In a Truth-Blown Gutter Full of Wasted Years, Like Blown-Out Speakers Ringin’ in My Ears

Ok, I know that I've been slacking on my posts lately. I was in and out most of last week doing some business travel, and then I was at home watching a sick little one. On top of that, things have been crazy around here lately since our customer's end of fiscal year is on Sept 30th, so everyone is trying to cram in orders to make sure that they come in over budget so they can get even more funds next year. But excuses are just excuses. A writer writes, so here I go...

A week ago today I flew in to our company headquarters. Actually, it is just one building in the corporate HQ nexus, but still it is part of our corporate offices (as opposed to a branch office like Denver). I check in there every few months because that's where my boss(es), and co-workers reside. I should be there, too, but I have a special arrangement with the Big Boss Lady and local management that allows me to work out of the local office here in Denver. This has its pros and cons, but overall it works out well.

However, every time I travel there I get the same question over and over: When are you moving to ____? I hear it from VPs, directors, sales reps, CSRs, administrators, and other finance people in and out of my own department. I mean everybody. I've been told that the VP of Treasury said that he would do "whatever it takes" to get me to move there. I have a position waiting for me and all I have to do is say the word...

But I don't want to say the word. I don't want to move. It is hard to explain but it is actually more than that. My overall happiness is intrinsically tied to being here in Colorado. I know my wife feels the same way. We can't move without sacrificing this emotional serenity.

Sure, a lot of people like or even love where they live. But this is different. I belong here. I knew that I belonged here when I first traveled out west with my family when I was 10 years old. The first time I saw the mountains I immediately knew that I was going to live here someday (my parents will vouch for this sentiment). For the next 11 years I continued to be drawn to this place, with several backpacking trips to help solidify this desire. When my girlfriend and I decided that we had to escape the downward spiral that threatened to consume us in Wisconsin, the time had come to fulfill what I had foreseen over a decade earlier. We quit our jobs, left school, and headed to Fort Collins with everything we owned in a tiny U-Haul trailer.

We loved living here. We were married here. We both finished school here (well, our first degrees). Both of our daughters were born here. We bought our first house here. We love the community, the area, and of course, the unbelievable scenic beauty. This has been more than the town in which we live. This is the town in which we have LIVED.

Times weren't always so good for us, however. Our young family was hit particularly hard by the economic downturn. With both of us out of full time work with a mortgage to pay and two small mouths to feed, we became desperate. There was no work for us (or a whole lot of other people) here in Colorado so we decided to leave the place that we loved so much so I could take a job in Minnesota. That decision turned out to be a total disaster. Although my job was going well, six months later we were paying rent on a cramped two-bedroom apartment while still paying a mortgage on an empty house in Colorado (no one’s buying when no one’s working). We hated the weather, we hated the rudeness of the local people, and we hated that we lived in a place that we hated. With our finances strapped, we couldn't even do anything but sit in our apartment and slip back into that all-to-familiar downward spiral that would have surely consumed us once more if things didn't change. That xmas we decided that we were moving back no matter what. I would be leaving a good job, but what's the point of having a good job when everything else around you is falling to pieces?

We moved back that following July. I remember seeing the mountains the first time after that year of being gone. I remember quite vividly the literal feeling of a fog being lifted and of black clouds clearing out of my head. We were still on the interstate leaving a good job and angry family and heading towards complete uncertainty but I knew we had made the right choice. It was then that we decided that we would never leave again. We would never take for granted the happiness that this place brings us. In my lifetime I have lived in states all over this country and have traveled to even more. Although I've seen some pretty nice places, there has never been any place that I have ever been that I would want to live in more.

So, as I was sitting in the finance director's office discussing some continuing education classes that I am taking next month, he tells me that if I am interested he will approve full-on college courses in these subject areas because he wants to groom me to be the next "CK." CK is your typical company success story. He started out as a low-level A/R guy (like me) then he learned a bunch of fancy programming tricks which pretty much sling-shot him WAY UP the company ladder into senior treasury management. Now admittedly that got me all tingly because who wouldn't want to hear that they could be groomed for a top-level position with a 9th-floor office literally adjacent to the CEO, CFO, the VP of Treasury and a handful of other executives? I mean, even if things didn't pan out near as well for me as for CK, one has to at least consider why he or she is being invested in. If this is hypothetically all prerequisite for a big job offer in the corporate HQ, the question returns to the subject of relocation. I have held out from moving thus far for mid-level jobs, but what if a huge opportunity came up? Would it ever be worth moving from the place that I love and belong for a huge career opportunity and material gain?

