Real Challenges

Once again I was blessed with the opportunity to travel with some amazing people to Haiti on a short mission trip to share Christmas with the One Vision orphanage who had never seen snow, never seen Santa, and never heard of reindeer which would later be described to them as horses with horns that fly. This description made me hope that no one ever has to describe what a unicorn is but that is neither here nor there. A lot of times on a trip like this one you go into it thinking how you may be able to go and show Christ to the people you meet and wonder just how God is going to work and speak through you to meet the needs of those you come in contact with.

This was my second trip to Haiti and the same thing happened. God spoke through the kids that I worked with to reveal more about myself that I had ever imagined. Just as was the case last time I went, I know without a doubt that my place is on the mission field. I don't know where quite yet and while it isn't what I want to do I know that if I am patient God will reveal that in his time as well. This post is about something that I feel will affect all 22 of the people that I had the absolute pleasure of traveling with.

Both times I have traveled I have gotten so jacked up about going to a place and sharing the Gospel and winning all these people to Christ and then writing a book about how everyone else should go to a foreign country, get sick as a dog, but do it for the Lord and just be an all around great person for doing it. Some of that was obviously in jest but the main point is true. Many times we get so amped about traveling x amount of miles to bring glory to the kingdom of God. Something we hardly ever are able to get excited about though is what happens after we get back? Is it not true to say that even if you are red hot for God for 5 days on a mission trip, but ice cold once you get back in the states, you are lukewarm on average. If this is the case, which I believe it is, Revelation 3:15-16 states, "I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth." This warning is terrifying but needed. I think a lot of times we get caught up in thinking about how hard it is to go to a place where no one knows us, where we have to take cold showers and deal with heat with no air conditioning, eating food we have no idea of what it is, and getting things stuck in our feet when we are trying to swim. We think all these things are so difficult, but the real difficulty lies ahead of us when we return home. I'm not saying that any of those things are easy, but honestly which would you rather do, sit your best friend or co-worker down who you know does not follow after Christ and have a heart to heart with them over a slice of pizza, or travel 1400 miles to a place where no one knows you and tell them how much Jesus loves them then leave and have the possibility there that you will never see them again.

Now is when we are in the mission field just as much as when my team and I were in Haiti. Now is when people know my background, people know what my short comings are, people know what I stand for and how I still fall victim to sin. It's now that the real battle begins. If I really sit down and think and am honest about why I want to go back right now, it's because I don't want to face the judgement that will fall upon me as soon as I walk through the doors of work tomorrow. There is a higher standard now of what is expected of me and I don't want the responsibility of living up to that because its hard and because I am weak. The guys I work with know what I have done before the trip, they know how some things are easy for me to fall into, and I am 100% confident that they will try very quickly to get me there again. Making it harder will be the jeers that will come when they use this trip as a guilt thing saying things like, "Well now he has gone to Haiti and doesn't want to do anything now." or something of that nature. My test is not trying to combat that. Christ says in John 15:18 that "if the world hates you, know that it has hated me before you." I can take comfort in that but above all know that no matter what is thrown at me, the Love of Christ and mercy and grace of my God covers all that. It's the decisions I make moving forward that will really be what this trip is all about. I am called to foreign missions, and I know I will be somewhere over seas eventually, but right now I am in a mission field. Right now is the best chance my team and I will have to show the love of Christ. We are in a country where we love the food, we are not battling heat, we are not having to fight a language barrier, and we know how to approach those that are closest to us.

I keep repeating a verse over and over in my head to remind myself not to get so caught up about when I am getting back to Haiti or when I am finally going to be on the mission field over seas. Matthew 6:34 reminds me that there are going to be enough trouble and things to worry about in the next 24 hours that I have no time to dwell on tomorrow. I can do that in the morning, right now I need to focus on what is in front of me, be it children that I love in Haiti or co workers that get on my nerves at the office. At the end of Matthew Jesus tells us all what we are supposed to do as Christians saying, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." Our call as Christians is to be a missionary where we are. My prayer for my team and I is that we don't get so caught up in wanting to go back or remembering what happened and what we were able to be a part of so much that we miss opportunities to have and share that EXACT same joy here in Knoxville or Nashville or Maryville or Sevierville or where ever we may be. My hope is that the bonds that were formed over the last 5 days will be lasting and not fleeting, so that when one of us becomes tired, the other 21 will build them up and give them the push they need to look to Jesus to give them the strength to carry on, knowing that whether in this life or in the next they will see Fabi, Love Dina, Kervin, Dernise, MacKene, Francis, or whoever the child was that they loved on for three days was again. Not only will they see them but it will be just like stepping off the bus again except infinitely better. I hope my team and I can hold fast to the everlasting hope we have in a Savior that covers all transgressions if we just ask and believe. I hope that we continue on now that we are back with the same love and focus here as we had in Haiti, and I pray that no matter what we remember this past weekend for reasons that go far beyond how cute the kids were. God truly is raising a generation that is going to do great things, and it isn't just the one that left from Knoxville on Friday.

Saturdays In The Fall - Vanderbilt vs. Tennessee

In a game that was do or die for the Vols, James Franklin brought in one of the best Vanderbilt teams in a long time to square off against arguably the worst Tennessee team ever. I knew this would be a tough game and honestly I was quite worried. However I also knew that with a win in this game, a sure fire win in Kentucky next week would put Tennessee at 6-6 on the season and send the Vols to a bowl game for the third straight year. I went to the game with my dad and when we got to our seats in the stadium I knew right away it would be interesting because about 3 rows in front of me there was a former Vanderbilt offensive linemen. Upon further inquiry I learned that he had played for the 'Dores during the 2005 season in which Vanderbilt won.

The game started out in Tennessee's favor. After Vandy got the ball to start, a Jordan Rodgers fumble gave the ball to the Vols and they were able to stroll right down the field on three plays and punch the ball across the goal line on a 2 yard scamper by Tauren Poole. Vols lead early 7-0. Tennessee got the ball back on a Jordan Rogers interception made by Austin Johnson but an interception thrown by Bray put Vandy in business and Zac Stacey scored one play later on a 6 yard run. Tennessee was able to gain the halftime lead however when Tyler Bray threw a brilliant pass to Da'Rick Rogers to put the Vols up 14-7 at halftime.

