River Wakeboarding: My New Love

This weekend we had a camping trip planned to a nearby lake. Unfortunately Mother Nature didn't get the memo and decided to rain all weekend, especially where the lake is (there was flash flood warnings in that area). So instead of camping outside in the rain a friend of mine decided we should just rent a hotel like room on Lake Livingston which is connected to the Trinity River. After some reluctance we decided this was a good idea.

Although the day was full of rain (the annoying kind where it was just drizzling/misting all day) the water was smooth as can be. I love rivers! Everyone had awesome water and we all got up. What more could you ask for? Ok maybe a little bit of sunshine would have made the trip better but nonetheless, I have been converted fully to river wakeboarding.

Here we are freezing & yes that is a trash bag poncho - you do what you gotta do.

Hiding out under the bridge so we could take a break from the rain - yes Chris and I are sporting ponchos.

Midnight Yell

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So this past weekend I had the honored privilege of attending the Midnight Yell. This is a big pep rally or sorts that happens at midnight at A&M the night before home games. I have heard of these traditions from the Houghton's but wasn't able to experience any of them until now. I was warned that after attending Yell Practice I would think A&M was a cult - not quite but they definitely are dedicated fans. I had a friend who was also a midnight yell newbie and a fellow BYU Alum. We both agreed that something like this would never fly at BYU. I found this explanation of Yell Practice online and thought I'd share in this intriguing tradition. I did not participate in all the traditions that are talked about - you'll know which one I'm talking about.

Yell Practice began as a post dinner activity in 1913, when different corps companies would gather together to "learn heartily the old time pep." However, it was not until 1931, that Yell Practice as is known today, was held before the t.u. game. It began, when a group of cadets were gathered in Peanut Owen's dorm room in Puryear Hall. Someone suggested that all of the freshmen should fall out and meet on the steps of the YMCA building at midnight. The cadets notified senior yell leaders Horsefly Berryhill and Two Gun Herman from Sherman, who could not authorize it, but said that they may just show up. Well, needless to say, the word spread quickly, and when the freshmen began to arrive, there were railroad flares and torpedoes stuck in flower pots around the YMCA building to light the area. The first Midnight Yell had begun!!!

Today, Midnight Yell is held the night before a home game in Kyle Field and at the Grove on Thursday nights before away games. Also for away games, a site is designated for a Midnight Yell in the city of our opponent on the night before the game. For example, for the t.u. game, it is held at the Texas Capitol in Austin. For a yell at Kyle Field, yell leaders lead the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band and the Twelfth Man into the stadium. The yell leaders lead the crowd in old army yells, the singing of the fight song, and tell fables of how the Aggies are going to beat the everlivin' hell out of our opponent for the next day. Lastly, the lights go out, and Aggies kiss their dates. If they don't have a date, all they have to do is flick their Bicks. As the story goes, the flames make it easier for two dateless people to find each other, and maybe they won't be dateless anymore!

The purpose of Midnight Yell is to pump up the Twelfth Man for the next day's big game!

I'm Pretty Much Amazing

So this past weekend I was graciously invited to join the lovely singles of College Station on a camping/lake trip. We left Friday morning and spent Friday and Saturday at the lake. There were 2 boats, good people, food, and wakeboarding.

I've never wakeboarded in my life. I have water skied and snowboarded, so I have a little bit of experience using a board and with water just not together.

Well I'm apparently a natural. I got up on my very first try no problem. Thanks to the helpful coaching of Chris. Then on my first run I was cutting in and out of the wake, just doing my thing. When I finally fell, the girl who owns the boat told me that there was no way that was my first time. She didn't believe me. I guess I'm just that good.

The only down side is the intense pain I'm experiencing now. I face planted pretty hard Saturday afternoon and so now my neck, back, arms, abs, and head are in pain. Most of it is just soreness but my head has been throbbing for the past 3 days...probably not a good thing.

I plan on having more trips to the lake and more shots at wakeboarding - who knows maybe I'll try a flip this next go around since it just comes so easily to me.