Conference Realignment Craziness

If you haven't picked up on it by now, I love college football - especially the Frogs. I'm excited that this is our last year at the kids table before joining the big leagues with the Big East. While I'm quite content to be joining the Big East, I can't deny that I am quite interested in what Dan Wentzel has to say in this article about A&M and the SEC. I don't think it will happen, but he does make some good points - specifically the reason the Big 12 doesn't want us (and the Big East did), the DFW TV market. Maybe when the Super Conferences do emerge, TCU will be considered, but for now I doubt this will happen.

But what's even more unlikely to happen is this. Launching tonight at midnight, I'm assuming by their awesome countdown, SMU has made a website for their campaign to join the Big 12. I'm sorry but this is just laughable. Hey ponies, if the Big 12 doesn't want TCU (a much more successful football and baseball school), they sure as hell don't want you. The Big 12 already has a hold on the DFW TV market as so much of the Big 12 schools' alumni base(s) reside there already. Also, if TCU's stadium is small, SMU's is tiny by comparison. So, ponies, if you want to be at one of the grown up tables, you should pursue another BCS conference. I'd be floored if the Big 12 shows any serious consideration of you joining.

And like every other TCU football post in the last two weeks: Kickoff is Friday nigh in Waco against Baylor at 7. The game will also be on ESPN.

Music Monday

Football starts FRIDAY. So naturally this Music Monday is dedicated to TCU Football. Go frogs.

The 2009 team's anthem. Who would've thought Tom Petty would be such a big inspiration?


And who doesn't love a good rave in the stands? (also, why is there a random dog in this video?)


And this song doesn't have anything to do with TCU, but it is about purple and I wear a lot of it during football season.


I don't know a TCU fan that doesn't like this. I'm also about 90% sure they played this at the stadium last season, too.


Don't forget to vote for your favorite mascot (obviously SuperFrog) to win America's Best Mascot (or whatever the formal title is)!

Kickoff in Waco Friday night. Let's get 'em boys! Go frogs.

VMAs 2011 Highlights

So there were a handful of things I was super excited about tonight with the VMAs coming on. Lady Gaga opening - kind of disappointing, but only because I wished she'd danced longer. Or I guess I should say he since it was Joe Calderone, her alter ego.

My favorite commercial of the night had to be the new Kia Soul. I loved the original Kia Soul commercial with the Hamsters, but throw in some "Party Rock" by LMFAO and I might consider buying Soul.


What as I most excited for you ask? A sneak peak of The Hunger Games coming out in March. Too bad it was WAY disappointing. I expected more - especially since MTV had been hyping this up for weeks. Hopefully a real trailer will come out soon with some actual story line to it.

And the most talked about piece of news? BEYONCE AND JAY-Z ARE HAVING A BABY!!!!!!!

Flash Mob Envy

So, last year I blogged about my friend Tim's single, "We Fight Back," written for the awesome Frogs for the Cure game TCU puts on every year. Well, this year, they did a flash mob. And if you've read my bucket list, it's right up there at the top. I wish I could say I went to one of the practices and made it into the Flash Mob yesterday when the filmed it, but the puppy anchors me to the house (not that I'm complaining - I love little Napster) and I couldn't just put him up and say, "Sorry, going to a flash mob."

Anyway, here's the dance they did. I'm insanely jealous of everyone who went. Rumor (and pictures on FB and Twitter) has it that Mark Cuban, Pat Green, and even Tim himself were all there. And apparently a Lady Gaga look-alike.


TCU Magazine's FB page has video from yesterday's event and I got chills. It looks awesome and again, I'm insanely jealous.

Music Monday

Throwback! Since it's the first day of school across the state of Texas and most importantly at TCU, I thought I'd do a little rewind to what I was listening to as a freshman on my first day of college 5 years ago. Man, I'm old.

In anticipation of Grey's Anatomy starting its second(or third maybe) season, I was constantly jamming to the first CD released for Grey's. It was an instant bonding mechanism for me and my fresh roomie, McKinna (who I miss a TON! Come back to Texas please).


This song came out around the time Panda and I drove to Target and Julio's together once a week so we could avoid studying. Mmmmm, Julio's. Must go visit the Fort for the most delicious sopapillas EVER.


Fun Fact: According to iTunes, I bought this on this EXACT date 5 years ago. It's a classic and I wish he'd make a new album STAT.


And just because I'm about 90% sure this was my ringtone at this particular point in time on my pink Razor cell phone...


I hope you danced a little to this fabulous blast from the past songs. And now, a glimpse into my freshman dorm room...

Studying hard... or hardly studying?

Crabby! Our door stop

Back to School Commercials

I don't know about y'all, but I love Back to School commercials. They're hilarious. The most classic one of all time is the Staples one that ran for forever up until a few years ago (maybe about the time I started college).


This year has some pretty good ones, too. And in honor of school starting tomorrow, I thought I'd share my favorites from this year.

My mom and I have been arguing since this one starting airing whether or not he is the Air Marshall from Bridesmaids, aka Melissa McCarthy's husband in real life. I think it is. What do you think?


Back to back to school ads...



