I grew up on Old Route 66, so I suppose road trips run through my veins. And I don’t think it is coincidence that I am somewhat of a visual thinker … Ha … probably influenced by all that overexposure to the artwork of Route 66. The billboards, the Indian teepees and the curio shops (for souvenirs).
My favorite? It’s what I call a “progressive billboard.” Ever see one of those series of signs on the side of the road, staggered at 1/10-of-a-mile intervals?: “Gas Ahead,” “Cactus Jelly,””Rattlesnake Head Pillows” “Texas-Size Cigars,”Onyx Chess Sets,” “Real Arrowheads” …
I love those. When driving by, I always find myself accelerating to get to the next sign, to see what possibly might top “Armadillo Flip Flops.”
Two of my readers tell me they prefer the “Blogs About Nothing” on this Website. Well … lately I haven’t “had nothing” on my mind.
I search newspapers and Websites for meaningless topics — looking for nothingness. Most of the stuff nearly qualifies. Then the other day, I got lucky. I tuned in to a Dallas talk radio program. They gave me the nothing I needed.
At a conference in San Francisco a couple of weeks ago, an executive from Facebook made the comment that Twitter users are much more tech savvy than “friends.” Well, that may be so, but of course Facebook is taking over the world as we know it, regardless. I mean … everyone is on Facebook, even the uncoolest of the uncool, right? … Case in point, I am there. But then again, @PingWiFi has been on Twitter for a bit too.
I guess there is something to be said for being ahead of the nerd curve …
Well … I have to eat crow after that crack about Texas Tech having Northwestern out-manned in the inaugural TicketCity Bowl. The Northwestern Wildcats stormed back the second half of play, before succumbing to Tech, 45-38, in an offensive showcase, or a defensive circus depending on who you talk to.
At the half, Tech had dominated Northwestern, outscoring them 24-6.
We will continue to tweet live from the pressbox and the sidelines of the inaugural TicketCity Bowl, here at the old Cotton Bowl in Dallas. It is halftime, with Texas Tech leading Northwestern 24-6.
BTW, The Old Cotton Bowl pressbox has not one but three Wi-Fi hotspots up here … color me impressed … wish the speed were a little faster — 6 pings.
I won’t lie. It gives me a scare every time a tackle is made at my feet, and I get a little camera shy. My hat goes off to the guys who take a lickin and the camera keeps on tickin. So far, no impact. There is something about Texas Tech football. Every time I have been on the sidelines, the action has come right to me. Two days ago at the Armed Forces Bowl, I couldn’t get anything to happen in front of me.
After a 14-year hiatus, Coach Rich Ellerson’s Army Black Knights returned to bowl action today and beat the SMU Mustangs 16-14 at home, before a record crowd in the relocated Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl.
SMU football is .500 in the bowl category since Coach June Jones breathed life into the Stangs program. Unfortunately, the “L” in the two-game bowl record came at home, before 36,000 spectators in Dallas at Gerald J. Ford Stadium.
Army and SMU walked away at the half of The Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl with 16 points on the board — all of them belonging to The Black Knights. Army seemed to dominate the low scoring game with more physical play, pressuring SMU Quarterback Kyle Padron incessantly.
Military Message
SMU Running Game
Padron and The Ponies showed moments of brilliance actually opening the game, with a 45-yard completion on their first play from scrimmage. But the drive stalled, Padron fumbled what would have been a sack for a loss, and Army’s Josh McNary recovered and advanced the fumble for a new Armed Forces Bowl Record — a 55-yard fumble recovery TD.
Missed Tackle
Army got its second score of the game driving 80 yards in 8 plays, eating up just under five minutes off the clock. Army’s Malcolm Brown ran it in from 13 yards out. The point after was blocked.
Army Downs Punt Deep In Ponyville
Army finished the first half scoring with an Alex Carlton field goal from 44 yards out.
If you are a blogger, sometimes there is a tendency to write a little more colorful than “old school” journalists. Sometimes zany is appropriate. Other times — such as covering football during bowl season — one should keep a stiff upper lip.
Ha … I struggle with that. This is the third bowl season for the PingWi-Fi team, so I think we are actually gaining some street cred with the bowl authorities and such. Accordingly, we play by the rules most of the time.
Sometimes I’ll admit, we stumble. But hey, we’re bloggers.
Texas Tech Linebacker Bront Bird, "Wildcatter" Steven Sheffield brandishing weapons outside Dallas' House Of Blues
It’s starting to look a lot like bowl season.
After a quick holiday, PingWi-Fi.com is totally stoked dude to be back from California in time to cover college football action in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metromess. We’ll check out the press conference for the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl (SMU vs. Army) at the Omni Fort Worth.
