YAY HEELS!

Elite 8 - enough said. Thank you Henson for playing! Good luck on Sunday!

Experiencing DATA

I started riding the bus about a week and a half ago - partly as an experiment, partly because it just makes sense as there is a bus stop in my back yard and gas costs a fortune these days.

I can get from my house to the doorway of my work building by a fairly direct route - although I must say connections can be quite tricky and annoying. I've not yet been completely stranded (thanks to great friends) but I'm still perfecting my schedule.

What has been the most pleasant surprise is the folks I've met on the bus. I biked to downtown Durham this evening and decided it would be safest to take the bus home from the Durham Station with my loaner bike in tow. A fellow passenger asked me if the bike was mine and that kicked off a conversation that I thought was pretty cool: He, like my dad, is in his late 60s yet still walks, runs and bikes a great deal. He's training for an upcoming race and told me he even qualified for the Olympic trials when he was in college. The kicker: he's great friends with James Worthy! This Tar Heel swooned at that revelation.

I've also shared a two-seater seat with a mom and her son; successfully advised several fellow passengers of their best travel options and managed to pare my normal 3-bag-a-day commute down to 1 backpack.

I'm feeling pretty savvy. It's the little things you know?

In loving memory

...of Eve Carson.

While surely a delayed response, I only just noticed this lovely Carolina blue butterfly "chair" nearby the Eve Carson Memorial Garden on Saturday, September 10th, 2011.

I didn't know Eve (unfortunately) but I was deeply affected by her death. I annually participate in the Eve Carson 5K and I eagerly follow the progression of bringing her killers to justice.

If ever there was a true Tar Heel - in spirit and as an example in a life led - it would be Eve. All that I read about her makes me mourn for a bright light lost. I will continue to remember and honor her as a fellow Tar Heel for years to come.

Below, my niece Abby perched on Eve's chair, followed by a poor attempt to photograph the dedication plaque. I was using a phone...

Tar Heel Bears

Football season is upon us! Hurray!

I have Tar Heel bears for sale. If interested in purchase please email me at tglazener@nc.rr.com.
Bears are $9 each; $8 each without UNC patch; $6 each without pom poms or patch. Shipping included unless you order 3+ bears - then perhaps a $1 extra :)
GO HEELS!

Blue Mystique

I picked up one of these orchids last night as a thank you gift for my brother's family for agreeing to keep Zoe in the fall. It's a "Blue Mystique" orchid from Silver Vase (sold by Kroger).

Being a Tar Heel fan, I had to get one for myself, too!

Heels hold on to Victory Bell

Despite some terrible refereeing, the Heels came out on top Saturday night defeating Dook 24-19. The Heels haven't lost to Dook in Durham since 1988, and they've won 20 of the last 21 games against the dookies. GO HEELS!

Maria, Abby and I took some self-portraits to celebrate our lead in the second half.



We gave in to Abby's request for a "goofy shot."

Last home game of 2010

I can't believe how fast this football season went by. Yesterday's game was not a good ending, but I did have a lot of fun tailgating with Todd, Maria and Abby for every home occasion. We'll be going to the drab Duke stadium next weekend to support the Heels at a semi-away game. Looking forward to 2011 football. Go HEELS!

Tar Heel toes

I loved Abby's Tar Heel pedicure, courtesy of Simply Sassy Kids Spa. I think she showed it to me last week, but I didn't think to take a photo. Of course the pedi is now a little worse for wear, but what do you expect from a nine-year-old?!

She's a true blue Tar Heel from head to toe.

Heels over Pirates

It was a great victory for the Heels yesterday - a perfect end to a perfect tailgating day.

We wound up being parked right next to one of Maria's friends, and her son and Abby entertained each other all afternoon. Lucas was quite the cornhole fan. He was actually really good at it, and VERY enthusiastic when he did well. High fives were in abundance.




Abby took this picture of her parents all by herself.




Abby hogged the binoculars for most of the game, except for when she shared with the five-year-old boy next to me (Theo). It took a while, but Theo eventually warmed up to us and kept me in stitches. Wish I had a pic because he was adorable!

