Rest in peace, dear friend

We didn't get to spend enough time together, and that is my main regret. The five months you were in my life were some of the best ones I've known. Through sick times, you were there to comfort me. Every night, when I would get home, you would show your excitement and greet me with the only way you knew to hug me. It was me and you, kid, and that was supposed to just be the beginning.

From the moment we met, I knew we were meant to be a pair. The first time you got in the truck, your legs were a bit wobbly and you enjoyed falling down in the floor more than sitting in the chair. Your favorite place to ride for the longest time was my lap. Luckily, after a handful of trips to nana's house, you grew out of that.

Wednesday could very well be the toughest day of my life. They called to tell me that it didn't look good. Please know this: I trusted you with no one else's care better than the vets who looked after you. Nana promised to keep me up-to-date on your recovery. Except, there would be no recovery.

Around 10 a.m., I got the second-worst call I've ever received. They told me to make my way to say goodbye. Goodbye. Even a couple of days later, I can't keep from tearing up knowing that I had to say this to you.

I drove through rain and traffic as fast as I could to get to you. I hadn't cried in a long time, but I couldn't stop knowing that it wasn't fair. We had so many more memories to make together, you and me. It wasn't fair.

I passed the ASPCA building where we met. Needless to say, I won't be going by there any time soon. It's just too hard. When I got near the vet's office, where you laid sedated and helpless against the raging fever, I lost it again. It just wasn't fair.

We all agreed to meet at nana's office and go as one to say goodbye. There were hardly any words spoken. We weren't ready for you to leave us yet. You had become such a big part of our lives in just a short time. It just didn't seem fair at all.

When I walked back there to see you, my heart dropped. The shaking, the chattering...I still can't get it out of my head. You were hurting so bad that I could barely stand it. I just wanted you to feel better and to come back with me, but I knew we could only have one way to ensure this of happening.

This was one of, if not, the hardest decisions I've had to make in nearly 27 years of living. I love you so much that I couldn't let you go that easily. I know you were fighting to come back to us, but hope was fading fast. It's just not fair.

When you woke up, I saw the hurt in your eyes. I saw the longing to get up and shake it off as you had done with every single antic and laughable moment you had in your too short lifespan. The pain was just too much, and I couldn't bear to have you feel it again. That's when I knew it was time to make the choice.

I just don't want you to hold it against me. I can't walk by your cage, and every time I see one of your toys (hidden or otherwise) I break down. You changed my life in so many ways and all of them for the better. The void I have right now will not be easily filled and the time it will take to get past the hurt...I can't figure that part out yet.

So, please know, Rudi, that I love and miss you more every minute. I know you are in a better place, and I long for the day that we can be together again - making the memories we didn't get the chance for here. Sleep well, sweet girl.

Rudi

February 2009 - Sept. 9, 2009

Note: I had every intention of putting up the tailgate review and tailgate plan for this week by Wednesday before a couple of things got in the way. I have a lot written, just haven't put the finishing touches on it. We had a great opening tailgate filled with 26 guests (at my best count).

This week, we'll have a strong group again in the neighborhood of 30. Thanks to everyone going above and beyond in Week 1, we're set for this week without anyone having to bring anything. Most won't get to read this until after the weekend wraps up, but please come by if you are around tomorrow. We'd love to have you.

You can check out my brief thoughts on the Auburn-Louisiana Tech game as well as a couple of observations concerning tomorrow's game with State at CollegeSportsMatchups.com - click on SEC Forecast - Week 2 and notice my archive on the right. Or, you can click here: http://collegesportsmatchups.com/commentary/5/

Here's to making the biggest improvements (on and off the field) from week one to week two.

War Eagle forever and RIP Rudi.

Chris

Really???

Ever since 2004, one of the main storylines in the dull days of summer is what song the Auburn entrance video will feature. That magical season, the "Rise" video (seen http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SOjFrY2Ua2E) included an instrumental score from the main Passion of the Christ. Very effective and really personified that group well.

In 2007, a better effort than the previous two seasons had a video that used Saliva's "Welcome to the Show"...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NheZ96dTrdI - or you can just hear the song http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdaMvVzqvRA .

Then, last year's first video was so horrid (this one set to the track "Are You Ready" by Three Days Grace - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_KRMO2CYJ8) that they redid the video after two games and went back to Ladies and Gentlemen for the LSU game. At least they corrected their mistakes, but really? The same song two years in a row?