At what price would you sell your happiness?

I Claim I’m Not Excited With My Life Any More; So I Blame This Town, This Job, These Friends; The Truth is It’s Myself

To paraphrase Sarte, we cannot evaluate a person based on his or her potential. We can only evaluate someone on what he or she has already done. We do not celebrate an author for the next novel he or she could have written, but for the great works that that individual has already produced. Therefore, I cannot go through life believing that I have potential to create until I have actually created something. Potential is intangible. We often lament wasted potential, but does it really make a difference what we could have done if we did nothing about it? What is the difference between one individual who could have painted a masterpiece of art and one who is completely without artistic talent if neither individual ever picked up a brush? There is no difference. It is just as easy for me to say that I can walk across the room as it is for me to say that I could run a 1-minute mile. Until I've done either one of those tasks, neither matters, regardless of their respective odds of accomplishment.

So, it comes down to the simple notion of doing something about it. But how does one realize that unknown potential that lay deep within one's subconscious? How does one resolve that nagging feeling that he or she is capable of so much more and then "do something about it?" So many of us have the desire to exceed the status quo and to go beyond the parameters that have been set for us, but so few of us actually accomplish that feat. Why is that? Are we afraid of failure, ridicule, contempt, or even success? Is it a matter of time constraint? Sure, we tell ourselves that we "have no time," but if we really had the drive wouldn't we make time? How does one convert that desire into drive?

I have been wrestling with these issues for a long time now. I've long held that notion, that "nagging feeling" that I could (and should) be doing more than this, but have never figured out how to capitalize on this struggle between my reality and my desire. I want to grow beyond myself, to re-shape my essence to meet (and even exceed) the expectations that I have for myself but am doing nothing about. Where is my motivation? Perhaps I am lazy. That is an easy excuse and on the surface it could easily appear to be so. However, I think it really lay deeper than that. I am generally not a lazy person (laid back, but certainly not lazy). I want to be actively working on my idea. But I am not. Perhaps I am plagued by self-doubt. I heard something this weekend that basically said that we hate what we create because we secretly hate ourselves for thinking differently (due to society's conditioning) and that we will know when we find an original idea because we will hate ourselves for thinking it. We become our own worst critic. The key is to push on and know that even though we are reviled by our own creation, the world will eventually embrace it due to its originality (despite the fact that we are conditioned not to). Society loves what we are told to hate.

While I don't know if there is any truth to that idea, I do find it very intriguing. I know that I have personally either scrapped or left unfinished many a project because I became frustrated or even repulsed by the results and my inability to please myself. Although others have encouraged me, I have failed to encourage myself to continue in the face of my own mental adversity. Once again, I am in the midst of another project but have found myself stalled. To be honest, I consider this to be the best idea I have ever come up with. The few individuals that I have run this idea by all agree that it is a " sure-fire winner." Why then can I not move forward? I know what I need to do, but I can't. Why am I stopping myself both consciously and unconsciously? Will finding the answer to that question help move me forward, or is this just another diversion that I've created for myself to keep from working on what I have set out for myself to accomplish?

Strange, But Not a Stranger

I first read The Stranger by Albert Camus in the first semester of my freshman year in college. It was required reading for an Intro to World Religions class that I had signed up for. At the time it didn't mean much to me. I was just happy that at a little over 100 pages that it was a quick read. Later on that year I went to a party thrown by my friend Tony. After hanging out at the party a little bit, Tony said that he was sick of drinking the cheap beer in the keg and suggested that we head upstairs where he kept the good stuff. Up in his room, we drank bottled microbrew and discussed philosophy (me being a wise sage at eighteen years old). Tony asked if I had ever read The Stranger and I told him that I had but it didn't really make much of an impression on me. He then began to give me a drunken discourse on early 20th century existentialism that was honestly far more informative than anything I had learn in that religion class. That was my first real exposure to existentialism, even if it was a perverse interpretation from a guy who used it as rationalization to have two steady girlfriends at once (which is a great story in itself since both women once showed up at the same party, broke up with Tony and then both got back together with him a few days later). Tony insisted that I read the book again, this time with a greater understanding of its deeper meaning. I did. And I did yet again because I had to re-take that religion class since I bombed it the first time (hey, what can I say? My first few years of academia were anything but academic...). Tony was right. Upon re-reading the book, I found a much deeper meaning within its pages. I began to identify with the protagonist. I began to realize that I, too, was a stranger. Not just to myself or to others, but a stranger in society itself questioning how so many others can so easily and readily accept the absurd constructs of this world both physical and metaphysical. This book didn't change my way of thinking; it just echoed what I had already long been feeling. I realized that I was not alone. Later on in college I took an upper-level philosophy class in which we discussed the meaning of life (or, in some cases, the lack thereof). We read essays by Sarte and Camus, including the Myth of Sisyphus, which particularly hit home. My subscription to the existential philosophy was sealed.

