As pumped up as I am thinking about this weekend’s game, I can’t help but remember what all went on this time last year and the whole weird/funny/inexplicable/stressful/wouldn’t-trade-it-for-anything relationship I have with Gamecock football.

As we approach Saturday, I can’t help but be reminded that in addition to my Dad’s birthday and my (now) nephew’s birthday, last Halloween is when my Grandmother passed away.

The time where she was hospitalized and her subsequent passing was such a strange time for me. I mean, aside from the idea of losing a relative, it was weird as to how my one escape felt, different.

That escape was, ladies and gents, Gamecock football.

See, during the time where my Grandmother’s well-being was priority #1, Dad floated me his tickets for the game against LSU (which, like this past weekend’s game, was the “State Fair” game) and the game against Tennessee (this weekend’s opponent).

John accompanied me to LSU and Melanie accompanied me to UT.

But … something was just so strange, and different about both of those experiences, again, setting aside the family situation in Greenville.

Well, it was the fact that while I was there with people that I loved … my Dad wasn’t there. I don’t think I realized it until well after the season just how weird it really was.

See, people wonder how I got on this crazy train of Gamecock athletics. It was because my Dad was a Gamecock fan. When I was younger, he’d drop me off at my Grandparents’ place and go to games every so often. Then, when I got old enough, and of the proper mindset, he started taking me to games.

Right around that time was a young, brash QB named Steve Taneyhill who I instantly gravitated to. I was hooked.

There were times where we had those “growing pains” of a typical parent-child relationship. But we seemingly always had the Gamecocks to come back to.

As crazy as it seems now with our tailgating setup with tables, tents, multiple coolers, grills, etc., it seems odd to think of a time where “tailgating” was, quite literally, “tailgating.” A small cooler with a couple of Cokes and some Duke Sandwiches in the back of the old “Blue Bomber” truck.

It was a simpler time, yes, but a happy one.

Even when I went off to college, my Dad, now with my Mom in tow, still came down for games. It was different, in that now I took in the games with my friends in the raucous pit of the student section, Dad was always in the stadium. Typically, I’d see them before or after a game … if it was a day game, maybe we’d meet up for dinner. Or sometimes, it was just a quick hello after the game by the Cockabooses.

But, the constant — my Dad was at the games.

Now, it’s all about the season tickets and the reserved parking in the Fairgrounds and all, but, again, the constant remains.

So to all of a sudden not have that one constant thing was … odd. It didn’t feel right. In some ways, it didn’t feel like I was 100% there either.

While I enjoyed both games … especially that win against UT … at the same time … I didn’t enjoy them.

I didn’t enjoy them because the one person I identify with Gamecock football — not a coach, or a player or an AD or even a radio announcer — wasn’t around. I had been to several away games on my own or with friends, but, a home game? Without my Dad? Weird with a capital “W.”

In the end, it’s like the wins and losses seem to fade away, but the experiences and the memories remain strong.

Even now, I have my own thing, and he has his own thing. But, for seven Saturdays in the Fall, we get together and enjoy a few hours over some food and some football.

That, maybe moreso than the game itself, is what keeps me coming back year after year after year. You know .. it’s a family thing.

A group of random thoughts … many of which are too inane for Twitter:

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At the risk of angering my friends who occupy the fringes of both ends of the political spectrum — I watch both MSNBC and Fox News.

(ducks)

In the last 10 minutes on both channels, I’ve seen the close up of Tom Delay shaking his tuckus on “Dancing With the Stars” several times. I’m scarred.

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I have trouble talking with anyone else named “Rick.” It’s so … awkward.

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Seriously … Lou Holtz and Brad Scott — where’s my check?

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So far, so good on football season. Big game Thursday night. Can’t wait!

New fairgrounds parking? I like it. New seat location? I like it. Yet, some Gamecock fans complain … I guess they just like to complain.

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Since I skipped my 10-year reunion to go sit through a tropical depression to watch USC play LSU, I have no idea what to expect at Melanie’s reunion this weekend.

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Rachel Maddow … um … I don’t get it. Her appeal is what, exactly?

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I haven’t run in several days. I’m going to wind up regretting that.

——–

Life is good.

Wow … I can’t believe that it’s been (almost literally) forever since my last post.

Here’s what you need to know:

- Melanie’s birthday was last week. It was a whirlwind between Charlotte and Cheraw. I took her to see “Harry Potter” on her actual birthday, then made her a special breakfast that weekend. Fun!

- I have a kidney stone. It has yet to come out. I’m on medication that is usually used on people that have overactive bladders to make them STOP. For me, however, it’s the, um, OPPOSITE. Oh, and it feels like Benadryl, except with more stank. Yay.

- Church softball. Big MEH all season. It should be over Monday. Thank goodness.

- 35 days to kickoff. Found out tonight that I will be attending the first game against NCSTATE. WOOT!.

- Married life continues to be WOOT! as well. Friday will be the official six-month anniversary.

