Fan vs. Wild

If you don't alread know it yet, I am a huge fan of outdoorsy/survival shows. There is just something about being out in the wild and soaking up nature that intrigues me. One show on the Discovery Channel that I have grown very fond of is Man vs. Wild with Bear Grylls. This man and his crew have been all over the world and done the kinds of things that some people wouldn't even dream of, while other guys like me would only dream of doing...until now.
Recently, Bear has teamed up with Degree for men to select four adventure-minded guys to compete in wilderness challenges and be featured on the show in August. I hope to be one of those guys.
One of the criteria for applying is describing an extreme adventure that I've been on. Although I can't really say that I've been on an extreme adventure, there was one trip I could after graduating from high school that helped lay a foundation of outdoor adventure for me.
The summer before starting college, I went flew to Seattle, then by van and ferry to the wilderness of British Columbia. For one week, 10 of us kayaked through several Pacific inlets and experienced all that nature has to offer. I learned so much about how to enjoy our natural surrounding, while at the same time preserving it. I even learned how to dam up a creek and take the (only) bath of the week. It was truly an experience that I will forever cherish. I just wish there was an opportunity to do something even more challenging. Despite going a few backpacking trips, the past several years have been spent serving in the military and having to enjoy the outdoors with an M4 in one hand and a radio in the other! It is my hope that being chosen for this contest will open the door to a wealth of adventure and everlasting memories.

Baby Pics

Sorry! I've been meaning to add more pictures of Ellie to the blog, but just haven't gotten around to it. Here you go!

Who He's NOT

I know, I know. It's been just under a month since I've posted. I wish I could say that my duty in the Army, or an absence of Internet access is the cause for this lapse in time, but it's not. Frankly, I just haven't had much motivation. Granted, I've had a child and have a lot going on in my life, but I guess publishing my life hasn't been much of a priority for me as of late. Furthermore, I can't really even explain why I'm posting about this guy at this time. However, it might be because I've finally come to grips with the events surrounding the coaching change at my beloved academic institution.
Derek Dooley is a name that I was only made aware of after reading the ticker at the bottom of the television while watching ESPN. I had no clue who he was or what credentials he had to take over (what I believe to be) one of the biggest coaching jobs in college football. After the announcement was made and I tuned in to his press conference on the Deuce, I couldn't help but wonder what kind of morbid state of depression I might fall into over the next two or three college football seasons.
Having finally done a little homework on him, I've deduced the following:
- He's not a well known name, only his last name. His father, famed UGA head coach Vince Dooley, holds the accolades in the family.
- He's not the head coach of reputable program. In fact, LA Tech was his first head coaching position.
- He's not a former SEC player...only an assistant coach, albeit a Sabanite (at LSU and Miami).
- He wasn't even among Hamilton's top candidates, as 4 other prospects were approached prior to getting the interview.
Despite his shortcomings, this is not intended to be an assault on the new coach. Instead, it's only a list of facts that everyone has been made aware of over the past couple of weeks. What is most important about his list of negatives is this: HE'S NOT LANE KIFFIN!
Look, I'm not jumping on the bandwagon of people who hate Kiffin for leaving UT. Frankly, I wasn't too enthused that he was hired. He never seemed like a great fit with the culture and heritage of the school, town and conference. The only shining light I saw that his father, Monte, was coming to K-town. Sure, he had others like Orgeron coming as well, but Monte is arguably the greatest defensive mind in professional football. I was excited about what our defense was going to look like in the years to come.
To those who say that Kiffin abandoned the Big Orange, I say good riddance. I'd rather have a less than notable coach with character and integrity than what we got out of the 14 months Kiffin "graced us with his presence." Dooley's likely to get a pass this first season since he came in a probably he worst time ever! Moreover, he's got enough experience and motivation (not to mention a southern accent) to garner an even winning record next year, which is only one win less than Kiffin got. I'll take that any day over more sleepless nights worrying about NCAA violations!
Take care and go Dooley!

Always Second

Although there are several things I could talk about in the first blog of the new year, I can't help but discuss college football's Bowl Season. This is partly due to the fact that I've been watching EVERY SINGLE GAME thus far, since Les and I are couped up in the house adjusting to parenthood. It's also because I've been recently made aware of some prominent players who happen to share similar beliefs to me; yet, you probably wouldn't know it because the media doesn't promote it.
Ask anyone who knows of Tim Tebow and they'll tell you he's arguably one of the greatest, most influential players in the history of college football. He's a phenomenal leader and a devout Christian, as evidenced by the scripture on his eye black each week. However, there are some others on the field who may not be as influential as him on the national stage, but are just as influential with their faith. One in particular is Colt McCoy, quarterback for the Texas Longhorns and two time Heisman finalist. Sure, he's playing in the National Championship on Thursday, but he's not playing for the favored team, nor is going to garner the spotlight with Heisman winner Mark Ingram on the other side of the field.
Last year, McCoy wasn't even the best quarterback in the Big 12 Conference, as Oklahoma QB Sam Bradford bested him head to head on the field, as well as in the Heisman voting. Yet, both of these men take a back seat to Tebow's prowess with his faith. Don't get me wrong, I am so thankful for what this guy has done to college football and in preaching the Gospel, but both McCoy and Bradford are fellow believers who have spent four years in his shadow.
Today I saw a short advertisement for the website iamsecond.com, an organization that promotes putting Jesus Christ above yourself, regardless of what you've done in your life. McCoy and Bradford, along with countless others, both famous and regular people, talk about their earthly failures and how God's love and mercy have healed them. Names like Darrell Waltrip, Tony Dungy, Jason Witten, Brian Welch (former guitarist for the band Korn) and many others publicly profess their love and affection for Christ on this website and open up their lives for us to see. I view all of these as acts of courage for which all Christians should strive.
I strongly encourage you to visit this website, and possibly even join a group if you feel led. But most importantly, I hope that you will acknowledge the efforts of McCoy and Bradford in winning hearts for Christ, even if it's unbeknownst to the public eye.
Happy New Year and God Bless!