Other Topics
This is simply a mishmash of topics that I didn’t want to highlight on the main navigation bar, but still wanted accessible in some fashion. Many of these posts date from the early days of my blog, so be warned.
6 embarrassing facts you didn’t know about the Arizona Wildcats
6) Depressed mascot Rufus Arizona, UA’s first live wildcat mascot, hung himself from a tree limb on April 17, 1916—just months after being purchased as the school’s mascot. I suspect he was suicidal after he learned the story of how the university adopted the wildcats nickname. 5) Another dead cat In 1885, when the 13th … Read more
The real story behind Arizona’s “Bear Down” motto
UA loves the Bear Down story, even though it’s far less appealing than the myth and probably isn’t true. The story goes, star QB and class president “Button” Salmon gets critically injured in a car wreck. His dying words are to Coach McKale at his bedside, telling the team to “bear down” in their upcoming big … Read more
It’s Time.
I cannot wait for tonight’s game—this has been a very long offseason. Expectations for the season Dennis Erickson needs to win at least 8 games to save his job. He’s been building this team for too long. The defense will be generally solid, especially against the run. We have enough talent on the offensive side … Read more
My 33 before 33 list
On the heels of completing my 101 things in 1001 days challenge, I’ve decided to launch a new goal list for the upcoming year. Given the amount of change I’ll likely see in 2011, I decided to focus on a shorter time period and instead launch a 33 before 33 list. Like my 101 in … Read more
Some Arizona Wildcat jokes for the ASU-U of A rivalry game
Every rivalry needs some jokes. The annual Duel in the Desert is no different. Below are a few I’ve collected over the years. You may also be interested in some great plays of the Duel in the Desert, or reading up on 5 embarrassing facts about U of A, or checking out an album of UA memes. Q. … Read more
Happiness: focus on the process, not the outcome
Professor Srikumar S. Rao discusses why you already have what you need to be happy. You just have to ditch the “if..then” mental construct of happiness and focus your attention on the process itself. I think he’s on to something, though his explanation of how to re-configure this mental challenge is a bit inadequate. You … Read more
The surprising truth about what motivates us
Worth the ten minutes.
How the Arizona Hiking Shack made me a repeat customer
Local businesses can really rock sometimes. Case in point: the Arizona Hiking Shack. The Arizona Hiking Shack is what you might expect from an independent outdoor retailer jammed into an awkward, ill-conceived corner of a strip mall dedicated to antiques and other worthless items. Once inside, you’ll find the trend continues. No sexy display racks, ADA compliant pathways, … Read more