Just got home from Dragon*Con, and I feel like the weekend was very successful. We made some really good contacts, gave out a lot of information, and had good panel discussions. The show itself is amazing. It’s hard to conceive of the scope — four massive hotels, hundreds of conference rooms, dozens of ballrooms, and thousands of fans. Until you see it firsthand, you can’t appreciate the effort that goes into putting together such an event. I’m also impressed by the professionalism and dedication of the staff. From the moment I arrived, I was treated well, which for a first-time, lower-tier guest is always much appreciated.

The highlight for me was meeting Karen Allen Saturday morning. She was very gracious and offered to pose for a picture with me, which will be posted soon. On Sunday, I got to attend her question and answer session, and she was an absolute delight, sharing many stories about her experiences on different sets.

I’ll post more about the weekend soon. For now, I’m gonna get some rest before getting back to class tomorrow.

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This time of year is special to me.  Anyone who ever buckled a chinstrap knows what I mean.  Each year, as football season comes around, the memories of my days in the pads come back like an old friend.  Yes, my knees paid the price.  Yes, my left shoulder sometimes hurts so much I can hardly stand it.  Yes, my body has permanent damage from the game, but I wouldn’t trade the memories for anything.  I never felt so alive as I did on the field.  There’s no way to explain it to anyone who never played.  I don’t know if it’s the same for other sports, but football is special.  Nothing else in my life has given me as much as football did.  I learned how to push myself beyond what I thought were my limits, how to focus my energies into one direction, how to have self-discipline, how to function as a part of a whole.

Through the years, I have had a reoccurring dream about being in practice and then a game.  Each time I wake up from that dream, I remember how it felt to be young and strong, full of life and unlimited potential.  I wouldn’t go back and relive those days — I’m not so foolish as to have forgotten the difficulties of youth — but I do wish for just one more game, one more practice, one more opportunity to smell the field from a three-point stance and stare down the line of scrimmage waiting for the snap.  It’s a glorious game, and to all of us who ever buckled a chinstrap, it’s that time of year once again…

It’s football time in Tennessee!

Good grief, I’m tired.  These dual enrollment classes are kicking my butt.  Each day I have to expend an extraordinary amount of energy just keeping the kids focused and in their seats.  I’m not sure if it’s ADD, instant gratification, or just poor manners, but half of them act like they have no idea how to behave in public.  After having taught adult students for ten years, I’m not used to that.  I’m used to having to say it one time and it’s done.

They’re not bad kids, just rowdy.

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