With a new coaching staff - one that is always thinking ahead in what appeals to 17- and 18-year-old boys, I thought we'd turn the corner and maybe get a little rap in the video. I know my dad would be all about sticking with some "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor, but we're going to recruit any 50-51-year-old dudes who smoke and listen religiously to Sirius' 70s on 7. (Sorry, pops - you know we love you.)

Instead, the rumors have spread today that the song selected is Saliva's "Family Reunion"...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cxmgJcim4I0

While it stays with the Auburn Family aura tha tthe coaching staff is trying to instill and it is light year's better than "Are You Ready," I can't say that I'm not a little disappointed if this is in fact the choice. It's a good song, and I can see some good hitting video footage during the "And the crowd goes..." portions following the chorus. However, you can't tell me that you wouldn't be more crunk if the music was http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d7bQwj2fjIU .

Anyways, that's my rant for tonight. Let me know what you think about "Family Reunion" - yea or nay.

The Tailgate Plan to Win: The Jimmy Buffett and Louisiana Tech Edition

So, I think what I’m going to do is update you on all the goings on with me from my last post back in March with a little each week during the football season. Sound good?

First, I’m going to talk about the Jimmy Buffett concert since we’re heading into a three-day weekend and I’m all about some frozen concoctions to help us all hang on…and a whole lot of salt, salt, salt. Brad, Amber, dad and I went to see Buffett on April 16 in Atlanta. Now, I saw Buffett last year at JazzFest, but this performance blew that one away.

“Summerzcool”: The tour was aptly named “Summerzcool” after his newest single, and it was a pretty cool night up in the ATL. I saw old boss Meredith Jenkins, AU soccer coach Karen Hoppa and their spouses. Never knew they were Parrotheads until that night. Meredith was taken aback from the news that Josh had gotten married. Yes, that Josh Jackson. It’s too bad Josh and Katie couldn’t go with us, but they’ve had their own Buffett experiences, at least.

“We all live in a yellow submarine”: I kind of feel like, as an AU fanbase, we have all been living in a yellow submarine and keeping a sunny outlook on what could be a very tumultuous 2009. This road schedule isn’t going to be easy to maneuver, folks, and we still have a lot of depth issues. After getting excited beyond belief last year and claiming that we’d be “thinking of championships” with a 4-1 record in September, I’m toning it WAY down this year. As for the correlation to the concert – the Coral Reefer’s final encore with Jimmy was this song. I’ve got it on my XM receiver if you’d like to listen.

“Recession? What recession? I refuse to participate!”: In a tour sponsored by his beer and his liquor, Buffett put on one heck of a 150-minute performance. He ain’t hurting in this economy because, as he so eloquently put it, “I’ve been spending your money foolishly since the 1970s.”

Now, on to the important part – the first tailgate. Now, I hope you don’t freak out when I spill some of these details. We’re looking at between around 23 people this weekend and a similar crowd for Mississippi State. It is very possible we have more MSU fans at our tailgate next weekend than Auburn fans. But, that’s OK. We’re all about being good hosts, and I feel very confident in our abilities to make this happen.

For these first two weeks, we’re asking that everyone supply their own drinks (we can store in the refrigerator if needed between games). While we will have the basics (Dr. Pepper, Orange Fanta, Sprite, water, frozen concoctions), the best way we know to fill the coolers with enough for this contingent is everyone bringing their own beverages (adult or otherwise). Also, if you have lawn chairs, please bring those also. We have a few at the camper but not nearly enough for everyone.

The menu for this weekend is chicken. We’ll have a platter of wings from Buffalo Connection and all the grilled chicken thighs you could want. We will most likely throw some burgers on the grill also, but that may be a game time decision when the fire gets rolling.

With a group of people this large, we’re inching towards that noted goal of reaching the Coach Hal echelon. Will we sustain that number? Most likely not, but I’m digging the enthusiasm for the new staff and our fresh start. The camper is on a new lot with a bigger lawn, and the festivities will kick off around lunch on Saturday. I’ll be up and working around 6 a.m. so my phone will be on and I will be available to answer any and all questions. Just call 334-750-1735.

Assignments are as follows:

Brad Gregg (5): Fruit, at least two bags of chips (not tortilla)

Katy Braden (1): Dessert

Andrew Monroe (2): Cornhole set, BuffConn platter

Carl Monroe (7): Drinks, BuffConn platter with Andrew, Ice

Pete Keller (2): Chips & Salsa, Ice, Drinks

Andy Shores (1): BYOB, Ice

Tammy Holmes (3): Fruit, Ice

We’ll handle the rest.

See ya there. War Eagle.