Throughout my youth I had felt out of place. I suppose we all feel like that, but to me there was an empty void that could not be filled. In reflection, I realize that like Meursault, I had become so desensitized by the ennui and the mundane that I sought extreme behaviors just so I could "feel" something. This can explain my constant trouble in school, reckless behavior, early experimentation with substances, and general juvenile delinquency despite coming from a good home with loving parents. Every parent/teacher conference was the same: we know that John has potential but he keeps wasting it... he hangs out with bad influences... blah blah blah. One particularly perceptive teacher even pointed out that I was living a duality: one John was smart, played sports and knew how to "fit in" while the other was self-destructive, anti-authoritarian and hung out with "the bad crowd." Which one was I? Hell, I didn't even know.

I pretty much kicked around in this mode well into my twenties. I didn't have a real existence, I merely existed. As the years have gone on, I have assimilated more into what society expects of me. I have a college degree (two in fact), I'm married, and have two kids, a stable job and a mortgage and auto payment. I can see what the attraction is to this kind of life. It is certainly much easier and I can honestly say that I am generally a much happier person than I was then. I am lucky to have a loving relationship with my wife and family and I hold a respectable position within my company. But am I really any different now than I was then? I am still living in a duality. Sometimes I feel that I was trapped into this job out of necessity, not out of desire. I sought my business degree so I could support my family when all else failed. Although I have done well and have advanced, I often feel that I am living a fraudulent life as if this really isn't "me." Of course, I have matured well past that angry and rebellious younger version of me and I'm not that guy, either. People here have no idea of who I used to be. When the other financial manager here noticed the hole in my ear she exclaimed, "YOU had your ears pierced?" When I mentioned in the break room once that I had a tattoo on my back, I was met with a flood of stares and, again, the remark "YOU have a tattoo?" When I alluded to my shady past once with one of my co-workers she just laughed and said that she just couldn't see it. I have truly become everything that I swore I never would be.

On the other hand, the non-conformist in me still likes to shine through. My approach to my job function is radically different than how it has always been handled in the past. I remember when I first started that I went over to the customer service dept to inquire about a discrepancy. Everyone literally stopped what they were doing and stared at me. When I asked what was going on, I was told that financial guys NEVER come over there. Why not? How does anything get done? Another time when I was talking to the same group of CSRs they were making fun of the financial dept. When I threw in my objection they insisted that I shouldn't worry because I "wasn't one of those guys." When I started in the division I am in now I was warned of a particular sales rep that had a history of being disagreeable, uncooperative and a handful of other pejoratives. From day one I have gotten along with her, and almost two years later I am quite happy to say that she not only reps for my cleanest account group by far (thanks to her help), but I consider her a good friend whom I enjoy talking with often.

So, the question returns, "who am I?" Am I this role that I play each day? Am I really a rebel trapped in this disguise? I still don't know. I am still a stranger. I still subscribe to the tenets of existentialism, but as I referred to in yesterday's post, just because I do not believe in an overall meaning to life, does not mean that I think my life has to be meaningless. I have sought meaning by engaging myself in relationships that are meaningful to me. I believe that the void can be filled with mutual love, both romantic and platonic. I happily embrace my role of husband and father. I have friendships that have lasted longer than our ages when they began. These roles have meaning to me. However, the non-conformist is itching to break free. I want these things, but I need more. A role as a mere cog in the production wheel is not meaningful to me. I know a lot of people feel this way, but I want to be one of the ones who do something about it. I want to live by my own design, to not just derive meaning but to provide it. I no longer want to be the stranger.

You Wasted Life, Why Wouldn't You Waste Death?

