The Whole Duty Of Man

Ah, the life and times of a college football fan. We anxiously await the end of summer to see how our team has improved since last year. We cheer on young men, hoping that they are able to excel in the classroom and beating their rivals. Here in Central Ohio, college football is a huge deal. We don't have a NFL team (unlike the "C" cities to our north and south), we don't have a MLB team (again unlike Cincy and Cleveland)... we have our Buckeyes. While we do have the Blue Jackets and the Crew, The Ohio State University football team is that thang around here. And they have been. The real fans have stuck by the Buckeyes when they continually lost to that team up north (hello, Jon Cooper years) and when they were busted by the NCAA (Jim Tressel years). Now here we are with another scandal.

So, if you don't know what is going on, here is a short recap: Urban Meyer is the head coach of our football team-- there are several different coaches (just like every other college football team). One of those other coaches was Zach Smith, grandson of the late, great Earle Bruce. Last month Zach Smith was fired by the university for (allegedly) abusing his ex-wife. Yesterday Urban Meyer was placed on paid administrative leave while the university investigates whether he knew about this (alleged) abuse and did nothing. Courtney Smith (Zach's ex-wife) is appearing everywhere stating that she told Shelley Meyer (Urban's wife) about the abuse and she thinks that Urban was aware of what was going on. Urban denies that he knew.

Consider yourself all caught up. Now: what is the Hot, Black and Bitter take? I'm glad you asked!

Before I get into this let me just say: while I am super excited about Urban Meyer's record while coaching at OSU, I am not an Urban fan. I am certainly no fan of Shelley Meyer (all you have to do is look at that chick's Twitter feed to know why I could do without her). Urban has a winning record, he can coach, BUT he has shown that he has... questionable character traits. OK- my takes on this new clusterfuck of crazy: Zach Smith is a piece of shit. No question. Anytime you abuse your spouse (or anyone, actually) you are a douchebag. I don't care who you are or who you are related to. He got fired and I, for one, hope he never gets a job in college football again. Keep your hands to yourself. Piece.Of.Shit.

Courtney Smith. This girl is going through it. She is certainly NOT being well received in Columbus-- because her all media tour is fucking up folks' football season. But you know what? She has a story and she should tell it. Everyone is quick to say that this happened three years ago, Urban has no obligation to help her out of a messy marriage/divorce and she is just doing this for her 15 minutes of fame. My take is a little different. 1. I don't care that the abuse happened three years ago-- Zach could have abused her 10 years ago and guess what? He would still be a piece of shit and she would still be a victim of abuse. 2. Urban and Shelley have daughters. I have a daughter. If, god forbid, someone abused MY daughter I would want ANYONE who knew of the abuse before me to help her. Period. Urban is also leading a group of young men here in Columbus. They have team rules and I believe the second rule is "Respect women." So he should be held to his own rules. I'm not saying that he should fight Zach but IF he knew what was going on, he should have (AT THE VERY LEAST) reported it to the school. I mean, it takes so little to be a stand up human being. 3. Stories of abuse should never be met with a counter argument that people are doing it for fame. That is absurd and lazy. I would not come out with a story about being abused, have my whole life turned upside down for something as fleeting as fame-- and I choose to believe that is true for everyone. I believe that Courtney was abused AND I believe that NO one wants to be famous for being a victim of abuse. That being said, if Courtney wanted Urban to know what was going on in her marriage, she should have told him directly.

Bottom line: do I think Urban should lose his job? No. But do I think that he should suffer some consequences IF he knew that Zach was beating his wife in 2015? Hell yeah. Folks around the country are busy sticking their noses in shit that absolutely has nothing to do with them. "Offenses" that aren't hurting anyone (like going to your neighborhood pool, selling water on a hot day, walking home, entering your own home, having a picnic in a park, leaving an Air B&B, etc.) People are so quick to jump into trivial situations with their two cents that no one asked for. If Urban knew that something as serious as spousal abuse was going on with one of his staff members then he should have done something about it. Damn the football season-- we should be teaching our kids (including football players) that they have to do the right thing... even when it is hard. Especially when it is hard.