In the third quarter Vandy tied the game when Tyler Bray tried to zip one across the middle to Mychael Rivera but his pass was intercepted and taken 100 yards the other way to tie the game at 14. Vanderbilt took the lead in the forth quarter when Jordan Rodgers hit Chris Boyd with 12:21 left in the game and Vanderbilt looked like they may pull off the win. Tennessee took the ball down to the redzone on the ensuing drive, but on a field goal attempt by Parlady that first looked blocked, then after review showed that a Vandy player did not touch the ball, Tennessee benefited from a running into the kicker call and on 4th down, Bray hit Rogers who made a ridiculous catch, tying the game at 21 and eventually being the play that sent the game into overtime.

Reminded me of catches I used to make in my old playing days. . .

In overtime Tennessee won the toss and elected to go on defense first. Vandy came down to play at our end of the field. After picking up a first down, on third and 6 Jordan Rodgers again looked for his tight end on an out route. This time Nashville native Eric Gordon was there to pick the pass off and return it 94 yards for a game clinching touchdown. The only problem was that a ref had blown him down at the 6. Tennessee was going to have to come back out on offense and try to win the game. Just before the Vols took a snap the play was reviewed. Confusion rang throughout the stadium as it seemed Tennessee was about to get screwed out of another win. However this time vindication arrived in the form of the head referee announcing that Gordon's knee had not touched the ground, and that the touchdown would stand. Tennessee won an overtime thriller 27-21 and would now travel to Lexington to try and beat Kentucky for the 27th year in a row to make them bowl eligible.

I've never been so happy to be Vanderbilt. This is where we are.

Saturdays In The Fall - Tennessee vs. Arkansas

Not really a whole lot to comment on with this game. Tennessee was out played and out matched. For a second towards the end of the first half I honestly thought that maybe Tennessee could pull an upset. Arkansas was extremely hyped for the game and it was obvious that Tennessee just couldn't match it. Tennessee got the ball to start the game but after a promising drive stalled, Arkansas quickly moved the ball down the field and ended up converting a third and goal to score.

From the Tyler Wilson pass to Wright for the first touchdown, to the 23 yard De'Anthony Curtis run for the final touchdown, Arkansas was absolutely the better team all night long. What was also obvious was the fact that they had more experienced players and all around better athletes. Tennessee will be here in a year or two, but right now it just was not meant to be. Arkansas's McAdams had quite possibly the more impressive punt return I have ever seen.

Arkansas got the scoring started when after a lengthy Tennessee drive that was snuffed out, Arkansas quickly went right down the field and Tyler Wilson found Jarius Wright for a seven yard touchdown pass. Tennessee had to punt on its next possession and that is when Joe Adams broke no less that 62 tackles and sprinted down the sideline for a 60 yard punt return for a touchdown. At the end of the first quarter it was Arkansas 14, Tennessee 0.

The second quarter didn't start any better. On the second play of an Arkansas drive, Dennis Johnson broke through a gap and after Tennessee didn't wrap up he was on his way to a 70 yard gain with a touchdown at the end of it. As halftime approached Tennessee seemed to be getting it together. Worley found Neal on a 50 yard bomb and then Neal finished the drive with an 11 yard run for a touchdown. The Vols went into the locker room down 21-7.

The third quarter dashed all hopes of the Vols possibly winning. Johnson busted off a 15 yard run for a touchdown after Wilson found wright on a 26 yard pass. Joe Adams scored again when Wilson found him on a 40 yard touchdown pass after Tennessee couldn't convert on a 4th and one from their own 40. Tennessee could not do anything positive and the fourth quarter included more of the same. Broderick Green got in on the act by starting an Arkansas drive with a 40 yard run then finished it by being on the receiving end of a Tyler Wilson pass for a touchdown. De'Anthony Curtis finished the scoring when he scampered in from 23 yards out, setting the final score of 49-7 in the Razorback's favor. Tennessee now has to win their last two games against a tough Vandy squad and then at Kentucky in order to be bowl eligible. This could get interesting.

Luckily no more of these types of athletes.

Saturdays In The Fall - Middle Tennessee State vs. Tennessee

So this week's game started at 7pm with the game I actually wanted to watch more starting at 8pm. By my count I would be able to watch the 4th quarter if Tennessee was able to put it away early and the fans left allowing traffic to be light. After getting to campus my dad informed me that we would be able to upgrade our seats with his boss and sit in the Tennessee Terrace for this game. To me that meant one thing, TV's inside a warm atmosphere. I was also pretty excited about getting to check out the new Terrace that had only been open about two years. We got our new tickets and headed to Phillip Fulmer Way to see the Salute to the Hill performed by the band. Something I had forgotten was that the Alumni Band marched in front of the Pride on homecoming weekend so that was something we had to endure.

Once you're out of the Pride, you shouldn't be allowed to march. When was the last time Carl Pickens ran a post route for the Vols?

Once we finally got inside the stadium I was amazed at how large and open the terrace was. HUGE orange shaded pictures lined the inside above the walkway in what seemed like an 80 foot ceiling. My biggest concern was locating the TV's, but while I was looking for that, I noticed an open taco bar. This had to be heaven. Once the game started and it was apparent that Worley was going to throw for nothing short of 500 yards and 8 touchdowns, I decided to just take in the whole experience. I was living with the kings. For one moment I was able to look down on the peasants in the cheap seats and feel like royalty. Once Tennessee had built a comfortable lead I walked outside to see how Alabama was doing. I also wanted to take in the view of Peyton Manning Pass from the large bow window area that hung over Phillip Fulmer Way. I have no idea how much the entire project cost but I do know that it is money well spent.

Glad I was able to enjoy a real game while Tennessee had the exhibition outside. WHERE IS MY TACO?!?!?!

Honestly I couldn't tell you one thing about this week's game. I remember Da'Rick Rogers making a catch that seemed unbelievable and making me wonder why he couldn't have made that catch last week against South Carolina. Worley took a huge step forward all be it against a team that at it's best is still really bad. With Arkansas on the horizon the entire team will need to take another big step forward and hopefully walk into Arkansas poised to snatch up the upset. It was nice to get a win but unfortunately Tennessee is still a really bad football team without Tyler Bray and Justin Hunter. No matter the record though, it's always great to be a Tennessee Vol.

Ain't no smoggy smoke on Rocky Top, ain't alot of wins as well.

Saturdays In The Fall - South Carolina vs. Tennessee

The final shot for Tennessee not to go 0 for October in the SEC came Saturday when South Carolina limped into Neyland Stadium. Marcus Lattimore was out for the season with a torn ACL and Stephen Garcia had one too many and had been kicked off the team. Connor Shaw had taken over at quarterback and Alshon Jeffery was struggling at wide out. However, there is nothing like a Tennessee secondary to make your woes in the passing game get better it seems. I went into the game fully expecting Tennessee to give up nothing short of 300 yards receiving to Jeffery.