The Tar Heels got stung Saturday

The game was a bit more of a blur than normal thanks to the Firefly Screw Flys (Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka & orange juice) I drank before kickoff. I do know we were slightly favored to beat Georgia Tech and didn't, but we still had a great time tailgating (early!) and cheering on the Tar Heels.

I have issues with the name of this game - Cornhole. Beavis and Butthead was popular when I was in high school - perhaps that explains my discomfort in part.

But once I got the hang of it I managed to avoid getting completely wiped by my more talented brother. I'd like to think the expression on his face below is due to my making a "hole-in-one."



Followed by my celebratory gleeful jump in the air.




Here's a pic of the cornhole board Todd got last year as a Christmas gift. Nice, huh? I must say though that on many occasions the corn bags landing on the board were quite loud - almost like shotgun blasts!


On the way in to the game I bought two feather boas from some girls on the sidewalk. I managed to get one around Todd's neck and snap a photo. The woman behind me grabbed me by the shoulders and said, "Look out girl! Payback's a bitch!" I told her we're siblings and have been carrying on the payback for 30 years.




People keep telling me to sell my little Tar Heel bears at home games, but I just don't know if I have the patience and time to do it. Sure, if I can sell them from our parking spot while tailgating, but I don't have any plans to hang out on the sidewalk like the boa girls did. I'm just not that entrepreneurial.

Just in time for football season

At one of the football games last year, my sister-in-law spotted a table where the Rams Club was giving out these tiny patches and between the two of us we managed to snag about 10. I worked on the bears throughout the summer. My mom even helped sew the patches on some of the tiny bears - that part was NOT fun.



I included the photo below because it shows more of the tar heel detail on the ribbon. Thanks for the ribbon Maria!



I still haven't decided if both a patch and pom poms is overkill, so I left several bears without the latter. What do you think?

UNC Tar Heel logo Bandz

Purchasing a package of these is on my to do list for today - per my sister-in-law's request. I loathe going to Johnny T-shirt on Franklin Street, only because parking is impossible. Perhaps today's trip will be more pleasant since school is out for the summer.

I was first introduced to these "silly bandz" by my niece, Abby, the weekend my family came to see me after Bailey died. Abby gave me a dollar sign shaped band and told me to wear it for Bailey and I did.

When my friend at work saw me wearing it she said, "oh my gosh, are you wearing a silly band?!" I had no idea what she was talking about (Abby didn't tell me what they were called, and if she did I don't remember it).

Abby subsequently gave me several more, which I wear faithfully in her honor, along with my ever-present LIVESTRONG bracelet. I'm sure I'll be sporting some of these Tar Heel Bandz soon, too.

I don't often notice them on other people, but I've heard about some really cool ones out there. Jen saw some in the shape of musical instruments and almost caved into a purchase. Seen any supercool bandz lately?

Bailey week, day 5

Always an avid UNC fan, I photographed Bailey wearing one of my UNC caps. I love my friend Jen's description of this photo and others like it. She says he looks like an old grandpa thinking, "Time to go to the game kids. C'mon. Grandpa gets tired early."

Photo was taken in 2005.

Remember these? Want one?

I'd like to find some UNC buttons or some other suitable embellishments to add to these bears. The buttons would have to be pretty tiny - preferably no bigger than 1" wide by 3/4" tall, but I could probably forgive a centimeter here or there.

A quick search of the internet (including Johnny T-shirt) gave me no cost-effective ideas. While I'm sure it will be viewed as a paltry reward, I will make and send one to anyone who provides me with a cute solution to my embellishment dilemma. Please advise!

UNC Bear - Accessorized

I preface this post by admitting that my life is boring - but you know what? I LOVE my boring life!

I give you UNC bear with pom poms. I find her rather cute. Thoughts?

Eve Carson Memorial 5K

I participated in the 2nd annual Eve Carson Memorial 5K on Saturday morning in Chapel Hill. While not a race in the true sense for me (I walked), I was more than happy to participate in an event towards such a great cause. Last year Jen came with me, but this year I was alone with my ipod.

