My 10 Most Worthless Country Music Songs

Last night, while running I heard a new song release from fellow Boston Marathoner, Joe De Messina called "Biker Chick." I failed to make a real connection with the song or distinguish a discernible point. Before I enjoy any movie, book, or song, I make the assumption that the author had some intended theme or message that they wanted to communicate to their audience. The motivation for a song should be a virtue or experience that the author found so inspiring he wasn't able to keep it to himself. Frequently country music releases and celebrates music that challenges my assumption. I have failed to find an ideal or concept that elevates humanity or the culture in any of the songs below.
(In no particular order)

1.) Bubba Shot the Jukebox
2.) Honky Tonk Badonkadonk
3.) Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox When I Die
*Country music does "Weekend at Bernie's "
4.) John Deere Green
5.) Papa Loved Momma
*Song about an 18 wheeler, motel, and love triangle
6.) Red Neck Yacht Club
*Alcohol + Boating, what could go wrong?
7.) Ten Feet Tall and Bulletproof
*Travis Tritt exposes the feelings and social behaviors of the angry drunk.
8.) She Thinks my Tractors Sexy
9.) Have you Forgotten?
*Only song I know that used a phrase that rhymed with "Bin Laden."
10.)Seminole Wind
*I don't know what one is, but maybe the Seminole Wind is responsible for this.

If any of the songs above has influenced or changed your life, please share.

The Wellesley Women

For me, one of the most charming features of the Boston Marathon was running past the women of Wellesley College. Wellesley is an all girls school that boast famous alumni such as Diane Sawyer, Cokie Roberts, Hillary Rodham Clinton, & Madeleine Albright. For at least one day a year these very academic ladies take a break from their studies and lend their whole hearted support to the marathon runners.

The line of Wellesley students extends for roughly a quarter of a mile down the right hand side of the marathon route. During the marathon these ladies will spend hours screaming, yelling, and encouraging all runners who pass by. While I was running past Wellesley several runners stopped to receive kisses from the girls. I also noticed that most of the runners increased their pace as they approached the college. From my perspective it was a welcome pick-me-up at mile 12 and a neat memory that I'll tuck away from my Boston experience.

Back from Oklahoma

The Parks family returned from a whirlwind trip to Oklahoma Wednesday night. Josie and Jenna were both spoiled by their adoring grandparents for four days. This trip gave me the opportunity to get a look at the booming Indian Casino business that has invaded my home state. It would appear that every tribe is out to take the white man's money while filling him with fire water and All-You-Can-Eat- Buffets.

The most disappointing part of the trip was our journey home. Last fall I made the Columbia-Bartlesville run in just over 10 hours. This effort had given me hope that a sub-10 hour time was achievable. Our trip to Bartlesville was accomplished in 10:20. Not a great time but a solid effort given that two of my passengers are under 3 years of age.

As I mentioned, the trip home was a disaster. Arriving in Memphis the van was running solid and we were on pace to hit pretty close to the 10 hour mark. Then the team lost focus and things went downhill in a hurry. First Jenna had a dirty diaper 20 miles east of Memphis. This was followed half and hour later with Josie needing to potty. We made our third stop in Tennessee when Jenna began to cry for super.

The clock read 11:10 when I pulled into our driveway. Before unpacking anything I ordered everyone into the bonus room for a closed door team meeting. The meeting was positive and we got several things off our chests. We talked commitment, discipline, goals, and teamwork. We addressed some attitudes (mostly Jenna) that had infected our team and we talked about ways to improve for our trip back in the fall.

10 Worst College Football Uniforms

Here is a list of the worst uniforms in college football according to CNNSI.

22 Profitable Athletic Programs

A radio station here in Nashville interviewed the Vanderbilt Athletic Director this week. He claimed that only 22 D1 athletic programs made money during the 2005-06 year. While declining to identify the schools he did say that all 22 were major players in college football. I forget why he threw out that number but my mind immediately began to scan the college football map to identify the 22 money makers. Here's my best guess.......

1.) Notre Dame
2.) Texas
3.) Florida
4.) Georgia
5.) Tennessee
6.) South Carolina
7.) Auburn
8.) Alabama
9.) LSU
10.) Texas A&M
11.) Oklahoma
12.) Nebraska
13.) USC
14.) UCLA
15.) Florida State
16.) Michigan
17.) Ohio State
18.) Wisconsin
19.) Penn State
20.) Clemson*
21.) Arkansas*
22.) West Virginia*

*Last three in
Possible omissions: Oregon, Texas Tech, & Iowa