Tennessee started the game right where they left off in Alabama. Three and out, punt, but this time the receiver of the punt was not very good at catching, and pulling his best impression of a Tennessee punt returner from 2010 he allowed the ball to bounce off his chest and onto the turf. Tennessee recovered and after they were stuffed on three straight plays, Michael Parlady came on to bang home a 22 yard field goal. After this small victory, the exercise in futility continued.

After the two teams exchanged punts a few times Tennessee finally got back into a position to allow Parlady to try another field goal that would put Tennessee ahead 6-0. This time the 47 yard attempt was blocked and the teams exchanged punts again. Tennessee's defense was playing great, until on a forth and one play the secondary got caught looking run and allowed the Carolina tight end Anderson to break free. Shaw found him for a touchdown and South Carolina took the lead 7-3. On the following series Tennessee had a third and one play from the South Carolina 44. Worley dropped back to pass and had Rogers down the sideline. Worley couldn't have put the ball in a better place, tight spiral, just over the defender, right into the hands of Da'Rick Rogers for what would have been a Tennessee touchdown if Da'Rick hadn't allowed the ball to go right through his hands. More punts ensued and Tennessee went into the half down 7-3.

Oh what could have been.

To open the third quarter Dooley chose to try an onside kick. The ball bounced out of bounds and South Carolina started with excellent field position. Shaw threw pass straight to Prentis Waggner though and Waggner took off down the field. The entire time he was running I think everyone in the stadium was thinking the same thing, GET INTO THE ENDZONE!!! It was not meant to be though, and Waggner was tackled at the three yard line. On the first play Poole was stuffed three yards deep and then on play two Worley threw an interception. South Carolina then proceeded to go on a drive lasting 20 plays, and covering 98 yards, ending in a touchdown when Shaw scored on a QB draw play from five yards out. Tennessee was now down 14-3 going into the forth quarter after running just four plays in the entire third quarter.

In the forth quarter Tennessee seemed to be loosing ground fast when South Carolina began another drive that looked to be one able to run the clock down again when Brian Randolph forced a fumble and Tennessee recovered. Worley ended any thought of Tennessee maybe making a comeback when on the first play from scrimmage he threw his second interception of the game. A three and out for South Carolina, followed by an unproductive drive lead by Matt Simms, lead to South Carolina being able to run out the clock and win 14-3.

Guess we are still watering the bamboo. Just keep watering.

Saturdays In The Fall - Tennessee vs. Alabama

The third Saturday in October. Which actually is now technically the forth Saturday in October. Either way, this is one of the most storied rivalries in college football and the older I get the more I am beginning to appreciate the opportunities I get to witness it live. It was a no brainer then that I had to jump on the chance to head down to Tuscaloosa with a couple of my friends to watch Tennessee take on the Crimson Tide in Bryant Denny. I had been down once before and all I remember was how much the Alabama fans A) loved and worshiped Bear Bryant and B) were incredibly awful hosts. That was when they were bad. I could only imagine what it was going to be like now that they were good.

Jordan and Phil met me at my apartment around 9 and we were on our way to watch either one of the biggest losses in Tennessee history, or one of the biggest upsets. We stopped in Birmingham for some ribs at Dreamland BBQ then back on the road we went. When we got to Tuscaloosa I was pretty floored with how evident the damage from the tornado was even 6 months after it had ripped through in April. there was a very clear path leveled through the middle of Tuscaloosa.

We drove right down the middle of University Blvd. and caught plenty of stink eyes seeing as how we had our Tennessee flags flying from the car. I feel comfortable in saying that we were three of the bravest souls there for about 30 minutes. We parked about 6 blocks away from the stadium and to my surprise the first Alabama fan we came in contact with was extremely inviting and just when I began to debate if I had fallen into some type of paradox, another Alabama fan went out of his way to welcome us to town and wished us well. Surely the rapture was next, as the lamb was laying down with the lion. It didn't take long for things to change. Shortly after these encounters we made our way to Denny Chimes and I got separated from Jordan and Phil. I asked a fan who was tailgating with his friends if I could cut through in order to catch up. He said sure but after I did this another one of his buddies made it very clear he was unhappy with my action. After cussing me out and threatening my face, I told him he didn't have the intestinal fortitude to back up his threats.

I will say, Alabama's campus is surprisingly beautiful. Very obvious that it is southern.

It was finally time for the game to start, and it couldn't have started any better. Alabama got the ball to start the game, then out of no where Austin Johnson intercepted an AJ McCarron pass and Tennessee was in business. Parlady kicked a field goal and Tennessee was on the board first. That's right. Tennessee was leading the Alabama Crimson Tide. In order for Alabama to win this game they were going to have to come back and win. If I wasn't sitting in the stratosphere I would have taken a picture but the scoreboard was about a half mile away so it was not happening.

Alabama answered with two field goals but with about three minutes to go in the half Parlady hit his second field goal of the game, this time from 52 yards out. Tennessee was doing something to Alabama that no one has been able to do all year, be within 14 points of them at halftime. The score was 6-6 going into the break. The Pride of the Southland Band won the halftime battle by performing the circle drill. That is always a crowd favorite.

The best part is leaving the field in the form of a giant Power T.

Alabama came out looking like the team we all knew they were. What surprised me more than anything was after they scored their first touchdown, some random Alabama girl ran up about 6 rows, got in my face throwing the bird, and cussed me out. I had never met her before in my life, and she passed 6 rows of Vol fans to get to me. I must have really made an impression on her. It was the most bizarre thing I have ever witnessed in my life. The assault of points continued and after the Tennessee defense looked so good in the first half, the Vols looked equally terrible in the second. Alabama dominated in every facet of the game during the second half. The final score was 37-6 meaning Alabama covered the spread. Jordan, Phil, and I all left the stadium defeated.

More Alabama high jinx ensued as while we were walking down the ramp with the 99,000 other people that were at the game, one Alabama fan decided Jordan wasn't moving fast enough for him and ran right up his back, then informed him he should walk instead of texting. Where do you want us to go Usain Bolt. We can only move as fast as the people in front of us. While walking down University some Alabama sorostitutes made it known that they could not wait for the puke orange to be out of their city. News flash hun, we are even more eager to be out of this crap hole. Glad we are back in Knoxville for the next two weeks. Fayetteville looms.