Friday Night Lights - Home Alone

Hey now! I am having a quiet night at home, because married life for this old lady is so exciting! I'm talking red box movies, Donatos pizza and sour patch straws exciting. Throw in some Throwback Mountain Dew and I can hardly control myself! Seriously-- after weeks of sunshine and warmth, the weather here in central Ohio has taken a "fall like" turn on this Friday evening. The sky was looking ominous, rain was falling (and I don't do rain) and I am currently having a come to Jesus moment with my job. Not to mention, there are a couple behind the scenes situations that are stressing me out. In short, I needed a night of silence, bad for you food and sickeningly sweet movies. I mean, who needs to talk when you are watching tear-jerker movies and getting a sugar buzz?

When I stopped at Redbox today I was not thinking that I would find something fantastic because 1. I really was only stopping because I had a coupon and 2. I, um, visit the freaking Redbox more than I should. That is to say, I have seen almost all the movies I've wanted to. So tonight I got Bad Words, featuring Jason Bateman and a documentary called Undefeated. Friday night documentary... oh, the glamorous life. I am going to need you all to hold back all that jealousy. 

I am a little behind the times (shocker) because Undefeated was a critically acclaimed documentary... shot in 2009. It is about turning around an awful football team in North Memphis. It shows the triumphs and defeats of members of the football team; the turmoil of the coach's home life; anger issues; passive aggressive craziness; coming back from injury; the uncertainty of life after high school. It was a good movie. I, generally, am not one for documentaries OR feel good movies-- though I did (do) LOVE Remember the Titans and We Are Marshall, so maybe I am a feel good movie freak?!? 

The featured coach, Mr. Bill Courtney just released a book at the beginning of the summer. You can find it here. I think that I am going to get it from the library after I finish Gone Girl. But, I digress-- I can see why the movie was so well received. Exactly what I needed to see tonight, while there was a dog asleep on my lap... ok, ok he was totally faking sleep, waiting for me to drop some pizza topping on him. Minus the crazy animals, the movie was good and gave me a good ol' kick in the butt jolt (not for football, but, you know, life). So, if you are in need (or in the mood) for a football movie of (mostly) goodness, visit the Redbox, grab Undefeated and grab a glass of wine. Good times, Friday Night Lights. 

Saturday Mojo with HBB

I received an email that asked "what do you and Lefty do for fun?"

Well… we live in Central Ohio and it IS football season, so we do random stuff around the house (like today, I cleaned the carpets in the master bedroom and the hallway) and then we (read: I) watch football. Living so close to Ohio State gives me a great home team to cheer for. Lefty doesn't really watch all the time, but since he graduated from Ohio State and I am *slightly* fanatic about my love for the Buckeyes, he is coming around!

Also tonight, my (not so) little brother, Big Man, and his high school football team will be playing in the Division V Regional final game against some school I have never heard of, in the middle of nowhere. So not only am I typing this while my Buckeyes are on, Lefty and I are stacking on clothing and getting ready to head to Nelsonville, Ohio to freeze our tushes off while loudly embarrassing my 18 year-old brother. This could most truthfully be characterized as the event that is going to brighten my WHOLE day. I am convinced that the Big Man loves it when I scream his name from the stands… and if he doesn't, he better not tell me. Any revelation like that will only make me scream louder.

Really, we do a lot of other things for fun and I will review what we did this summer… and thank you for the question. Keep them coming!!

Just in case Big Man is reading this, here is an inspirational video from my second favorite football team :) Lefty and I will be there rooting for you!! Go Hawks! Go Bucks!!

Fed Up Friday - End of April Issue

Hello readers!!