I think the three Target ones above are my favorites this year.

I like this one a lot too because the song is so much fun (it's a SYTYCD song from last summer).


This one is a lot of fun. I love the colors and the fact that they used one of my SYTYCD favorites, Kherington.


What are y'all's favorite back to school commercials?

Two Weeks Until Kick Off

Gary Patterson Is Still Yelling at His Players Finally some well deserved respect for TCU and Coach Patterson from Texas Monthly.

And if that really long article wasn't enough, TCU unveiled the 2011 Football video yesterday. CHILLS.


TCU kicks off against Baylor Friday, Sept. 2, in Waco.

RIP Ruby

Anybody who knows me knows I'm a little bit of a hoarder and very sentimental.

A few days ago, my very first new car and the car that I drove to TCU for four years was involved in an accident and totaled by the new owner's insurance company.

Me and Ruby, Feb 2010

Ruby and I came together in July of 2006. I was at the height of my obsession with the Grey's Anatomy soundtrack and loved the song Ruby Blue by Roisin Murphy.

I can't tell you how many times this song graced Ruby's speakers, but eventually I named my car after the song.

We had a memorable four years driving around Fort Worth. One of my first Fort Worth memories with Ruby is getting lost with my neighbor Hannah looking for a Dairy Queen. We drove all over town looking for one because I wanted a blizzard really bad. We were unsuccessful, but decided to get frosties at Wendy's instead.

The first time I drove Ruby to camp was the summer of 2007. To leave on your night off, counselors have to drive near where one of the tribes lines up for Tribe Hill. One of my nights off, one of my campers, Luisa, and another camper in the same age group saw me and made a wonderful song out of my license plate number and sang it to me the next day at breakfast. "609NPD!" But it stuck with me and that's how I learned what my plate was.

Ruby was a great car and she will be missed. I'm hoping to get one of her plates for sentimental value in the next week...

Precious.

There's no other word to describe this.



I don't know if you've seen the Glee Concert in 3D or not, but this little nugget is in it and I'm obsessed. He needs to be added in as someone's little brother at some point this season. He's just TOO cute.

Music Monday

Welcome to my third Music Monday! With it being the last Monday of summer here in Texas (not that it applies to me at all, being unemployed and whatnot haha), I thought I'd do my favorite songs of Summer 2011, more specifically a rewind to the most listened to songs at camp this year.


I played this just about every morning for my campers. Some were annoyed by it and some loved it. I think it has that perfect summer feel and it's great for the morning because it's not too intense.


Glee was a major favorite in the cabin - I mean, when is Glee NOT a favorite, though? And Darren Criss, aka my future husband? His voice makes me melt a little.


This was another morning favorite to wake up to for my campers. I got it from the African Cats movie trailers earlier in the Spring. I'm a huge sucker for good movie trailer/commercial in general music. Thank, God, for Shazam!


A camp-wide and summer favorite for me. I'm just now SLOWLY getting tired of this song. I couldn't get enough of it at camp and I especially loved that the high-intermediate Kiowas did their dance to this song.

What were your favorite songs of Summer 2011?

SYTYCD Season 8 Round Up

I don't know if you know this or not, but I picked the winner of So You Think You Can Dance from her audition. This is only the second time in 6 seasons (there's been 8 now but I've only been watching for 6) that's happened. I mean really, please watch Melanie dance and tell me you don't fall in love. She looks like Ginnifer Goodwin and dances like I only dream I could.



Now here's her next to last solo on the show. She showed SO much growth from her audition to just last week. She's blown me away all summer and I'm really inspired by her.



Everything about the Statue dance is perfection. Melanie and Marko's partnership. Travis Wall's choreography. The costumes, make-up, lighting. Everything.

And that was just the first week of the competition!

This was two weeks ago (and performed again last night, but this is the original).


Ok, I don't want to bore you with all of her dances, but she really is AMAZING, so feel free to browse all of her dances on YouTube. And vote for your favorite ad of Melanie for Gatorade G Series Fit. (I like Ad A because she really does make everything looks so effortless.)

Also, don't think that since the season is over I won't still be talking about the show. I'm going to the tour in October so I'll be figuring out a couple of dances I want to see on tour in a couple of months.

A Note from the Crate of Napoleon

Hello. My name is Napoleon and I'm Frances' new puppy. I just thought I'd give you a look at what me and my human have been up to lately.

I've been living with Frances and her mom for almost 4 weeks now. I really like it so far. Except when Frances shakes the empty paper towel roll at me, but I'm usually in trouble when that happens.

This week, I trained the humans to take me outside when I got to the door. They seem to really enjoy when I do this as it always yields the results I expect (going outside to relieve myself and sometimes to chase bugs).

Every morning, Frances and I wake up around 7:30 am and go outside. Yesterday we saw an older couple walking their dog, Starr. She's a mini Australian Shepherd and seemed really nice but the stupid leash wouldn't let me get a good sniff.

When I got here I really hated my leash, and sometimes I still do, but it's not too bad now. The humans have given me some freedom with it. They used to put it on me before we went outside. But now that I'm growing up, they let me jump off the porch step and then put it on me when I get to the grass. I'm a good little jumper, Frances says.