Every time I see the Alabama state flag, I wonder how long it took some of Alabama's finest to think of that design. "Guys, I got it! A red x!"

Saturdays In The Fall - LSU vs. Tennessee

This was the start of the two week gauntlet. First Tennessee was taking on the top team in the country with LSU coming into Knoxville, then traveled to face the second best team in the country in Tuscaloosa. Three of our top players were missing after Janzen Jackson was dismissed from the team and then Justin Hunter being injured and lost for the year. Follow that with the Tyler Bray injury and you had a recipe for a terrible outcome for Tennessee.

The more I started thinking about the game, the more I started to think about how during every national championship season there is always that one game that is close one you should have won bigger or the game where the team you lost to had no business being in the game. Why couldn't that be us? Why not now? The closer it got to kickoff, the more I honestly started to truly believe that at the end of the game I would be on the field helping to rip down the goal posts. It is frustrating to see the team you love have so much talent only to not have the depth and experience to close games out. The first quarter couldn't have started any better, and it only gave me hope that maybe this could happen. However Matt Simms threw and interception that was returned 95 yards to the Tennessee to set up a Jarrett Lee pass to Reuben Randle for a touchdown, putting LSU ahead 7 - 0 early in the 1st.

No matter how hype you are coming out of the tunnel, you still have to play the game. Sometimes the emotion just isn't enough.

LSU put another touchdown on the board after Tennessee had a three and out. Jarrett Lee found Spencer Ware for the touchdown this time and it looked as though Tennessee was starting to fade. Things looked to have taken a turn for the worse when LSU intercepted another Simms pass but luckily wasn't able to capitalize and the Vols came out on the next drive and surprised everyone. Tennessee had a 12 play drive that consisted of 8 running plays and covered 80 yards. FINALLY Tennessee had something that resembled a running game. Unfortunately that joy was short lived as LSU was able to close out the first half by driving down the field seemingly with ease, kicking a field goal to take a 17-7 lead into the locker room for halftime.

Things didn't get any better in the second half. LSU opened with a scoring drive that was highlighted by Jordan Jeffereson's first appearance in this game and capped off by Spencer Ware punching it in from a yard out. Tennessee tried to answer but after a Matt Simms pass fell incomplete, Matt Darr pinned the Tigers down at the LSU one yard line. LSU proceeded to absolutely define the term "cramming it down their throat." The Tigers went 99 yards in 17 plays without completing a pass making the score 31-7 Tigers and essentially ending the game. LSU would end up scoring once more making the final 38-7 but it was over as soon as Tennessee couldn't answer the bell after LSU made the game 24-7.

Tennessee is making improvements and no one can argue that point. However it is also extremely apparent that the Vols have a ways to go before they are competing with the top teams in the conference. One has to assume that next year the offense will be much better and the defense will improve and depth will build. The only sticking point is that the fans and administration stand behind this coaching staff and understand what they inherited. Obviously time will tell but I can't wait to see Dooley and his orange pants hoisting the SEC championship trophy in a few years and I have full confidence in his ability to make it happen.

Keep your head up, better days are ahead.

Saturdays in the Fall - Georgia vs. Tennessee

This was the game that Tennessee had been hoping for. The one that would finally justify the hiring of Dooley and show that in fact Tennessee was on the upswing. I mean after all we had one of the best quarterbacks in the nation as well as one of the top receivers and Georgia's style of play was catered more towards running which is something our defense was pretty good against. These all played into why I was actually pretty excited about this week's game. Plus it was a sellout. How much more could you ask for?

One of my friends, Andy was meeting me at my apartment and we had a friend who had docked at the Vol Navy whom we were going to go hang out with before the game. I had never actually been to the Vol Navy in the 24 years I had been a fan. Honestly it was a neat experience. Curtis had what I would call a decent sized boat. That was before I looked at it in context. Flanked by two 100 foot house boats this thing looked like a dingy. I was also impressed with how everyone in the Vol Navy worked together.

Curtis learned a valuable lesson. Don't park a small boat between two huge houseboats or you may die from a death pit of carbon monoxide.

Finally it was gametime. I snuck over into the student section to sit with some friends who had seats on about the 45 yard line. This was supposed to be a great place to be to watch Dooley get that first big win. Tennessee won the toss and I fully expected Tennessee to stop the Bulldogs and then go down and score to take the lead and it would be on from there. However that is not at all what happened. Tennessee kicked off to Georgia and then Georgia, led by Aaron Murray, went on a 15 play drive that took exactly 5 and a half years off the clock only to cap it off with a field goal. Tennessee then countered with their own 14 play to miss a field goal and with 2:44 left in the first quarter and Georgia ahead 3-0 I decided it was time for me to shave.

Georgia came out with a 10 play drive that ended in a punt this time and Tennessee was able to put together a drive that lasted seven minute and ended when Michael Parlady nailed a field goal. The scoring bonanza was in full swing with the score tied at 3. I could sorta feel however that Georgia was just ready to break the game open. Tennessee was really showing that they did have other weapons on offense with Mychael Rivera really stepping up and making some big plays, but there were multiple times when a Georgia reciever was about 40 yards down field behind everyone but Murray had just over thrown them. Georgia was able to drive down the field and knock through yet another field goal with only about a minute and a half left in the first half. I was really impressed with how the Vols were able to answer though, putting together a solid drive with Parlady putting up three points again as time expired in the first half. Tennessee was going to be getting the ball back in the second half tied with Georgia. I was liking our chances.

The halftime show was awful. It was a ripoff from The Wizard of Oz. The only good part was when the band made a tornado, which I thought would have been more appropriate for the game with Alabama.

Tennessee started the second half with a three and out, punted to Georgia, and Georgia needed only eight plays to put it into the endzone on a drive capped by an Isaiah Crowell run from a yard out. Tennessee was able to answer with a short possession ending with a Matt Darr punt that was downed at the Georgia seven yard line. Great special teams play led only to a defensive break down when letting Georgia recievers get past the secondary finally bit Tennessee. Murray found Mitchell for a huge gain on a post pattern and then two plays later Crowell was scampering into the endzone again from 17 yards out.

The teams exchanged punts until about 6 minutes left in the fourth. Bray was hurt on an earlier possession when his hand connected with a Georgia helmet, fracturing his thumb and bringing Matt Simms into the game. Amazingly Simms was able to lead Tennessee down the field fairly quickly and after a long 4th down conversion, Simms punched it in for a touchdown. Parlady proceeded to kick the extra point straight up the centers back end and the score stook at 20-12. The onside kick was a disaster but the defense stood tall and Tennessee would have one last chance, getting the ball back with 18 seconds left. The first play was an incomplete pass and the last play of the game was something Vol fans were very familiar with, Simms being sacked. These next three weeks could be really tough.

