ‘Historical’. Though originally announced in 2015, inner callings had me purchase two tickets in January of 2016.

The second ticket purchased, had no one particular in mind at the time. Options were considered, but nothing concrete. When making plans, including ‘Life Plans’, I always adhere to the words of Coach Jack Laraway.

Coach Laraway and I crossed paths my senior year in high school. He was God sent to me. Coach Jack was hired to be the Defensive Coordinator and Linebacker Coach during my final season at Aliquippa High School. We also shared the same birth-date, years apart.

His resume included: he was a Starter and Letter Winner at Purdue University. His line-backing skills, paved his way for a short stint in the NFL with the Houston Oilers. Coach Jack’s strategy and coaching skills elevated my game to higher levels.

Ours was a relationship, with no guarantees. However, it did produce results. This relationship assisted me in attaining a ‘Dream’ that was announced to the world when I was 12. As newspaper boy of the month for the Beaver Valley Times, my picture and my ‘Dream’ was printed for all to see and read.My 12-year-old dream was to “Attend College on a football scholarship and to become a teacher”. Coach Jack along with other coaches provided me the guidance, encouragement, and wisdom for me, so that I was able to PLAYIN MY DREAMS at Pitt University.

Most ‘Good Coaches’ provide you with the knowledge to assist you both on and off the field. It was after my senior high school football season was completed, Coach Jack opened his door for my senior teammates to visit. FOSS would take him up on his offer when opportunity knocked.

‘ALPHA FEMALE CAT’– IS IT A FABLE? WHO HAS IT?

October 30, 2015November 21, 2015

WHO HAS ‘IT’?–The Fable of the ‘Alpha Female Cat’.

As I continued sitting in my truck, slowly slipping my coffee and water, I am watching the females as they line up and enter Stoney’s. After C/L told me her theory on the Alpha Female Dog/Wolf, I did some investigation on the web. This is what I discovered after renaming the animal the ‘Alpha Female Cat’.The Alpha Female & Beta Female

Anna Madsen in Advice Mar 7, 2012 • 10:53am

Following the study on Alpha and Beta males, one finds that the same method can be conducted on women as well. In order to help you elite bachelors understand the opposite sex better and their social patterns, please find the equivalent model to provide you with information on how to distinguish the two categories. We strongly encourage you to take notes, as different strategies should be applied depending on the type of woman you choose; both for casual sex or as a future wife.

The Alpha Female
The alpha female is a tough negotiator. She knows her value, and knows there is more to her than looks. She is the leader-type and constantly surrounded by a group of admiring subordinates. Executive decisions such as where to go, what drinks to order, what guys to talk to, all fall under the jurisdiction of the alpha female.

Not necessarily the most beautiful in her circle of friends, the alpha female knows that brains are what will take her the farthest. Topics like politics, economy, business and law interests her, and she discusses these global issues without difficulty. She does not take directions from men; the alpha females make the calls. She is cynical and sarcastic in her language, but always with a certain charm.

INSPIRATION-WHAT IS ‘IT’?

October 23, 2015November 20, 2015

INSPIRATION-WHAT IS ‘IT’?

Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines ‘Inspiration’ as follows:
noun
:something that makes someone want to do something or that gives someone an idea about what to do or create: a force or influence that inspires someone.
: a person, place, experience, etc.; that makes someone want to do or create something.
: a good idea

Full Definition
1a: a divine influence or action on a person believed to qualify him or her to receive and communicate sacred revelation.
b: the act of power of moving the intellect or emotions.
c: the act of influencing or suggesting opinions.
2: the act of drawing in; specifically: the drawing of air into the lungs.
3a: the quality or state of being inspired.
b: something that is inspired <a scheme that was pure inspiration>
4: an inspiring agent or influence.

Recently, I was questioned about my topics for ‘inspiration’. Why would I choose not to write about my children, but write about others I hardly knew? The answer is simple.

Though my twin children Michael and Megan are highly accomplished and have ‘IT’, they have requested that I do not write about them on my Facebook page or my website. They both ‘inspire’ others and ‘make a difference’. Perhaps one day, a different point of view will be exposed.

When anyone asks me to not write about him or her or to them, I have learned to respect their wishes.