It has been a rough week, so I'm fed up about numerous things. Ready? here we go:

Donald Dick- oops, I mean Donald Trump... he IS a dick. Like a walking penis with a bad toupee. I used to put up with him, his show, and that thing on his head, but after this week all I want to do is slap some Jesus INTO him. Ok, is he kidding? I keep thinking that the American public is getting punked. Are there really people out there that believes what he believes? I mean, I will be the first to say- I think some of y'all out there are more than stupid. Some of the people I see on a regular basis can't walk and chew gum at the same time... I always count on a moron being in my presence. ALWAYS. But really? There are actually people who believe that Barack is not an American citizen-- STILL? Granted, there are some things that are completely ass backward in Illinois, but raise your hand if you think that all the citizens of Illinois would vote an illegal alien into the Senate. I mean, we DID have Roland Burris, but he isn't illegal... just an alien.
Back to the dick... such a waste of time. I have no respect for him, those that support him, or the nonsense that he is perpetuating. Donald Dick, you want a cause? Want something to be mad about? Gas prices have almost hit $5 in Chicago, taxes are out of control and we are involved in a two front war... that should hold his dumb ass over for a while.

Do-gooders: ok- I am not fed up with ALL do gooders. Just a select few. A catastrophe happened in Haiti, celebrities everywhere, people giving money, American Red Cross going to help, pictures of Haitians babies all over every newscast for a month. Catastrophe in Japan, same thing. Fundraisers here in Chicago- everyone wants to help. Out pouring of cash and help was AMAZING. Now picture this: oil spill in the gulf that affects several states, wildlife, economies are further broken, people are suffering. And this: tornadoes rip through sleepy southern towns, people die, economies further busted, babies are orphaned, families are torn apart by death... no celebrities, no fundraisers, no... nothing.
WTF?!?!!? That shit happened.... HERE. Where the fuck is your American pride? I swear if someone else asks me to help some children that do not reside in this country, I am liable to slap them. Dude, has everyone forgotten that America is in the middle of some shit? People don't have jobs; our economy is shitty and now states are experiencing death and destruction at the hands of Mother Nature?!?!?! Someone PLEASE have a fundraiser for the people in Alabama, Mississippi, Tennessee, and anywhere else affected by the storms. Please renew my faith in American citizens because some of y'all are SO worried about other countries that you are not seeing the needy in your backyard. Shame on you for that.

Royal Wedding: I can't front- I like the idea of it. Horse drawn carriages, a Prince and a Princess. Big party and everyone looking at me, er, I mean, her! But damn, some of you with these blow by blow tweets and Facebook updates. I was like that little kid on the Shining this morning (redrum, redrum, redrum). Seriously, it is cool that you watched, hell, I saw some pics of David Beckham that made me mad that I wasn't up at 4:00 CST to see him roll up to the church, but wow- I wasn't THAT into it and everyone that was, I gave you the side eye this morning- and just now.

Ohio State football, Jim Tressel and all that: look,y'all WILL stop hating on my coach, my team, my hometown. And I'm not playing. Tressel is a good coach- and before you say something stupid, it is not because he beats michigan every year, because they are so sorry that anyone could do that. Those kids believe what he is selling them. The graduation rate has gone up. When interviewed about the trouble that they have gotten into, more than one athlete has said that they are sorry they disappointed their coach. Haters everywhere are so quick to say that he should be fired. Then guess who else should be fired? Everyone- because regardless of whether or not they have been caught (YET), every coach is guilty of doing some dirt. EVERY one. Pretty little cheerleaders are assigned to athletes, money exchanges hands, special consideration is given in classes. That happens everywhere. Let's not be naive. So how about this... Get a life. Jim Tressel is going to pay his fine, serve his suspension and win some more. If Ohio State was smart, they would have him winning for them. Everyone else needs to shut the hell up (yeah, I am totally looking at you Kirk Herbstreit). If you don't sign Tressel's checks, now is the time for you know your role and pump your brakes. Shut up and let my man work.