What's been going on and a preliminary diagnosis

Sorry for the delay in getting back to this. Over the past couple of months, I've been working like a madman with a new project - CollegeSportsMatchups.com. I've been getting up at 5:30 and 6 a.m. everyday to post articles from nearly 60 newspapers spread throughout the country on a handful of teams in the SEC, Big 10, Big East, Big 12 and Pac-10. It's been an interesting project.

Not only this, but I have signed on with Gary Brown as an insider for the SEC and Big 12. Twice weekly, we'll have game reviews and game previews from all football and basketball contests involving SEC and Big 12 teams. Our goal and hope is to offer a similar package for all six BCS conferences. If you haven't checked out the site, please do. We're trying to up our traffic to increase advertising appeal.

That has also led me to signing a contract to provide any and all original content to CSM, so I'll not be able to discuss any Auburn athletics ideas on here. I'll try to keep you posted with what's going on with me, but this site will - for the most part - be a source for tailgating information as we try to improve on last year's situation (both on and off the tailgating field).

New to this year: more responsibility sharing, better menus, more Chris Rushing original cooking (don't get too scared, I'm getting pretty good with this) and last, but not least, CORNHOLE. We've got a bigger lot at the campground and a luxurious camper that joined us about the time the AU football team went into a tailspin last season. I blame Tony Franklin, not the camper, for this.

Next week, I'll offer the La. Tech Plan to Win: Tailgate Initiatives with an items list. This and the Mississippi State game a week later are already proving to be massive with lots of fun people. Please e-mail, call or text me to let me know if you will be at the La. Tech tailgate. We're looking forward to a great season of fun (at the campground, at least) so please join us as often as possible.

Til next week...

War Eagle!

Chris

P.S. I'm going to Chicago with dad on Friday and will return Sunday night. We're going to hit up the Untouchables Tour Saturday morning, the Natural Science and Field History Museum for their Pirates exhibit and tour Saturday afternoon, Harry Caray's steakhouse Saturday night and a Sunday afternoon matinee between the Cubs and Mets at Wrigley. Look for us on the tube next Sunday since we'll be five rows up behind the Cubs dugout.

Tar Heel Born, Tar Heel Bred...or something like that.

I'm going to write this in Carolina blue in honor of the coolest 2-year-old on the planet. Last weekend, I went up to the Monroes in Little Rock to hang out and watch some hoops. During the festivities, some UNC faithful joined us and James bedrudgingly taught us the North Carolina fight song. OK, so maybe he was singing it for Marisa and for Jeanie, but I learned it from him.

March has been a whirlwind of traveling and growth for me. It started with a trip to Atlanta for Nascone's bachelor party and will wrap up with a phone on my ear most likely at the office. Seriously, I'm not sure where all the days went. I'll try to offer a recap of each weekend and its adventures. Without further ado...

March 6-8: I went to Atlanta for the aforementioned bachelor party for Matt Nascone, a good friend of mine from Auburn who survived the rigors of the Journalism program. We met up and were under the direction of his best man and another good friend of mine, Carten Cordell, in the neighborhood of the Virginia Highlands. Things we learned: Everybody's Pizza is excellent, as is food from Taco Mac. Never, ever, ever stay at the Highland Inn. I'm definitely not in college any more, and recovery time from a night out is much, much longer than it was before.

March 12-15: Josh and Katie got married, woopity-doo. We went down to Seaside (a.k.a. Manassass) Beach for the festivities. I forgot how much fun go-karts and putt-putt can be, especially when you bring in great company. The condo was awesome, and we learned that if you throw a Nerf football in the air, it WILL get stuck in the frongs of a palm tree. Ways to get said football out of the tree do not include: throwing full water bottles at said football, throwing mostly full water bottles at said football or trying to throw a broom at said football. These things will also stick to the tree. Ways to get said items out of a palm tree: have Amber climb the tree. Those who know me best know that I'm not a beach person. A weekend at Manassass will change anyone's perspective. Did I mention Josh and Katie got married?

March 20-22: Ah, yes...Little Rock. The home away from home. I know we talk about this amongst ourselves, but it's amazing when I think about the generosity and hospitality that the Monroes display to our ragtag group of misfits (OK, so I just wanted to say "ragtag" and "misfits"). Jeanie is up there for a rotation at Baptist, so I got Robert to hitch a ride with me and we made the journey. Saturday was a day filled with basketball, laughs and Mr. Carl's homemade pizza (my favorite Monroe specialty). My little sister...I could hardly recognize her personality when I got in the living room and was greeted with smack talk over the MARCH MADNESS pick 'em the Monroes run. Yep, she's one of them now (which is not an insult but the highest of compliments). Its always a great time going to church with them, and I'm moved by the fellowship their church family displays. One of the coolest things I've ever experienced was seeing all the LR folks at Andrew and Taylor's wedding...in Auburn. I can only wish for something like that here in Tupelo.