After being inspired by my 2015 College Football Pilgrimage, I was looking forward to sharing ‘IT’ with others at the Rubicon. In my book, ‘inspirations’ equals ‘blessing’.

NEYLAND STADIUM CREATES RESULTS

October 9, 2015November 20, 2015

Neyland Stadium-Knoxville, Tennessee Creates Results.

On October 3rd, 2015 with two teams limping in, the results would be that one team Arkansas or Tennessee would earn their first SEC win of the season. The Razorbacks were on a three game losing streak, (0-1 in the SEC) and had yet to find its trough.

The Volunteers (0-1 in the SEC) had lost three out of their last four, finding ways to give up fourteen point leads in three of them. Answers were being sought to shore up a leaky defense. Grumblings of questionable play calling with the lead in the second half filled the airwaves.

According to the University of Tennessee official Athletic website: “The present day Neyland Stadium, Shields-Watkins Field, had its beginning in 1919. Col. W.S. Shields, president of Knoxville’s City National Bank and a UT trustee, provided the initial capital to prepare and equip an athletic field. Thus, when the field was completed in March 1921, it was called Shields-Watkins Field in honor of the donor and his wife, Alice Watkins-Shields.

The stadium, apart from the field it grew to enclose, came to bear its own distinguished name — Neyland Stadium. It was named for the man most responsible for the growth and development of Tennessee’s proud football tradition. General Robert R. Neyland served as head coach from 1926-1952, with two interruptions for military service.Read More »»»

Commonwealth Stadium Produces Landmark Win!!

October 2, 2015November 20, 2015

Commonwealth Stadium-Lexington, Kentucky Produces Landmark Win!!

On Saturday, September 27, 2015, the Newly Renovated Commonwealth Stadium created the first ever SEC win with a victory over Missouri. More than 126 million dollars was spent on the ‘Transfiguration’ of the structure. Some ‘Transfiguration’s’ cost more than others.

Built in 1973, it is the newest football stadium in the Southeastern Conference, as measured by date of original construction. The original capacity for the stadium was 57,800.

In 1999 both ends of the stadium were enclosed and 40 suites were added, 10 in each corner of the stadium, resulting in a symmetrical oval bowl seating 67,530. The total cost of the expansion was $27.6 million. Seating adjustments over the next decade brought capacity to 67,942.

Recent upgrades included two LED video boards each measuring approximately 37 feet (11 m) high by 80 feet (24 m) wide (2,960 square feet), making each display the 20th-largest scoreboard in the country.

Combined, the 5,920 square feet (550 m2) made the new video boards one of the largest scoreboard systems in the country. Additionally, a new custom audio system and over 1,800 linear sq/ft of video ribbon board was implemented September 10, 2011.The
approximate cost of those upgrades totaled close to $6 million.

This new 2015 renovation includes a new press box, loge box seats, club seats, recruiting room, suites, concourses, bathrooms, lights and exterior facade while reducing capacity to around 61,000.

FRIDAY/PRE-GAME: As I am driving to the stadium, anticipation enters my system. I always go out with the same attitude. I play the role of ‘Marcus Aurelius’, wondering who or what I may encounter. What benefits will be exchanged?

LSU TIGER STADIUM-WHY IS IT CALLED DEATH VALLEY?

September 26, 2015January 16, 2017

WHY IS IT CALLED DEATH VALLEY?

On Saturday, September 19, 2015, I witnessed a football game at Tiger Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA. It was Auburn vs. LSU with a scheduled local start time of 2:30pm. CBS dictated the kickoff time. The game time temperature was 91 degrees, making it the 5th hottest game time temperature in the history of LSU football.

The heat index on the field registered 119 degrees. As the game played on, the medical staff was being taxed. There was carnage everywhere. I am not talking about the field. The carnage was laid out in the concourses and ramps of Tiger Stadium. As I looked around, I started to understand why Tiger Stadium was called ‘Death Valley’ or did I.

Before I continue, let the story unfold from Friday, the day before the game. As I drove into the lots next to Tiger Stadium, I looked for a parking place. Not wanting to get a ticket or have my rental towed, I decided to seek help.