Alot of this lies ahead. Buckle down Simms. God speed.

Saturdays In The Fall - Buffalo vs. Tennessee

When I heard that Tennessee had added Buffalo to the schedule I was extremely happy. I was excited that I was going to have a chance to see Tennessee play one of the major programs in the country and it would also bring a lot of much needed publicity to the Vols. Oh wait. That was with the team originally scheduled to play in this game, North Carolina. Buffalo on the other hand is only slightly better than Maryville High School and brings absolutely zero publicity. I didn't have to work today which made it easier for me to make it to the game. The Tennessee Fund held their donor day where they supply breakfast for donors. My parents donate to the University so I was able to eat free breakfast. I was expecting maybe a sausage biscuit and some fruit with an orange juice or something. Instead I got a small biscuit with a dab of gravy, some type of pumpkin pastry, and an apple with sweet tea to drink. Sweet Tea for breakfast is not natural. That's the kind of stuff that went on at Guantanamo to get people to talk. Someone really dropped the ball here.

When I entered the stadium I noticed something that I had never in my life seen before. There was a band sitting directly across the aisle from the Pride of the Southland. Turns out it was the Dobyns Bennett High School marching band. Immediately I knew that a high school band was going to out perform a college marching band. Sure enough halftime went to the DB band. Amazing.

Game started and as anyone would have figured, Buffalo couldn't move the ball and had to punt. This meant Devrin Young was going to have a chance to do his thing. Young fielded the punt and instantly became better than any punt returner Tennessee has had in over 2 years. After doing this, he then actually returned the punt 43 yards. Kid is amazing. He will house one before the end of the year. You heard it here first. Tennessee went on to score on an end around to Rajon Neal and the route was on.

Kid will house one. I'm telling you. Maybe even against Georgia. It's gonna happen.

On Tennessee's second drive a big run by Tauren Poole eventually led to a Tyler Bray touchdown pass to Da'Rick Rogers. Rogers caught the ball right at the goal line and fell back into the field of play. This led to the guy sitting in front of me to explain just what has to happen to constitute a touchdown. Apparently the ball has to cross the goal line in order for the points to go on the board. Who knew?

Tennessee gave up a stupid touchdown on a read option play where the Buffalo quarterback scampered something like WAY TOO FAR for a touchdown untouched. Tennessee followed that up with another pass from Bray to Rogers. Rogers caught the ball around the 40, then carried a Buffalo defender to the 20. Parlady tacked on a field goal and Tennessee ended the first quarter up 17-7.

In the second quarter Bray hit Rogers on a post pattern, Rogers caught a block from Zach Rodgers, and was forced out of bounds at the Buffalo 30 yard line. That play led to Bray hitting Da'Rick on a slant for a touchdown. One thing led to another, Tennessee found itself on offense, and then Bray found Arnett for his first career touchdown catch. Tennessee led at halftime 31-7.

Tennessee added another touchdown in the third quarter when Bray found Arnett again for the score, then both teams hit field goals in the forth quarter to make the final score 41-10. By far the play of the game was when Tennessee tried to punt, Buffalo rushed one guy, that one guy blocked the punt, the ball died right in front of Darr, Darr picked up the ball, then rumbled for the first down. So many things were wrong with that play. Tennessee did what it needed to though and now a date with Georgia looms on the horizon. I'm sure the same thing would have happened had Tennessee played North Carolina this week as well.

Matt Darr you resembled Hershel Walker running down the field. In the sense that you were running, on a football field.

Saturdays in the Fall - Southern Cal vs. Arizona St

I am 97% certain that if you are reading this blog you hate Lane Kiffin. I don't mean that type of hate where you aren't a fan of cole slaw on your BBQ pulled pork sandwich hate. I mean that kind of hate where you would sacrifice your own vehicle because the person that just passed you doing 104 mph while texting cut you off and decided it was time to slow it down to 35 while there is now two semi trucks on each side of you so you can't pass type of hate. For this reason I decided the Southern Cal versus Arizona State game in Tempe would be the perfect game to document since Tennessee was off this week. I blamed Lane Kiffin for the 10:15 EST kickoff time instead of the time zone difference. They could have kicked off at noon and made this easier on everyone. Kiffin deserves that hellish time slot anyway. It's a little known fact that Kiffin caused that Tsunami in Japan. Remember, "USC is a very powerful place." and can keep stuff like that on the down low. Regardless I pulled up the game on ESPN3.com. I watched it online because I didn't want to help the ratings of the game. I'm not sure if internet viewers count, but I'm working under the assumption that they don't. If someone knows differently please tell me. Kickoff finally rolled around and away we went.

1st Quarter

Forth play from scrimmage, Arizona St tailback Marshall scampers 70 yards for a touchdown. The shocker symbol appears no less than 80 times in the student section. Arizona State has to be the most perverted student body in the nation and that's saying something. They say the hand gesture is a trident. . . but we know.

Someone please tell me how in the world that is a trident. Honestly.

My God what a hit. Sun Devil receiver Jamal Miles caught a pass out in the flat and took off down the sidelines. USC safety TJ McDonald punished him with a brutal hit. Miles' feet flew out from under him. Sure it was an illegal hit, whatever, I bet Miles will think twice when getting into McDonald's territory next time.

Que the dust storm. A 50 mph wind appears out of no where basically making it impossible to throw the ball. All of a sudden this game is taking part in a land fill with trash flying everywhere.

2nd Quarter

Great catch for a touchdown by Gerrell Robinson for Arizona State. Ball was on his outside shoulder and he made a play against pass interference to make the play. 14-3 Sun Devils and I am very happy to be watching Lane Kiffin get what is his.

I love that at the beginning of the game the commentators are all but drooling over Matt Barkley. Barkley throws interception. Barkley is now a quarterback who has been struggling as of late. Sun Devils drive quick and score again. 21-6 Arizona State. Halftime score is 21-9, things are looking good.

3rd Quarter

Struggling to stay awake. I hate the PAC-12.

Obviously this Oregon St. player is from the East Coast. This was the 2nd quarter of a game that kicked off at 3pm PST, which is about 1am EST.

USC finally puts a ball in the endzone. Barkley finds Marqise Lee who makes a pretty good diving catch for the score. 21-16 now. Every time USC scores somewhere a kitten dies.

