traci in the swamp

92 year old, blind golfer gets a hole-in-one

I've been exhausted lately.  The past week or so, I've come home, made dinner, did the dishes, and flopped in front of the computer for a few more hours and then hit the hay around 10:00 p.m. ( which is much earlier than my normal 11/midnight routine).  Last night, Matt and I were so bad, we both were fast asleep in front of the television before 9:30 p.m.

So, imagine my reality check, when I saw this article this morning, as I made my rounds checking all my new sites (I'm a news-junkie, I can't help it). 

Leo Fiyalko is 92 years-old, plays golf every Thursday, and is legally blind, due to macular degeneration, yet he made a hole-in-one during a recent golf outing.  According to the article's stats, the odds of that for a professional player are 3,000 to 1. 

I think this article should give me a little more energy (and inspiration!).  Congratulations, Mr. Fiyalko!

Oregon crushes USF...

The above headline says it all.  What a bad way to end the year! 

One last team to hope for:  Go Gators!!

A New Orleans Christmas

Like most Christmases, Matt and I went to New Orleans (his home town) this year.  New Orleans is a neat place, one of those supremely unique places that can't be duplicated any where else.  Amazing food, interesting accents, beautiful architecture and of course, family are all important draws to the city. 

I can remember my first trip, visiting Commanders' Palace and eating quail for the first time.  Now, quail is a big deal for a girl who grew up on truly Irish foods (a.k.a. potato/carbohydrates). I can remember Christmas 2005 - a white Christmas actually.  And then the following year, Katrina bore down on New Orleans and we shared Christmas in Tampa with everyone.  I've become accustomed to eating Buche de Noel (Yule Log) Christmas eve.  As well as watching everyone eat pounds and pounds of crawfish and stuffed artichoke (which I love).  I've also learned about the Cajun Night Before Christmas (and got my own copy last year) as well as the story of Mr. Bingle (I got my own this year), Who Dat? and fleur-de-lis.  So needless to say, New Orleans has become my kind of holiday adopted home! 

Although it's late, it's better than never - I hope everyone had a blessed and Merry Christmas!

Happy Anniversary!

Happy one year anniversary to us! 

Does that mean we aren't newlyweds anymore?

No discussion...

There will be no discussion about USF's Thursday night's game.  I'm still trying to recover.

Holy crap - USF is #6!

I never intended this blog to become me just following football, although I'm sure it seems like that.  Regardless, I want to brag, and that's what my blog is for, right?

Somehow USF has managed to become #6 in the college football rankings after their win against West Virgina Friday night.  That's even better than University of Florida (#9) and is the best in the Big East. Am I shocked?  Yes!  Am I proud to be an alumna (and actually a current student) of the University of South Florida?  Of course!  Do I now have bragging rights in the house with my Gator husband?  Umm...yes!!!

Update:  Matt and I got tickets for the USF v. UCF game October 13, but will be in the top section of Raymond James (section 330) since these are the "best available".  Looks like another sell out.  Also check out this story about USF and watch the corresponding video - too funny.  The sportscaster stutters on USF "US....F" and "Matt Grothhh-e".  Hopefully one day people will get it right!

It's gonna be a nail biter...

It's been an exiting time reading the newspapers and blogs in anticipation of the USF v. WVU game tomorrow night (USF won last year).  I've seen more and more people wearing their green and gold, even here in Gainesville.  Last week, Matt and I stopped for pizza at Tony and Pat's and a saw a table full of people with USF gear.  We shared the bulls sign and a "Go Bulls" conversation ensued.  And I felt part of something.  I could finally tell how Gator fans feel, since they have been "part of something" for a long time.  Not saying you only become part of something when you're team is ranked, but things do change - people have more feelings of pride and excitement, and display it with honor, like people wearing USF stuff here in Gainesville and not only wearing it 10 miles outside of campus.  Even the mayor of Tampa declared Friday - "Green and Gold Day" and will be displaying the colors in Tampa.

I'm looking forward to Friday night and will enjoy the game with a bowl of chips and dip in the comfort of the living room.  While we can't go to this game (the first sell out in history) we'll hopefully be heading down to Tampa for the great new rivalry - USF v. UCF - October 13!

Once again, 3 for 3!

I'm keeping my toes crossed as I write this, so I don't jinx myself or the team, but USF keeps moving up in the college football rankings - this time moving up from #23 - to #18.  This is such a great deal for USF and one of those important moments in their history.

The only thing that did annoy and offend me, is the fact that the St. Pete Times replaced the news about USF's win against UNC with the Gators' win over Ole Miss on the Times' website.  Now I know the Gators are the 2006 National Champions (I'm a fan too), but they are not the home team (last time I checked University of Florida is in Gainesville, I drive by it every single day - I should know!  And the University of South Florida is in Tampa- the same general place the Times' is located - geez!).  Anyway, I'm stepping off my high horse/soap box now - just had to vent about that.

UCF also beat Memphis Saturday - 56-20 (ouch!).  I must have missed this story, but apparently there were no water fountains built in the stadium, until just this week.  President Hitt was kind enough to help pass out water bottles to fans and new water fountains were installed before the Saturday's game.  This didn't keep fans away though, and 42,153 people came to see UCF win again! 

I continue to remain very proud of three Florida teams.

There is a first for everything: USF Ranked #23!

Well, the time has come and I couldn't be prouder to be a graduate of two excellent Florida schools.  USF is officially a ranked football team for the first time.  The AP Poll has USF ranked as #23 and the USA Today Poll has USF ranked as #24. Matt and I have been USF fans for a while and the picture to the left is evidence (taken when we saw USF play NC State in Charlotte, NC in the Meineke Car Care Bowl 2005).

 

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In the other part of the state, UCF played their first game in their new stadium.  The Knights played the Texas Longhorns and although UCF lost, Texas did not have an easy game by any means.  This article sums it up perfectly.

And in local news here, UF beat Tennessee and moved up to #3 in the rankings.  (Sorry Tonia!!)

The Football Gods are smiling on USF

Matt and I met some of his friends at Ale House here in Gainesville.  We waited until the last minute to leave as we were watching the Auburn vs. USF game and somehow USF was winning.  (It was only the first half, so I was trying not to get my hopes up).

We got to Ale House and thankfully the game was on (not sure how it couldn't be, since Ale House does have about three dozen televisions).

Somehow USF managed to do, what many thought was impossible.  They beat #17 Auburn - 26 to 23 in OT.  Quarterback Matt Grothe once again showed his talent throwing a 14 yard touchdown pass in overtime.  USF could have won this game in regulation, if Delbert Alvarado could have actually made any field goals. 

Regardless, USF beat Auburn and I have a sore throat from screaming at Ale House!

Go Bulls!!!