Speaking of...I've started going to a church with a good friend from high school and his wife up here that has a lot to offer. The messages from the three sermons I've heard are gripping and there seems to be a healthy Auburn contingent amongst the members. I'm hoping that I can delve myself into this place because it certainly has felt welcoming. Now that little league has started back, I'll be in town more weekends - which will help me to learn more - and grow in the process.

This past weekend, the previous three finally caught up to me as I slowed down and rested. I tried to configure the home theater a little more, but everything I tried was unsuccessful. That's OK - it was nice to sit and rest a little. After all, practice starts back up this week and I'm in Montgomery this upcoming weekend. Bring on April.

As always, thanks for reading.

(Prayer requests: my boss, Roger, learned this morning that his mother-in-law was in a bad car wreck. She's doing better, but I pray that she gets a speedy recovery and that Roger and his family can help in that process. Also, more travels are on the docket this month and another wedding - Matt and Adrienne. Several friends are dealing with unspecified crises, and I'm wanting to get some wind for my sailbot - will explain later.)

Sorry if this post is a little choppy and hard to read. I've been a bit scatterbrained with my writing lately.

Coach of the Year

I do my very best to do as little bragging on myself as possible, and if I come across as arrogant to anyone in a given situation, it is not by design. However, I'm going to take a step out of my normal anxieties and do a little pumping up of Chris Rushing for a few sentences.

Thursday night, I was awarded a plate at the Tupelo Sports Council's Circle of Champions awards ceremony. Engraved on this plate is "2008 Coach of the Year - Chris Rushing - TYBA"...Very few honors in my life can rival how proud that silver plate makes me.

When I told people I had been nominated for an award like this, everyone's first question was, "Do you have to give a speech?" Luckily, I didn't have to say anything up on stage - just go up, shake hands and try not to get blinded by the light from the podium. That being said, there are several people who made this award possible that cannot go without mention. So, I'll take some time and space out here on the interweb and give them their props.

First, all of my players and their parents. I can honestly say that there hasn't been but a couple of players that I didn't see eye-to-eye with and only a couple of "unruly" parents. This would not have been possible without the parents trusting that I was just wanting to make their kids better players and be the best role model I could be in the process.

Second, I'd like to thank the Tupelo Youth Baseball Association, namely Suzanne McCormick, for giving me the opportunities to coach the past two summers and for another one this upcoming season. Its easy to just pick a few of the dads, but they've given me a social life in a town where I haven't had too many friends outside of work.

Third, my employers for their understanding when I need to leave work early to get to the ball fields and for their sponsorship monies. Its because of BancorpSouth that the Bomber attitude was enstilled early on with my players last season as we raced towards an undefeated campaign. Plus, the bank bought our trophies at the end of the year.

Fourth, my own awesome parents. Whether its spotting me a little cash to buy the team Gatorades or just listening to me when I try to get through a couple of tough spots (especially last year with the all-star selection crisis), they have been above and beyond in supportive and encouraging love and behavior.

Fifth, I go on and on about the teams that I coach, and several people get to hear me bragging on their individual and whole accomplishments. However, there's been one friend in particular who was on the phone with me prior to every game and after every game - hearing all the details (good and bad). I don't want to name them in an effort of singling them out, but I'd like to think they know who they are. And for all that listening, I want to say "Thank you very much."

Finally, to all those who have been brave enough to coach with me...those are the ones who have truly made this possible. Leonard, Mark, David, Lee and Jerry - talk about those who go above and beyond. While it's easy for me to get carried away, none of them hesitated at the thoughts of practices, tournament locations or team parties. They also helped to give a dad's perspective to everything we worked towards - something I'm incapable of at this time.

I know I have undoubtedly left out people, but it was accidental. I hope this doesn't seem too arrogant, but I'm pretty excited about this.

One last thing, I'd like to thank Katy for going to the banquet with me and helping me to look good.

Until next time, War Eagle.

These are 25 things I bet you didn't know about me...Well, you probably did.

These 25 things about you are like an epidemic that cannot be stopped. I wrote them on facebook but also wanted to add them to the blog. Enjoy, you crazy blog readers.