Tyler Marc scampers into the endzone for a touchdown to put USC up 22-21, goes for 2 and doesn't convert. I instantly question humanity. If things were right in the world USC would not be leading.

Humanity is restored. Arizona State drives down the field and scores on a short run by Marshall and Arizona State leads again 28-22.

4th Quarter

USC gets it into the red zone then fumbles after Barkley waits too long trying to pass. Arizona State hasn't beaten USC in 11 years and the one time in that span that I decide to watch the game, with 10 minutes left, they are in a great position to do just that.

Arizona State recovers a fumble and then Marshall takes it into the endzone to make it a two score ball game. On the two point try receiver Mike Willie made an unbelievable one handed grab while the USC defender was flagged for interference. Lane Kiffin was arguing the ball was uncatchable. I'm no genius but I felt as though this argument was void seeing as how Willie did in fact make the catch. Arizona State got to retry the conversion attempt since Willie was just out of bounds when he made the catch and they converted on an end around. 36-22 Sun Devils.

Pick six. Shelly Lyons jumps on an errant Matt Barkley throw and takes it to the house. I couldn't be more happy right now. 43-22 Sun Devils.

Remember that time Troy fell back in 1184 BC? I don't believe that was as painful to watch as what is going on in Tempe right now.

This is what the Sun Devils took to the stadium. . . Troy never stood a chance.

Time expires. Sun Devils win 43-22. I am SO glad I stayed up to watch this game. Arizona State was on a mission tonight. That mission was to use and abuse Lane Kiffin. Mission accomplished.

Saturdays in the Fall - Tennessee vs. Florida

The entire week leading up to the game in The Swamp I had been trying to temper my expectations, but the closer the game got, the more excited I became because I realize how hard it is to cover just one great receiver. When you throw a receiver into the mix who is arguably one of the best if not the best in the country, pair him with another very talented receiver, it makes one pass offense that is near impossible to defend. When you have that, it really opens up your running game so I knew Tennessee had a very good chance to end the six game skid against the Gators.

I had a couple of friends over to watch the game and had a miscue early while ordering the pizzas. I thought that one of them asked for a pineapple and ham pizza when what he basically said was, "Don't get that." It was ok though, we are a veteran bunch and would be able to power through this early mistake. Florida got the ball to start the half, and I think the play scripting was something like this: Screen right, screen right, run middle, pass left, stuffed, stuffed, pass to a wide open Trey Burton for a touchdown. It was fine though, no worries, we knew that Tennessee's explosive offense would respond. The Vols opened up with a nice run from Poole, then a few plays later Bray hit an open Justin Hunter. When Hunter turned up field, the Volunteers season changed dramatically. From all indications Hunter tore his ACL and will now be out for the remainder of the season.

I threw up a little in my mouth as soon as I saw the kid hit the ground.

From that point on it was obvious that Tennessee was a wounded duck. When you are able to bracket Da'Rick Rogers on the edge and put what seemed like the other 9 guys in the box to stop the run there isn't really much that an offense can do. Tennessee probably should have just packed it up and came back to Knoxville right then. Kentucky's offense was even shaking it's head at Tennessee's inability to move the ball up field. The first punt of the game didn't make anything any better either. Parlady took the snap and I am pretty sure Chris Rainey was disguised as the upback with how fast he got back in to block the punt. Justin Wilcox and the defense couldn't have played much better in the first half with the situations they were put in. If there was ever any question if his system would work in the SEC, I think its obvious it will, and we will be lucky if we are able to keep him around.

If it wasn't Rainey, it was going to be one of the other 10 guys that bust through the line like a jailbreak.

Florida was only able to muster a few field goals and on their final drive of the half, Tennessee abandoned the running game, and on a play where Florida had a 0 blitz on (for you that play NCAA 12 it would be Engage 8) Bray found Marlin Lane wide open and Tennessee SOMEHOW was able to get into the half only trailing 16-7. This is a manageable score. Especially since Tennessee got the ball to start the second half. They could score to make it 16-14, and then we would be on our way to picking up the win. God obviously just didn't want Tennessee to win however. That is the only way you can explain all that went wrong. Bray made his first big mistake and threw an interception to start the second half. Florida scored a touchdown shortly after that. Tennessee of course couldn't do anything on offense and then Brantley gave Verne Lundquist a reason to drool. That reason was a 3 yard lob pass to Chris Rainey who went another 80 yards for a touchdown.

Dooley put it best, "It looked like Rainey was out there running in the Olympics." I'm sure the only other person to see him run like that was his ex-girlfriend.

The young Tennessee team did show some incredible resiliency battling back after being down 30-7. Da'Rick Rogers caught a 12 yard touchdown pass from Bray but a two point conversion was no good after. Mychal Rivera also caught a touchdown pass. Trailing by 10 late in the forth however, Bray threw his second pick of the game and Florida was able to run out the clock.

There is obvious improvement with this football team. But there is also an obvious gap that needs to be closed between the Vols and other elite teams in the conference. What is encouraging though is that you can see that gap closing. While it would have been nice to have beaten the Gators yesterday, I think it is important to note that this team is better than last year and probably better than any Tennessee team in the last few years. The fact that it is made up of a ton of young players is also very encouraging. The loss of Hunter though is huge. Prior to the season I thought this team would be able to go 8-4. Now it's looking more like 7-5. With Hunter I have no doubt in my mind that the Vols beat the Gators Saturday. Without Hunter, I wonder what big time opponent left on the Vols schedule will be beatable. Only time will tell.

Saturdays In The Fall - Cincinnati vs. Tennessee

It would be extremely hard to beat how beautiful it was to start the day Saturday. Of course I got to spend the morning working but I was still excited about the game. It seemed like everyone that walked into the office was heading to tailgate which got me even more amped because that meant the crowd would be bigger than last week. We had to go and pick up some cars at the airport after we closed and I discovered where the Cincinnati team stayed. The Hyatt at the airport. It was information that would have been great to have known on Friday but what's done is done.

I checked the weather report this week before heading to the stadium. High of 85, sunny with only a few clouds, 10% chance of rain. With this knowledge now at my disposal, I grabbed a backpack and stuffed it full of Ziploc bags, Rain jacket and pants, towels, and a blow up dingy. I wasn't going to get fooled again.

