Nothing Like It Anywhere

Good Morning, I come to you from the Continental Breakfast area of the Best Western Hotel in New Orleans Garden District.  Not exactly an ideal blogging location(specifically because the guy behind me is watching me type), but I wanted breakfast and figured why not take the laptop.  So anyway, where was I....oh right New Orleans.  I could say very little about this city or say nothing at all because it speaks for itself.  This weekend was  my first trip here since 2004.  It is really the first time I've been here and not been completely limited from doing anything I wanted.  Dont look too far into that though, I don't have jaw dropping story.  I just had a decent weekend.  I would have loved to have taken the city in a little more, but you can only do so much in 3 days.  On to Good, Bad and Funny.

New Orleans

1. Good: I think the one thing that stays with people after visiting here is the diversity of people they see while they are here.  To me, that is New Orleans best quality.  It is the city that doesn't discriminate.  Personal titles and labels do not matter here.  All you need is a pulse and a means of transportation in this city.  The food alone here is worth the trip.  You can get food that is special to New Orleans outside of NOLA but the taste just isn't the same.  I love the history of this city.  From the homes to the statues to the churches and stories that you'll hear about it.  I love how beads hang from trees and power lines and they don't clean them up.  Another great thing about this city is how much the people that live here love it.  After all they have been through, they continue to push on.  I've been to this city 4 times and it hasn't changed a bit each time.  I hope it stays that way for the most part.
2. Bad: There can't be a blog on New Orleans without a bad section.  This is definitely not one of the cleanest cities in the world.  Bourbon Street is the city's biggest attraction and it's by far the nastiest road I've ever been on.  I'm not going to sit here and tell you that I've never had a good time on Bourbon Street because it would be a lie.  However, I think the bad outweighs the good.  Like I said the street is disgusting.  It reeks of vomit every 30 feet you walk, it degrades women in the worst way and all of it's merchandise and edible/drinkable items are price inflated.  But the worst thing about it to me is the creepy edge that it carries with it.  At times I've felt uneasy walking it.  I feel like I can't so much as make a wrong turn in an alley without something bad happening to me or more importantly the friends around me.  I see why people love it so much but for me there are other things that make New Orleans special.
3. Funny: Let's just say that there are some characters around here.  I feel like you can't turn a corner without seeing someone that looks like this.

Well, that's it.  If you come to New Orleans don't come with an agenda.  Just come down here and let the Big    Easy come to you.

Thanks for reading,

McKinley

Ok folks it's upon us

I don't think you have to be a rocket scientist to figure out what my blog topic is this morning.  For a lot of us, the wait for this day started the day after the Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Texas Longhorns this past February.  I'm in the city of Starkville, MS this morning in a buddy's apartment watching College Gameday as we speak.  I got up this morning and went to Hardee's to get a Bacon, Egg and Cheese biscuit and a copy of the Daily Journal.  Anyhow, this day isn't about me.  It's about the sport that so many of us love: College Football.  So without any further adieu, I give you my take on the subject.  On to Good, Bad and Ugly.
College Football

1. Good: What is not to love about it.  It's buying a preseason magazine, it's texting friends your gameday plans, it's the car ride to your respective favorite team's town, it's the tailgate scene, it's checking the spread and getting ya bets in, the team walk through, it's the pregame video, it's the opening kickoff.  All these things are special to me.  I try to savor all of these moments.  It's just apart of the ride for me.  I love to win just as much as anyone, and I'll admit I do get mad when the Bulldogs lose, but I am trying to take more in then just the final outcome of the game.  I've watched so many good football games, and to me it's almost like nothing else is going on outside of the moments that make you think "Wow look at this". 
2. Bad: Of course a few bad apples will ruin a good time for everybody.  You'll easily be able to point them out at a football game.  These people are why etiquitte rules are in place on how to act on gameday.  I won't elaborate anymore on this, but I will give a piece of advice.  If you can't act right then just stay at home.  Another talking point in this section that I can't stand is the bickering between rival fans.  I grew up a Mississippi State fan, but I have many close friends that are Ole Miss fans.  I've been in my fair share of arguments over this rivalry but, for the most part I just try to focus on loving my favorite team.  The bottom line worst situation is when someone who is a fan of the team you love, is uneducated on the subject and simply doesn't know what he's talking about when arguing with a rival fan.  This is why each team's fans always say the other school's fans are stupid.  Can't we all just get along and hate Alabama.
3. Funny: I'm struggling to think of one specific thing that's funny to me about college football.  But one does come to mind.  I laugh a little inside when someone gets what they've got coming.  Whether it be a team that has bent the rules and gets beat, or an obnoxious drunk that gets taken out of a game for his/her behavior.

Link of the day: Even though he and I haven't seen eye to eye on music lately, Kenny Chesney hit the spot with this one.

So people, strap on your gameday gear or get comfortable on your couch and enjoy this day that so many have watied on.
Thanks for reading,
McKinley