1. Two of the happiest times of my life were spent as a counselor for the youth group in Macon and as a little league baseball coach here in Tupelo.

2. I have a wide array of great friends. Some of them I'm closer to than others. Of those that are male, I'm definitely the best looking. (I have done research and have references available upon request.)

3. I consider Auburn to be my home. When I refer to Macon, I say that I'm "headed to mom and dad's." When I refer to my house, I say "Tupelo" or "the house." Only Auburn gets the title of "home."

4. I have people I consider friends at every Southeastern Conference institution, thanks in part to my days as a student assistant in the Auburn Media Relations Department and as an intern in the Sports Information Department at the University of Florida.

5. While I may not be the best at sustaining a relationship, I'm really good at wooing the ladies. I try not to do the same thing twice to win a girl's heart, but I have pulled some great ones in my time.

6. I hate using the word "never" for anything. However, one thing that I can say with absolute certainty is I will never purchase anything from Build-A-Bear Workshop (either in person or online) ever again. Never.

7. My two favorite bands are Chicago and Sister Hazel. My favorite song of all time is "Will You Still Love Me" by Chicago. I have been made fun of for this, but I don't care. It's a fantastic song.

8. I believe the TIVO/DVR is my generation's gift to mankind. Along those same lines, as my DVR has revolutionized the way I watch TV, the GPS has revolutionized the way I drive and approach road trips. If the DVR isn't our best contribution to society, the portable GPS definitely is.

9. I try to practice chivalry daily. I believe in opening doors for people and paying for the girl when you take her out. It's not that hard to be courteous and considerate. However, it never ceases to amaze me how shocked people act when you do these things.

10. I know much more than I ever thought was possible about mortgages thanks to my job with BancorpSouth. Even with all this knowledge, there is a ton left to learn which is extremely difficult with our government and investors changing the rules hourly. These are indeed crazy times.

11. I want nothing more than to be out of debt, but I will not sacrifice living my life to do so. I hope I never have to live to work - would much rather continue on this path of working to live.

12. After April 18, I will have been a groomsman six times. Hopefully, this says something about my friendships mentioned earlier.

13. Being a journalism major and spending my high school years writing for the Commercial Dispatch, I'm fascinated by almost all kinds of writing. While I don't necessarily care for science fiction and fantasy, I'm astounded by the writers' ability to develop all those characters and their background stories. I'm much more suited to writing biographies and non-fiction. I have tried writing fiction but continue to fail miserably.

14. I have taken one football season and traveled to every SEC campus for a game with one of my best friends. We both enriched our appreciations for Auburn University and the 2004 Tigers through this experience.

15. I'm a fantastic dancer. Just ask Colleen Geary of Gator Boosters.

16. Occasionally, I will break out my Kucek dialect. If this happens around you, just deal with it.

17. Back to coaching, my favorite moment came in our district tournament last year. Being the third base coach as Jesse hit his first ever home run and watching him pump his fist as he rounded the bases before stopping to give me a high five to end all high fives...yea, that was a great moment. Later on last summer, I got a text from Jesse that said I was his favorite coach of all time.

18. My experiences in coaching have made me want to be a dad for the first time in my life. I do not want this responsibility for a few more years, though.

19. I learned so much about myself during my year in Gainesville. I feel like I left that internship a better person than when I left Auburn.

20. My little sister amazes me more and more each day. To see the person she has become is a blessing that I hope I don't take for granted.

21. My parents...there are not enough words to describe how much they mean to me. I could not have become the person I am or reached my dreams without their help, assurance and guidance. I don't know if I could ever repay that debt. I do know that if I ever become a parent myself, I have a great example to live by in each of them.

22. I have lived in nine different places since the start of college. This moving around was conditioned by the constant moving we did as a family growing up. From my childhood, I still consider Albertville, Ala., as my favorite location.

23. My hero is David Housel. Hearing people talk bad about him still hurts me to this day, and its the reason that I gave up on pursuing my dream of becoming an athletic director.

24. I have attended Major League Baseball games in seven different stadiums (Atlanta Fulton-County Stadium, Turner Field, old Busch Stadium, Tropicana Field, Minute Maid Park and Wrigley Field). I hope to add two more to that total this summer (new Busch and Fenway Park).

25. I have worked as a member of the media relations staff for 28 different championship events/tournaments at the conference and NCAA levels. Despite all those experiences, I don't think anything can quite top going to the World Baseball Classic in 2006. This would not have been possible if it weren't for my best friend, Andrew.