I am not a hard determinist. I don't believe in a master plan, a grand design or even the Wheel of Samsara. I believe that we first exist and then create our essence, not the other way around. A lot of people would probably seriously wonder how someone could live this way. Perhaps it is a rebuke of eighteen years of Presbyterian predestination indoctrination. Perhaps I've just read too much Camus and Sarte. But honestly, if given a choice of whether I would want to serve a purpose or create one for myself, I would much rather be in charge of my own life's path (or at least believe I am). Is it any better to have everything predetermined, pre-programmed and already "written in the book?" Personally, I find it more depressing to believe that everything is planned and that every act and decision I make has been planned by fate. Doesn't that just make me a puppet of destiny? If some are destined to be great, does that mean the purpose for the rest of us is to serve as contrast to make those people look great? I don't know if I can subscribe to that kind of caste system philosophy of life.

Many feel that living a life without a predetermined meaning or designed purpose equals living a life without joy. Personally, I would have less joy knowing that I am forced to live a life that isn't mine than existing in a life without a predestined meaning. However, just because there is no meaning to life that doesn't mean that one's life has to be meaningless. Each of our lives contains the meaning we assign to it. Sure there is inequities in our respective starting points in life, but all of us contain the potential to be great. We create our own essence, our own purpose. What does your life mean to you? It doesn't have to be an empty existence of isolation. It is what you make it to be.

I know this is a pretty heavy subject for Inaction-in-Action, but I woke up with this in my head and felt that I had to get it down. I am constantly re-evaluating my life's meaning and the purpose that I have set for myself in this existence. What is my purpose? To be a good husband? A good father? A good financial manager? Sure, those are all excellent traits to strive for, but do they create a purpose? Some would argue that, yes, they do create a purpose because if each of us did our best in each of our respective spheres of influence, then collectively we could improve society as a whole. While I feel that there is some truth in that, I desire to leave a bigger footprint with my life. No, I am not about to run away and join the circus nor would I discount the importance of being a good husband and father to the family I love. What I am aiming at is a desire to grow beyond the present parameters I have set for myself. What have I done to better this world? What meaning has my life had for others? Has it mattered that I lived? I need to create a broader purpose for myself so I can answer those questions with the responses that I desire and will create meaning for my own life and for other's. For while existence provides us with the opportunity to create our own essence, it just as easily takes it away. Our lives are but a flicker of light in a sea of eternal darkness. However, I want mine to leave green spots in your eyes long after my flicker is faded and gone. I have work to do.

Speaking of work to do, the Big Boss Lady is coming into town today and will be here any minute. Time to post this now.

Watch in my Pockets, Arms in my Bones; Hear Me Up a Buyers and the Microphone

Monday. Well, another week of non-stop fun begins. I have been busy today mostly with odds and ends. The good news is that I am making headway in my past-due collections. The bad news is that due to glitches in our customer's new computer system, we haven't been paid for a majority of invoices billed since July. So... that pretty much means that I am running in place since today's currents will be tomorrow's past dues fairly quickly.

Last Saturday was Potato Day in Greeley, Colorado. For those of you who don't know Greeley, let's just say that it is the kind of town that I would only visit on Potato Day (overheard sentiment from one college-age female to another: "I had no idea you could have fun in Greeley"). Included with the price of admission is a huge baked potato with all of the fixin's and a full day's fun of potato-related events. The girls even got to have their picture taken with a giant walking potato-person. This was my third Potato Day and a good time was definitely had by all.

This past weekend was definitely a crazy one for college football. First I have to complain that the Tennessee game was not televised. I know what you may be thinking: hey, you live in Colorado, not Tennessee, so of course it wasn't televised. Well, since UT played the Air Force Academy, which is 2 hours away in Colorado Springs, it should have been an in-market game. Totally lame. Anyway, in an excellent example of the paradox of me being a big football fan yet still a complete nerd, I watched the game on my computer's game tracker. It was probably a good thing I didn't see I probably would have had a heart attack watching AFA almost comeback to win in the final seconds only to have their 2-point conversion blocked, handing Tennessee the win. I had no idea this game would be so close. As much as I love my Vols, I have to give props to the AFA. Good job, Cadets.

In other good football news, my alma mater, Colorado State University, defeated in-state rival University of Colorado. As per usual, this game was a close one that came down to wire. As per unusual, CSU actually came out on top this time. For those who said that the new CSU QB was the next Bradlee Van Pelt, I have to completely disagree. Hanie is a far more accurate passer than BVP. Of course, BVP wouldn't have been sacked 6 times, either. Anyway, way to go Rammies! Bragging rights are ours for the next year!