Truth be told, I almost bolted after collecting my t-shirt and gift bag only because a separate event taking place on campus made the parking outlook quite grim. (Not that parking on campus at UNC is ever an easy task). But I would've felt guilty had I bailed, and my astonishingly early arrival on-site gave me ample time to scout out alternative parking.

I have no idea how many people turned out for the race - there aren't currently any results online - but it looked like a good crowd. There were several dogs there, which made me sad I hadn't known they were allowed because I would've brought Casey, my brother's dog who is currently bunking at my house. Neither Bailey or Zoe are good at "endurance" walks/runs; but with Todd and Maria running a gazillion miles a week, Casey has adapted to lengthy jaunts. I would've loved to have had him along!

The weather was perfect - I was happy the earlier predicted rain did not come to fruition - and Eve's spirit was definitely present in full-force. I don't remember there ever being that many college students that bright-eyed and bushy-tailed that early on a Saturday morning when I was in school at UNC!

I will do my best to race (walk) for Eve again next year.

Huge win Saturday

It was a fabulous football Saturday with the Heels beating Miami 33-24, but still a bit sad seeing as it was the last home game of the season. It all went by so fast.

We did far more tailgating this season than we have in the past due to later game times, and I think Abby really enjoyed the whole spectacle of it. The weather cooperated for the most part, with the last two games taking place under gorgeous Carolina Blue skies.

For the last two games Abby and I got to visit with the Burleigh's on the other side of the stadium, too. Abby loves seeing Felton and I think the trip (which is NOT short) provides a distracting activity. We usually come up with some silly game to pass the time on the way over - like how best to maneuver the path - duck and shimmy or dash and weave.

We needed that win Saturday. It provided some redemption for the Heels and the fans. It really was fabulous.

Until next season - with some basketball in-between!

Go HEELS! Boo DOOK!

I'm not one for bragging about Tar Heel football this season, but Saturday's game was a sweet victory over DOOK, 19-6.

The 3:30 pm kick-off gave us plenty of time for tailgating. Todd made veggie burgers, Maria made veggie chili and I brought potato salad and BEER. The weather was gorgeous - perfect game day skies.

I know very little about football - the bare minimum - but I do know how to throw one. Abby still struggles a bit. Below you can see my attempt to steer her in the right direction.


Self-portrait of Maria and I (you can totally see my outstretched arm in the reflection of my sunglasses):


Around half-time we met up with Kerry and Felton. I really wish I could've gotten a photo of Abby and Felton chasing each other around the stairwell. I think they both had a blast. Got a photo of Mommy (Maria) and Abby instead:



Todd and Maria watching the game, listening to Woody, enjoying the defeat of DOOK:


I am positive that the 3-3:30 kick-off time is my favorite. I can sleep in, we get to tailgate and I make it home before 8 pm. PERFECT - especially when we spank DOOK.

Tyler saves the day and a dog

I just saw this cute ad on TV. Check it out!



You can also see it on YouTube, where it is slightly less cropped here.

UNC Football Kicks Off

UNC Football kicked off on Saturday by kicking the Citadel forcefully to the curb. Final score: UNC 40; The Citadel: 6.

It was hot and our new seats are a bit more cramped – especially for my rather tall brother – but we still had a good time. I was pretty surprised that the stands were so packed since it was labor day weekend, but it was a nice surprise.

At half-time the #1 Basketball team – the 2009 National Champion Tar Heels – were introduced on the field and presented with their Championship rings. Before the presentation the band performed a special number that ended with their formation spelling “National Champs.” I could not see it at all when viewing the field, but the image on the big screen at the end of the field showed the words clearly (I'm guessing because the image was smaller). I wish I could’ve gotten a photo!

Then the big screen played a montage of Championship highlights to the song “One Shining Moment,” by David Barrett.

Following the montage, each member of the team staff and each player were introduced. Flash bulbs fired continuously during the introductions and the crowd roared. By the time the announcer came to coach Roy Williams I found myself inexplicably and dangerously near tears.

What a sap I am, but what can I say? I will definitely miss watching Tyler, Wayne, Danny and Ty wipe the floor with the competition. I know Roy will miss them, too.

Back to football: the boys looked pretty good. Looking forward to the rest of the season. Thanks Todd!