- Saw a Michael Jackson tribute band and a Talking Heads tribute band during two consecutive weeks at Alive After Five. The Jacko tribute was especially good and well-attended. A great party scene.

- We’ve blazed through every season of “Lost” currently on DVD and are currently blazing through “Breaking Bad.” Thanks, Netflix!

More to come … I hope, anyway. If you’re of the Twitterin’ persuasion, do take note that I do update Twitter frequently with inane observations and remarks, since it’s very easy to do at work and on the bus on the CrackBerry. Yay, connectivity!

One thing that I lament about television today (other than the overall lack of quality) is the lack of classic opening themes!

Because without classic themes we wouldn’t get these gems. To quote my brother from another mother, “I love the Internet.”

If it had been the Gamecocks involved in the 25-inning game o’ doom, you can bet the farm that Ron Morris would have had a scathing column ready to go about how Ray Tanner is RUINING HIS PITCHER’S ARM …

In the Longest game in NCAA history, Wood pitched 13 innings, including 12 1-3 of no hit ball, before the Longhorns pulled out a 3-2 win in a 25-inning epic.

Wood threw 169 pitches, struck out 14 and gave up two hits. All of that after pitching two innings in a 3-1 win over Army the night before to earn his 15th save of the season.

I wouldn’t mind the stupid diatribes from Teh St4te if they were, you know, consistent.

It’s odd to think that I had to get married in order to participate in a wedding. I had several friends and family take the plunge well before I did, but, I was never a part of the wedding itself.

Well, it changes tomorrow as one of my best friends on the planet, John, walks that aisle, and I will be up there as a groomsman.

I must say that in some respects, I barely remember all of the preparation/pre-wedding stuff that happened with us back in January (combination of nerves, sickness, etc.)

I think it will be interesting to see the whole wedding thing from the inside without being THE top active participant (at least on the guys’ side).

Hopefully, it will be a fun time of internal reflection to remember the fun I had a few months ago and continue to have with Melanie.

It’s a special time, and hopefully that sentiment will be only strengthened after the next 48 or so hours.

Until then, I’m a busy boy! Rehearsal tonight, followed by the dinner, followed by one final night of freedom for John. Tomorrow morning, weather permitting, I have a softball doubleheader, followed by riding around to get where we’re going, getting ready, then it’s the wedding, followed by the cocktail hour, followed by dinner, followed by probably not a lot of sleep time.

Get all that?

One thing about being newlyweds right now, you try and find fun dates that you can do on the cheap. You know, like going to the dollar theater, going to a friend’s house for food/games, going to a Bruce Springsteen concert, …

Wait, what was that last one?

Yeah, that’s right. I used the name “Bruce Springsteen” and the concept of “dates on the cheap” in the same sentence. Here’s the story:

I was poking around on Craigslist a week or so ago, looking for deals on tickets to the Quail Hollow Championship, and I happened to notice that there were quite a few listings for the upcoming Springsteen show in Greensboro, his only stop in the Carolinas on this latest tour.

Curious, I checked on the de facto measuring stick for the secondary ticket market, StubHub.com. I was floored by what I found.

Four dollars, ninety-five cents. Each.

Now, they weren’t right beside the stage on the lower level, mind you, but they weren’t obstructed, so, the following exchange took place via e-mail:

Rick: “Are we doing something Saturday night?”
Melanie: “No.”
Rick: “Wanna see Springsteen? I found tickets for $5 each.”
Melanie: “For $5? Yeah.”

So, I snagged two. I was then so happy and proud that I went around to all of the like-minded folks in the office and told them of my good fortune.

The tickets arrived Thursday, and we were off Saturday night. We arrived at our seats and were pleasantly surprised by the view (pardon the quality of the pic … the BlackBerry has its limitations):

Before the show, we experienced a new event … someone selling tickets inside the arena. Since we were in the upper deck in the back, a man came through offering a lower-deck “upgrade” for $10 each.

Weird, huh? We opted to stay in our $5 upper-deck tickets (by the way, did I mention the face value was $65 each) and take in a show. And what a show it was:

Badlands
Radio Nowhere
Outlaw Pete
No Surrender
Working On A Dream
Seeds
Johnny 99
The Ghost of Tom Joad
Raise Your Hand

Stump the band:
Seventh Son
Hang On Sloopy

Growin’ Up
I’m On Fire
Waiting On A Sunny Day
The Promised Land
Human Touch
Kingdom Of Days
Lonesome Day
The Rising
Born To Run
Cadillac Ranch

Encore:

Hard Times (by Stephen Foster)
Thunder Road
10th Avenue Freeze-Out
Land Of Hope And Dreams
American Land
Glory Days

Oh my, lots and lots to love here …

- Starting off with “Badlands” was a nice new twist (every other show I’ve seen of Springsteen’s, it’s been a mid-show pick-me-up)

- “Outlaw Pete” was a pleasant treat live. Much more “rock”-ish versus the album version.