My favorite toy is a squeaky hippo. I can't squeak it, but I love when Frances squeaks it for me when we play. Sometimes I forgo the hippo for my Kong frog. He has two knotted ropes in him and a squeaker. Hippo and Frog are my favorite toys, definitely.

A couple of times, Frances has taken me over to her dad's house to visit him, her step-mom, and step-sisters. They're all really nice and pay me a lot of attention. There's also three cats over there and another dog. One cat doesn't pay any attention to me. One of the cats tries to but then goes away. I think my hyper-ness might scare him, but it's been a few weeks since I was around cats a lot. The third cat tried to get close and then fuzzes up like she wants to start something with me. Whatever, chick, you did it to yourself.

The dog over there is a lot bigger than me. Frances says she's blind so she just sniffs me a lot. She seems nice, but we haven't gotten a chance to play much yet.

That's all I really have to say about life here so far. It's been a fun 4 weeks (except last week when I got a shot. I didn't feel too good the next day).

This is me on the kitchen floor. The tile feels good on my belly after going outside. It's hot outside, if you haven't noticed.

Music Monday

Don't worry, I'm back! I'm thinking Music Mondays are already pretty cool, what about you? I'll try not to have them ALL be SYTYCD related (especially since the finale is this week so I won't be discovering too much more music from that after Wednesday). So here's this week's Music Monday!


Adele is a genius. I hope she wins every Grammy she gets nominated for for this album. 21 is phenomenal (I don't have it, but everything I've heard from it and about it is ridiculous raves).


This is from SYTYCD. Ricky and All-Star Jamie Goodwin did a beautiful contemporary last week to this song and I fell in love. Look up the dance, seriously.


My favorite dancer, Melanie, did her solo last Wednesday to this on SYTYCD. It was honestly the best solo I've seen on that show in a LONG time. Possibly the best solo. If not, it's definitely up there. Look it up.


If you know me, you know I'm not Nicki's biggest fan. However, this summer she's grown on me. Ok, I admit, it was her rap on "Till the World Ends, the Remix," that got me. But this song is a lot of fun and I like it. Not enough to buy it (yet - not enough money on iTunes).


Ok, this video is to die for hilarious. And it has my future husband, Darren Criss, in the beginning and sweet Kevin McHale, who is hilarious (I LOVE GLEE). Try not to at least smile while watching it. (And is it me or does Rebecca Black have huge boobs?)

Sorry for the music overload. What songs are you loving this week?

Heavy in My Arms

I don't know if it's Florence + the Machine's song or Caitlynn or Marko or the combination, but I am in love with this dance. It's beautiful. Hope to be seeing it again next week in the finale of So You Think You Can Dance and again on tour. The leap into the weird cartwheel thing? I get chills every time. SO good.



It's a dance that the more I think about it, the more I love it.

Still Unemployed

Well, it's officially been a year since I started the job search and I'm still searching. I feel like I've exhausted the usual search options and I'm looking for creative ways to look for jobs, so if you have an idea please let me know. I'd really appreciate it - whether you've used it or not, whether it worked or not, whatever.

In other news, Nappy had his 12 week old shots yesterday and this morning he doesn't feel well. Currently he's dreaming and it's precious, but I've felt bad for him all morning cause he's just been so sad.

Being unemployed gives one a lot of time to think, or overthink. I think I have TMJ. I'm hoping it's stress related since I am now trying to potty train a puppy and there is some stress that goes with that.

Now I'm going to leave you with Nappy's new favorite pastime: only partially hiding under the coffee table or a chair or another table...

Music Monday

Ok, so Favorite Friday fell apart when I went to camp. I'm sorry. BUT! I thought I'd try something new: Music Monday (I know a ton of people probably do this, like my friend Jessica who hasn't updated her livejournal in forever). Every Monday I'll try to post a song that I'm absolutely loving at the moment for you faithful readers.

To kick off Music Monday, I thought I'd do a handful of songs...


I started hearing this song on XM AltNation in late May and knew I liked it, but after Ryan Ramirez did a solo to it on SYTYCD (which I can't find), I knew I liked it. At this point in the summer almost all of my new music comes from SYTYCD. I hate in the dead of winter when I'm dying for new music but SYTYCD isn't on (however, I don't like when SYTYCD has a fall season - that experiment failed miserably).


Another SYTYCD inspiration. Several choreographers (I think mainly Sonya Tayeh, I could be wrong) have been using District 78's music and I have to say, I really like it. This song is amazing because my favorite this season, Melanie, was paired with Sasha for an intense girl jazz last week. Seriously, look it up - amaze-balls.


Another band I've discovered thanks to XM AltNation. This song hasn't necessarily been one of their's that I've heard, but I'm diggin' it. A lot. Especially after I saw Billy Bell do a solo at some dance convention on YouTube. Look it up. His musicality is awesome. He's improved SO much since his stint on SYTYCD last summer.


Got it from the Grey's Anatomy finale commercials in May and now ABCFamily is using it on their commercials for their new show the Lying Game. Super fun and sassy, right?

What songs are you loving right now? I love discovering new music!