On the flip side of my predictions, I was WAY off on my calls that Texas would take Ohio State and that Penn State would take Notre Dame. What can I say, these things happen. That is why I stress that my predictions are for entertainment purposes only...

In professional news, the Denver Broncos blew their home opener. Hey, it's hard to win when you turn the ball over 5 times. The defense looked spectacular out there, though. Unfortunately the offense couldn't compliment them with even a minuscule effort. Get it together, guys. KC is next week.

I listened to some new music this morning, but I think I am going to save my review until tomorrow since both days will have tunes from the same group and this post is starting to get a little long. Hasta mañana, mi amigos-

Faster Than Any Boy Cold Ever Describe; Whose Got that Love So Deep and Everything Alive

Friday. I admit I must have been a little grumpy or something yesterday and it came out in my post. I tend to be a pretty even-headed guy, but I guess even the most laid back of us have our moments. Today hasn't been too bad, though. So far it has actually been kind of relaxing and I am able to get caught up on a lot of stuff. So that is definitely pretty cool.

Since I didn't go over my college football picks yesterday, here they are:

Tennessee plays the Air Force Academy this week. This is one of those games that I consider a double bonus. First, unless Tennessee completely unravels, this should be an easy home win for the Volunteers. Second, Air Force is in Colorado State's conference, so a loss to Tennessee will in turn give CSU an edge in the conference standings. UT looked great last week against a 9th ranked Cal team. As long as the Vols keep their heads and don't get too overconfident, look for them to go 2-0 after this weekend.

The biggest game of the week is unquestionably no. 1 Ohio State versus no. 2 Texas. This is not only big because it's a match-up of the top two teams, but also is a rematch of last year's contest when Texas came back late in the game to win over the Buckeyes. OSU has been looking at this date since last year for revenge and should be a hot one regardless of their respective rankings. It's pretty much an even pick, but it is in Texas and I think that is going to give the Longhorns the advantage. Look for a fired up OSU, but Texas hanging on for the win.

Another good match-up in the top 25 is no. 19 Penn State versus no. 4 Notre Dame. These two teams are reviving a rivalry that has been on hold for 13 years. Notre Dame comes into the game with the higher ranking and much ballyhooed QB Brady Quinn, but I thought the Irish looked weak against Georgia Tech last weekend. Penn State looked sharp, on the other hand, and if JoePa's team can put up a strong defense against Quinn they have a good shot at taking it, even in South Bend. The smart money is on Notre Dame, but I've never claimed to be that smart plus I don't really care much for Notre Dame (join a conference already!). Look for an upset by the Nittany Lions in this one.

Another huge match-up that you might not hear much about is the Mile High Showdown between my alma mater Colorado State and the University of Colorado. This one is close every year, but the Buffs have taken the past two. However, I think the winds are in the Rams' favor this time. First, after two years of playing in Boulder (those arrogant scaredy cats NEVER come to Fort Collins EVER) they have finally listened to the fans and returned the game to neutral ground in Mile High Stadium where it belongs. CSU is fielding the best team they've had in years and is coming off of a big win. CU on the other hand has a new coach and is coming off an embarrassing loss to a lower division team. The big question is whether or not this loss will have the Buffs looking for validation against the Rams or the beginning of a long series of disappointments this season. No matter what, it is going to be close and emotions are going to be riding high on both sides. The key for the Rams is to play strong defense like last week and to get out and score early. An early lead will take the wind out of an already-shaky Buffs team still reeling from last week's loss. Get out there and score some points Rammies and bragging rights are ours!!!

Ok, that's it for now. I hope you all have a swell weekend-

We All Become Important When We Realize Our Goal Should be to Figure Out Our Role Within the Context of the Whole

Thursday. Man, I am really dragging today. I have been sleepy all day and all I can think about is laying my head down on a nice, fluffy pillow and falling asleee....

Huh wah?... Oh, sorry about that... Today is not the day for sleeping anyway because I've got a whole stack of stuff to do, like updating the receivables website and working through the adjustment account (a task I foolishly volunteered for). Right now I am typing this while on a teleconference regarding customer claims and discrepancies. This is certainly not helping me stay awake. Maybe more coffee will help...