I got to the stadium a bit late and basically just had to go straight to the stadium. Unable to meet up with any of my com padres who were in the student section, I ended up sitting with my dad for the first half. After Cincinnati broke off a 65 yard game to open up the scoring I started worrying that this would be a "whoever has the ball last will win" type of game. While I was happy with Marlin Lane scoring a touchdown on the ensuing Tennessee drive, it did little to make me think any different. Dooley really let them hang on the kickoff though when he called for the onside kick which led to a Justin Hunter touchdown reception. Cincy scored on their ensuing drive however and there we were again at 14-14.

If you want to beat Florida, just have 9 guys protect Bray, and send this guy on a Go route.

Tennessee started to really impress me when the defense stepped up and didn't allow another Cincinnati score until about seven minutes left in the third quarter while in the mean time scoring two more touchdowns in the second quarter, both to Da'Rick Rogers, and then another one to start the third quarter when Tyler Bray called his own number on a quarterback sneak. Bray looked like Joe Montana all day. His final stat line was amazing. He was 34 of 41 for 405 yards and 4 touchdowns. He accounted for 5 total touchdowns for the Vols. Over two games he has completed 78% of his passes.

2 weeks into the season and I'm comfortable in saying that this young man is going to be in New York City in December.

At this point I fully expect Tennessee to win every game by 30 points or more, and anything less than a National Championship would be a disappointment. I know next week will be a true test. Florida has one of the most talented teams in the country. They are ranked #16 in the polls and have a lengthy streak of wins against us. However, with the new coaching staff in Gainesville and the momentum that we have going, this could be the year that Tennessee gets past the Gators. Viewing party at my apartment for those interested. I'm sure there will be plenty to talk about around 8pm. Go Vols!

Saturdays In The Fall - Montana vs. Tennessee

This year I thought I might step my game up a little bit and try my hand at blogging every Tennessee game instead of every high school football game. Plus I feel like it will reach a bigger audience. What better way to start of the college football season than with a game against one of the best D-2 teams in the country in Montana. I hadn't been this stoked for a game since who knows when. Of course I am being sarcastic, it was Montana. Either way it's a good way to get my feet wet. Literally.

I had to work until twelve Saturday so I decided to wear my UT polo to the office. My boss walked in and immediately asked me what kind of shirt I was wearing. I responded with the obvious answer, "A Tennessee polo." He inquired as to whether or not I was allowed to wear this shirt and after I responded with "I don't know" he informed me I couldn't. HOLD ON PLAYA!! IT'S GAME DAY ON ROCKY TOP!!! I AM GOING TO WEAR MY ORANGE!!!

After making my way to campus, I met up with some friends with whom I had decided to sneak into the student section with. After sitting in the blazing sun for over two hours watching the band march and then waiting for the game to start, just as the band finished the National Anthem, the game was delayed an hour and forty minutes. I was incredibly amazed at how quickly it went from being 102 degrees outside at 5:30pm to a complete monsoon at 6:00pm. I immediately began to worry about the future of my phone which was getting soaked in my pocket.

According to the person at Apple, water to a phone is like cancer to a human. If that's the case is this monsoon like walking straight through a nuclear reactor butt naked???

After pulling some McGyver skills out of my back pocket, slitting a seat cushion open and throwing my phone in there for protection, it was time to actually start this game against a sub par team. I was a bit worried when Tennessee had to use a trick play to score their first touchdown. I had made fun of Auburn earlier in the day for having to use a trick play to score against Utah State. I hadn't learned my lesson about taunting something with the hail storm in April. I feel like my brother text me to remind me of that taunt to Auburn before Da'Rick Rogers had even crossed the goal line off the flea flicker.

I would like to take credit for the play call on the second touchdown. I told my friends what they should do is just have 9 guys block and send Justin Hunter on a get open. Sure enough Bray stepped back and hit Hunter on a post route for an huge touchdown pass. After that it was Marlon Lane's turn, then Art "Burnt Toast" Evans surprised me by actually not getting torched but getting an interception. I nearly passed out when he crossed the goal line. Poole scored and so the game went. Sure Montana got a safety and scored a couple of touchdowns but overall Tennessee absolutely dominated. I'll put more effort into the recap of the game next week seeing as how an actual football team will be in the stadium.

Dooley: Good game guy
Montana Coach: Not only did you whip us, but you did it wearing those pants. Touche!

Right Wing Extremism

I have encountered many different people in my time at my new job. I have been cussed out, yelled at, and treated like I am one of the dumbest persons on the face of the earth. Nothing however has made me feel the way I did a few Saturdays ago. We had a couple in the office who were of Cuban nationality. While this couple was renting the car, another woman came in to return one. Out of the blue she decided to ask what country the Cuban couple was from. Just to keep things simple from this point on, we will call the returning lady Laura, and the Cuban couple Hugo and Dominga. Dominga answered Laura, with only a hint of a Cuban accent, "I am from America." Laura responded in an extremely condescending tone, "Oh really, that's great, are you here on a visa or are you a U.S. citizen?" Dominga decided not to answer so Hugo cut in and answered for her saying, "She is a U.S. citizen. She has lived here 42 years. I have been here 18 but am also a U.S. citizen." Laura, looking very interested replied, "That's great, so are things here in America very different than things in you're country?"

I was very impressed with how calm the Cuban couple stayed, not putting on like the questioning really bothering them. Honestly though I felt like Laura's next question was going to be asking them if they came to this country on a real boat or if they just strapped pontoons made of trash bags to a Ford F150 and floated it from Cuba to Key West. Some how this lady went from interrogating this poor couple to telling them they should think about purchasing food insurance because it was coming. After the Cuban couple left the office, Laura turned her attention to telling me how to live my life.

She started spouting off about how Obama was just a puppet and did whatever they told him to do. I never was made aware of who "they" were but they were the ones calling the shots. Laura told me to pay off all my credit cards and think seriously about buying food insurance. I told her I only had one credit card and I paid it off every month. I also told her I went and bought food at the grocery store every single week and bought food. Upon hearing this you would have thought I had just found a cure for cancer. She thought I was the smartest person alive and she told me about how her mom and her were actually heading to Sam's after they left so they could stock up on food. I immediately imagined her with a ton of food surrounding her and her unfortunate family in a bunker 15 ft under ground with Palin '12 posters all over the wall, just waiting for the day "they" pull the trigger on their plan to take over the world. People never cease to amaze me.

Finally In The Real World

It's been almost half a year since my last adventure and much has changed. I now work with one of the countries largest car rental companies and couldn't love it any more. While the hours are long, the pay is good and I am now able to pay for our national government to really screw things up. Working with this company also allows me to meet some really incredible people. I have a load of stories about the things I have seen, some of the people I have met, and different people that I work with. I have decided that I am going to use this blog to tell some of my stories and hopefully you'll be able to enjoy them just as much as me.

