By the Time that I Get Home to Say Goodnight

I don't think that it would do the last few days justice to submit my experience in some sort of contrived travelogue so I will just hit the highlights.

• I finished Plan of Attack on Wednesday. A fascinating read for anyone who still has a lot of questions about the Iraq war.
  
• I began Jon Krakauer's Into the Wild on Friday and finished up on the drive back on Sunday. I was not driving. I would recommend Krakauer's book to anyone who has ever wanted to wander off in the woods to disappear for awhile and has wondered where that desire comes from and if it is ever present in others.
  

Thanksgiving was a lot of fun and one of the first times that I have begun to discuss a lot of big questions with my extended family. It is a common axiom that religion and politics should not mix into family conversation, but during our time on the back porch on Thursday before lunch we talked about everything from Tom DeLay to Hillary Clinton, intelligent design vs. evolution, and asked the big question of: what exists outside of the universe?

I hate to say it, but I think Vince might have ruined his chances for the hardware this year. After Reggie Bush's performance for the ages against Fresno State, #10 needed a big game in a marquee matchup against a determined A&M squad, but instead he looked mediocre for the first time all season. Vince has already said he is coming back for his Senior year and I think that is a very wise call on his part. He will never lack for physical ability, but the ability to consistently perform at the highest level is something that he will hopefully develop with continued work.

I received an incredible gift last night, one that I have been destined to receive from the first day that I was born into a state as blessed as the Lone Star state. Yes, that's correct, I received an autographed copy of "It's a Jungle out There", a definitive guide to Texas High School mascots in their various shapes, sizes, and species. My favorite mascot though is still the "Wampus Cats" of Itasca.

Congratulations to Andrew Tuegel for correctly naming "Square One" by Coldplay as the source of the title for the last post.