Honorable mentions go out to: the assholes standing on the corner during the rainstorm this week- weirdos; the lady with the chinese food on a hot ass train car; my co-worker- even after I totally read you the riot act; people who act like they are your friend- but aren't; and people who act like they don't care in front of others and then try to be all up on you when no one is around... I see you! ;)

A Week of Thankfulness :)

Today is a special day... all of the things that I have said that I am thankful for, I will experience today. I am on my way back to Columbus, Ohio to hang out with my family and friends. Along the way I am listening to some awesome music (yay! Car concert in full effect) and when I am back in town I will see the last thing that I am grateful for-- Ohio State football!!



Today the Buckeyes play their conference rivals (crappy michigan) and after a year of talking all kinds of smack (yep- year round job!) we will see what happens at noon EST. I love the rivalry weekend scenario. It seems like for a split second, the whole town comes together, wearing scarlet and gray (obviously) and cheer for the same thing- a victory over that team from up north. There is crap talk and real statistics thrown around. In the end, however, there can only be one winner and as I hit the road, I hope and pray that my Buckeyes come out on top!



**UPDATE** My Buckeyes did, in fact, win-- convincingly. I love that I have another year to rub it in peoples faces!! Woo hoo!!

College Football and Hurt Feelings

So- as I watched my Ohio State Buckeyes beat michigan (again)this past weekend, I watched my husband (Jim Tressel) as he paced the sideline, calling plays and encouraging the guys. I guess I should be clear, Jim Tressel and I are only married in my dreams, and he is one of many husbands. The hubbies span different industries, age ranges and levels of attractiveness. Once a hubby is added to the list, they aren't taken off...and the list is full of people who probably should not be grouped together. For example, four men on my hubby list: Eddie Vedder (of course), Sean Penn (think Mystic River), Brady Quinn (hot Columbus boy) and Sean Connery. Now really, do those 4 names even go together... Ah, but I digress.

As I am watching Jimmy T (see, I have even given them cool nicknames) encouraging the best college football team in America (!) I also start reading a digital article about the Kansas head football coach, Mark Mangino. Mr. (using that term loosely) Mangino is accused of being extremely rude to the young men that play for him. And not rude, like cussing at them, or calling them douchebags. We are talking rude like, "if you don't do what I say, I will send your ass back to the ghetto." He is actually quoted as saying that if a player did not do what he said he would "send him back to his hood to get shot like his homies." WHAT???

Ok- I want to say that Mangino is upset with the world because he is fat and unattractive. But I don't think that is it, at least not all of it. I mean, you have to be a real asshole to say crap like that. I just think he needs to be fired- immediately. I am not even going to say that he is racist. Even if that is the case, which I am sure it is, it takes a backseat to the fact that at least 60 pairs of parents send their young men to be further molded by a fat douchebag who claims that he has the power to send these boys back to the ghetto to be shot like their homies. Awful.
There is a difference between tough love and just being a dick. It is obvious that Mangino is not familiar with that line. I, like most people, struggle with that myself sometimes. I yell at the neighborhood kids, but I never call them hoodrats or tell them they will get shot like their homies. That is more of a reality here than in Kansas, and I wouldn't wish that on anyone.

If my son was away from home for the first time and he called me with stories like what is being reported about Mangino, I think it would be safe to say...hell hath no fury. Alumni should be up in arms, parents should be inconsolable AND threatening to remove their kids from the University. Maybe if they threatened the pocketbook of the university, something would be done. Maybe the AD wouldn't drag his feet if that was his son being verbally abused? Maybe, just maybe those football players will jump Mangino's big ass in the locker room after the final game of the season- a little payback? Maybe someone should threaten to starve Mangino for a couple meals?? Just another reminder to build up the youth of American with discipline...not rude, insulting behavior. I mean, I know that everyone can't be as outstanding as my hubby Jimmy T... But they could at least try- right? ;)

Miss Mox