It was hard to decide what story to start with, but after a lot of thought I have picked the one that I think best represents my first three weeks on the job. It happened about a week ago. My mother and brother had come to meet me for lunch. Just as they walked in a customer and her son walked in to exchange a Ford Mustang for something "more comfortable." Before I go any further I think I should let you know that while we will work with a customer to get them the vehicle they want, we can not always guarantee a particular make. When someone wants to rent a car one way we give them the most expensive car for us to have on our lot. This isn't to say that we charge them more, just that we have to pay the depreciation for cars that aren't being rented. For example, if we have the choice to give you a full size Prius for $50 a day or a full size Camry for $50 a day, we will give you the Prius simply because the hybrids cost more to us. Any who, this woman looked like she had taken one too many botox injections. The best way I can explain it is that this woman's face made Michael Jackson look completely healthy. She walked in, slapped the keys on the counter, and basically demanded that I give her a Camry because according to her, "That Mustang is too fast and it sits too low. It's basically a sports car." My response was as follows: "Yes. . . and???" I mean really, It's a Mustang, the car that basically gave birth to sports cars.

We happened to have a Prius on the lot, so I took her out to it and asked if it would be ok. She said she didn't know how to drive one. I myself have never been in a Prius, but I figure if a doped up Janzen Jackson and Nu'Keese Richardson know how to drive one, then this crazy lady could figure it out. However it wasn't going to happen. She was dead set on getting a Camry. When I finally explained that we didn't have a Camry, and she understood it wasn't going to break her way on this issue, she asked what I was going to do for her. I told her she could either continue driving the Mustang or she could wait thirty minutes and I could get her a Ford Escape. She decided she would be able to wait and asked if they could eat while I went to get the Escape ready. I told her if she was hungry, then yes, I would suggest they eat. Other than that I couldn't care less what they did.

Now during this whole escapade, my mother and brother had to leave to go look at apartments because my mom had to be back in Clinton by 5 and it was already 3:15. I had yet to eat lunch and as I was walking out the door, the botox belle stated that they hadn't eaten since breakfast at 10am that morning. I told her I hadn't eaten yet either, and I had had breakfast at 6:30am. Nothing gets on my nerves more than when people who have nothing to complain about complain. When I returned with her Escape 30 minutes later she asked if I could load her bags for her. After resisting the urge to straight up back hand her, I politely declined telling her I had to get back to work in the office. I handed her the keys, strolled inside, and quickly washed my hands hoping I didn't get any sort of toxin on me.

There are plenty more stories, most are better than this one but I thought this would be a good way to ease back into the whole blogging deal. One of the tales I really want to share is actually still developing so stay tuned.

Music City Mayhem

I was lucky enough to get a ticket and be able to travel to Nashville with my friend Troy to the Music City Bowl. I knew we had some pretty great seats, would be staying with a really good friend for free, and that Tennessee would have a really good shot at winning. On our way to Nashville Troy told me we would need to meet his sister in Lebanon at some point to give her something from his parents. I thought it might be easier to meet her on the way back so we drove straight into downtown where we looked for a place to park. We pulled into the first lot we saw was public and were informed that it would cost $20. Troy thought he saw $5 parking across the street so we left the lot we were in to park there. Unfortunately that lot was full, but alas there was a lot just a block further down the street with a sign reading "All day parking, $6" filling us with joy. I pulled into the lot and almost immediately a man ran up to me and informed me that it would cost $20 to park there.

Downtown there was a pep rally where the two marching band and cheer squads were doing their thing. I knew there was going to be a lot of Tennessee fans at this game. I just didn't know it would be this many. We were downtown for nearly four hours prior to going to the stadium, and I could count on one hand the number of North Carolina fans I saw walking the streets. Downtown Nashville looked a whole lot like Cumberland Ave. on game day in Knoxville.

Finding a North Carolina fan in this crowd was like finding Carmen San Diego.

The Vol Walk was at LP Field at 3:15 so we made our way to the stadium to watch Dudley Doolander lead the team into the coliseum before we made our way to our seats. Not too long into the game Troy pointed out to me that there was a little person sitting in front of us. At the time everyone was standing up so I thought it would be easy to spot this person. When I couldn't I asked for clarification as to their location and Troy pointed out that he was standing on his seat to see. While I took a picture of this, I don't feel like it would be appropriate to post on here. Let me assure you though, it was one of the funniest things I have seen in some time. Everyone knows how this game went so I wont go over the game itself, except for the last play of the game, which as we know was the North Carolina quarter back spiking the ball as time expired giving Tennessee the 20-17 win.

Here is proof that Tennessee won the game. CASE CLOSED.

While we were waiting for the officials to confirm they were about to screw us over, LP Field turned into a landfill. All sorts of trash was hurled onto the field from all directions. A referee was pegged with a full water bottle, and rightfully so. As the North Carolina field goal sailed through the uprights to tie the game, a ball boy who looked not a day older than 8 began to run down the sideline toward what was obviously the Tennessee student section grabbing himself in an inappropriate manner. This caused what I believe is the most middle fingers going into the air at one time ever to occur. It was truly an amazing sight. Unfortunately Tennessee lost, causing about 40,000 drunk and angry individuals to trickle out of the stadium and into downtown Nashville. We had planned to go eat but thought it to be wiser to just grab Taco Bell and head to Andy's as to not get caught up in some bar brawl between one of the 13 Tar Heel fans and 100 drunken angry Vol fans.

I thought maybe a good nights rest would make me less angry, but I still felt like I had been kicked in the groin by Daniel Lincoln while he was aiming for my head. We still had to meet Troy's sister in Lebanon before getting back to Knoxville in time to go to the basketball game at 2pm so we headed out early from Hendersonville. When we got to Lebanon, Troy realized he left the papers he needed to give to his sister in Hendersonville, so we got to make that drive twice. This put us about an hour and a half behind schedule once we were finally on the road back to Knoxville. I think I made record time getting back. The game tipped off right as we were passing Cookeville and halftime was beginning when I was getting onto Alcoa Hwy. I was feeling good about the chances of us making for the entire second half, right up until I ran over a curb inside of a mile from the arena, blowing both of my driver side tires. We didn't make it to see the College of Charleston beat Tennessee. Instead we got to be towed to Firestone tire on Kingston Pike and get two new tires put on my truck. That's how my 2010 ended. This year has to be better.

No patching that up.