Hokie Humbling

I have spent the last few hours nursing my wounds.  As one of my sorority sisters put it yesterday, the Hokies "broke my little football heart."  Virginia Tech football is one of my favorite pastimes.  And we're not used to losing.  And with some of the talent we possess, we shouldn't have to be losing... Now we know how the Hoos feel every year.  But it's so much worse than that.

photo credit: Boston Globe

When you start your season with such national title buzz, it's harder.  If I had a dime for how many times I heard "this could be THE year" I would be a rich lady! "We've got Evans and Williams (sidenote: does anyone think that's funny?? like Evan Williams, or as Matt calls it Evil Williams) we're going to be unstoppable."  Well I don't care who we have in the backfield, folks.  Because until our O Line can nut up and do their job and a competent offensive coordinator is in place, Evans and Williams can't shine.

This week has been humiliating if you're a Hokie.  And humbling.  I am coming to terms with the fact, and suggesting that you do, too, that we just may not be that good this year.  This notion totally sucks.  We're used to winning and succeeding.  Monday night, we should have beaten Boise State, but we made too many mistakes.  Everyone thought JMU was a mark in the W column as soon as it was scheduled.  And we absolutely were humiliated.  At home. In the rain.  See Boston College game.  You know which one I'm talkin' about...

We as fans need to acclimate to the fact that we cannot discount anyone this year.  Unless we get our s together and quick, we will lose to GT and Miami... and could lose to people we assume we will beat (e.g. Duke and UVA).  If UVA beats us at home on November 27th, I will lose my shit.  But it's a possibility we have to entertain this year.

People threatening to sell their season tix are simply grieving.  You know they won't do that jank.  When you're a Hokie, you're a Hokie for life.  I will bleed maroon and orange until the day I die and they will too.  So let's get back up and cheer for a redemptive rest of the season.  GO TECH GO!!

XOXO,

P.S: ESPN ACC reporter Heather Denich (or something like that) wrote a blog about the Hokies in which she referred to the Lunch Pail as a Garbage Pail.  I say let's find her house and roll it with tp.

Summer Breeze... Is It Possible I am Tired of You?

Confession time... I have had my first hankering for the autumn season possibly ever this week.  Typically, I never want summer to end.  It is this wonderland of sunscreen, warmth and water, which I love.  This summer, it has been the wonderland of mosquito bites, high cooling bills, unbearable heat and humidity and overcommitments.  I didn't set a foot in the warm sand of the coast, which makes me sort of feel like summer was never here in the first place.  I did get some pool time which was absolutely the highlight of these past few months.

I went perusing in the craft store Monday.  And guess what? It smells like cinnamonny goodness and is full of autumn artificial flowers.  The rich reds, oranges and yellows filled the front half of the store.  Not to mention they had Halloween knick knacks out already.

I did what my Grammy calls a "sashay" through Stein Mart to find fall sweaters and slacks peaking through the sale racks of sundresses.  Autumn in just around the corner and I am not mad.  And my feelings on the matter are shocking me.

I bought a new planner and binder for student teaching because Walmart has their back to school aisles full and ready.  Back to school shopping was always a favorite as a little Audrey.  I remember the excitement of hitting a freshly sharpened pencil to a brand new clean notebook.  My handwriting stayed neat for two weeks max in honor of the occasion!  I also liked getting back to school clothes with my Mom, something I need to plan to do at the end of August to ensure I have well-fitting and versatile business casual wear for student teaching.

Also worthy of note, I talked about/made potential plans with my Dad for football season for the first time this week.  If anything marks the change of summer to fall for Hokies, this is it.  We have our eyes on a couple home games and in approximately five weeks, the season will commence.  If you know me at all, you know this is huge.  A home VT game is the ultimate fall experience.  A greasy overpriced jumbo turkey leg and all the discreetly transported bourbon in your already intoxicated friend's socks... tailgating and chanting in the parking lot with complete strangers as you play cornhole or just sit your can in a chair and drink some (many) cold ones.  You know beyond a shadow of a doubt your new parking lot friends are okay because they are Hokies.  Until then...
Get Your Lane Fix...

All I can think about are light cardigans and dark jeans with flats a light scarf and no jacket.  All I can smell is that woody fall smell, the moisture-drained air, apples and sharpened pencils... All I can hear is a loud Lane Stadium... All I can see are my little second graders' faces...or what I am envisioning they look like, seeing as we have not met. And I am ready for fall.

XOXO,