You know, some kind soul first thing in the morning sets out coffee filters containing fresh pre-measured coffee grounds ready to go for brewing. When the pot runs out, all you have to do is dump out the basket, put in one of these fresh packets, hit start and everyone is good to go for another round of lovely hot java. But... do you all know how many times I go into the break room looking for a fresh cup of wakeup fuel, that one shiny bright point of every mid-morning that I look so forward to, just to find that some jerk (or jerkette) took the last cup without making a fresh pot?! Seriously, how hard is it to change it out and press start? What, are those 15 seconds so valuable in your day that you have to abandon all common courtesy without thought to your fellow co-workers? As my desk neighbor said after listening to my little rant, "if we can't even count on each other to do the littlest things like that, how do we expect to be able to come together as a team and get our jobs done?" I think you just hit the nail on the head, brother.

Sorry about that little digression, but that kind of stuff really ticks me off. Just like the person who has sat in my chair the past couple of nights after I have left and has re-adjusted all of my settings. Hey, I don't mind if you borrow my chair, but at least put things back the way you found them. I'd rather not have my armrests higher than my ears or my seat so low that my knees hit me in the face when I try to sit down first thing in the morning, thank you.

Man, I just went off on another rant there without even intending too. I must be harboring some kind of internal rage today. That is an interesting combination: physical sloth and mental rage. I'M SUPER TICKED OFF AND I'M NOT GOING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT BUT CONSIDER TAKING A GOOD NAP!!! At least it isn't the other way around. That could be dangerous. I could end up holding public office if that happened.

I know I have been lame lately with the music discussions, but I assure you all that I am currently in the process of securing more tunes to review. Starting next week I should have some good stuff to talk about, so stay tuned.

Since I promised not to discuss football in this post, you all will just have to wait until tomorrow to see whether or not I am going to pick Tennessee over Air Force Academy this weekend. I know you are all on the edge of your seat so try to hang on. In the meantime I am going to ride out the last hour and twenty minutes of my work day and hope that I wake up enough to make the hour-long commute back home without scraping against the guard rail more than four or five times...

Making So Much Noise You Don’t Know When to Listen

Tuesday (or is it Monday? It feels like a Monday, but it's Tuesday. Hmmm...). Well, I'm back after a long holiday weekend. And what a good holiday weekend it was. I said it last year and I'll say it again, Labor Day is my favorite holiday. I'm serious. Think about it. There are no obligations, no pressures, no presents to buy, no costumes to dress in, and it hasn't been over commercialized with candy, cards or imaginary characters in which we have to lie to our children about. There are no ties whatsoever. Sure, you may feel like having a barbeque or going camping, but you don't HAVE to. All you have to do is not work. It is simply a "thank you for working enjoy your day off." Trust me, I do every year.

This year we had guests in town, so we spent the weekend doing various Colorado things and enjoying the time together. The first day we hung out in Fort Collins and checked out the local sites. Sunday we spent down in Denver going to the zoo (for the kids) and then hanging out on the 16th Street Mall (for us). On Labor Day itself we drove down to Colorado Springs and enjoyed some scenic beauty at Seven Falls. I still think that Colorado Springs is kind of touristy, but since we had actual tourists with us it worked out just fine.

During the in-between times I got to watch a lot of opening weekend college football. I know this was an easy week for picks, but I ended up sweeping all of my predictions. Since 21 of the top 25 teams scheduled pushovers the first week, everything fell out as predicted. There were no major upsets except when #23 Tennessee soundly defeated a #9 ranked Cal 35-18. Trust me, it wasn't even that close. All of Cal's points were scored in the second half, with 15 coming in the fourth quarter when UT's replacements were in. Ainge even looked pretty sharp out there. I was certainly pleased with this start by my beloved Vols.

Also not disappointing was my alma mater Colorado State. I said in my predictions that if CSU's defense could stop the run, then the Rams would take the victory. Well, they must have listened to me because they held Weber State to a record low negative 38 yards rushing. Yes, you heard me, -38 yards total rushing. Awesome. Final score 30-6.

A team that didn't fare so well against a Big Sky opponent was the University of Colorado who lost in a huge upset to Montana State 19-10. Although my dislike for the Buffs has gone down a bit with Gary Barnett finally gone, I still can't help but smile at the in-state rival dropping one to a Division 1-AA school. Hopefully this embarrassment doesn't fuel any fire for the CU/CSU game this weekend...

My other pick this week was Florida State over Miami, which if you saw the game last night was as close as I predicted. I said it was an even pick, but I chose FSU to come out on top. That they did with a field goal late in the game to seal Miami's fate.

Ok, enough football for now. I promise my next post will be football-free. Until then, I hope that you all had a glorious Labor Day weekend as well, and here's looking forward to a great autumn!