- Before I forget … two words: Jay Weinberg. As you may or may not know, Max Weinberg’s 18-year-old son is taking the reins behind the drums for parts of the shows. He apparently will be the full-time drummer during the European leg of the tour, as Max will be tied up with the start of the Conan O’Brien iteration of “The Tonight Show.” Jay didn’t miss a beat, and had his own flair, hitting the skins with a certain harder pnosh. Max did come on for the “Stump the Band” section through the end of the pre-encore set.

- The “Seeds”/”Johnny 99″/”Tom Joad” trio has been a staple of the tour, as the overarching themes of desperation, job loss, hard times ring true in these tough economic times. I admit, I was hoping for “Youngstown” over “Tom Joad” in the third song of the trio (some shows did have that), but it was a good wrap-up.

- The “Stump the Band” segment is a nice new touch. Bruce especially seemed to have more fun during “Hang on Sloopy,” not to mention, that one really led itself to good audience participation.

- After “Stump the Band” were a couple of “OMG!” moments with “Growin’ Up,” “I’m on Fire” and “Human Touch” … all rarities live.

- “Cadillac Ranch” after “Born to Run” was a great way to end the first part of the set, a definite “party time” song.

- “Hard Times” was the band’s take on a Stephen Foster song, again finding new relevance to a (really) old song.

- Hearing “Thunder Road” live … still gives me goose bumps. To follow that up with another “OMG!”-er in “Tenth Avenue Freeze Out” was amazing. You could almost sense Bruce “hulking up” for lack of a better term, as the familiar piano parts rang through the arena. It was my first time hearing it live, and to hear Clarence say “Kid, you better get the picture” live is a great moment.

- “Glory Days” was a great closer. Bruce and Stevie paraded a banner from the audience during the song. It said simply “Steensboro.”

I have to say … it might just supplant the famous Kenan Stadium show in Chapel Hill as my favorite Springsteen show. I’m waiting to see how I feel about it down the road before I make that official declaration, but, it was a good one. A great mix of classics, newer and newest, with a few wrinkles thrown in.

I can say this without a shadow of a doubt … it was worth the price of admission!

So here I am, on the cusp of 30 … it’s been a while since I had once of these “landmark” birthdays.

It is sad to say goodbye to the “roaring 20s,” because so many good things happened:

I made many lifelong connections with a great group of friends …

I finished up my academic career at USC …

I started my first job …

I made my first job change …

I bought a house …

I met a girl that defies explanation …

I married her …

I laughed some …

I cried some …

I finally figured out that God loves me …

I’ve finally gotten on the path of loving Him back …

I finally broke an appendage …

I’ve discovered the joy of the little in-between moments …

I hit the road …

I went out …

I stayed in …

I lost loved ones …

I gained quite a few more …

Given all the “living” I’ve done these last 3,650ish days, it’s hard to think about how the next 3,650ish days will stack up. I know it will be different, but I also know it will be better. After all, I need a new kind of adventure, and I think I have it, and moreso, I’m looking forward to see where it takes me.

Cheers … to the past and the future!

This is a very interesting, if not implicating, read from the editor of iLounge regarding Apple’s treatment of journalists who don’t walk the Apple line.

Today, the greater Charlotte area joined a lot of the Carolinas in being turned into a winter wonderland. Yes, we got SNOW!

The snow actually started to fall and stick last night, so the neighborhood was blanketed by the time we woke up this morning.

In addition to the snow, there were icy patches along the road just in the neighborhood, so, it was a pretty easy decision to work from home. But, before I started to work, there was other “work” to be done …

We bundled up and prepared to head out. Before we started to play in earnest, Melanie put Bella’s harness and leash on her, just to see if she would do anything outside.

She was pretty skittish about the whole thing, and she was wanting to get back inside. I did manage to capture the whole thing on video, so, sometime soon, maybe you’ll get a chance to check it out

Once we headed out, we saw some of the neighborhood kids, including our little friend Hunter. Basically, Hunter and his sister teamed up against me and Melanie. Later on, another sister joined in the insanity, and it degenerated into just getting snow and trying to plant it in someone’s face or in their hair.

We also walked through our neighborhood, and the neighborhood across the street, taking in all of the beautiful scenery.

As we made our way back, we once again ran into the snow battles. Melanie also made a couple of snow angels!

We parted ways with our company, then headed home. We had breakfast, then did one more thing before I officially signed on …

We headed to the back yard to make a snowman!

We quickly learned that the snow was not good for making a big snowman, so, we opted to make a little snowman on the outdoor table. Melanie told me to get one of my visors and my sunglasses, so it was technically a “Snow Rick.” Melanie quickly followed up with a “Snow Bella,” complete with pine needles for whiskers.

Melanie finished off by making a “Snow Melanie,” complete with a scarf, so we had a complete snow family!

We then settled in, and I worked from the confines of the couch, a nice warm cup of coffee by my side.

Overall, it was a perfect way to enjoy a snow day!

To check out pictures from our snowy morning, check out the album.