Notre Dame to the Big....12???

I'll address that headline in a minute....and forgive me if you just spit up soda or coffee or whatever all over your monitor.

I got to thinking tonight about all the conference realignment going on these days and how my beloved Tigers of Missouri are affected in all this. I have to say that I am both confused, annoyed, exasperated, and curious about just what the heck is going on.

A few months ago, Missouri seemed like a logical choice for Big 10 membership, but after the events to this point, it seems less and less likely that an invite is forthcoming. All we've heard from Mizzou admins is "We are proud members of the Big 12 Conference...." yadda yadda yadda. If there was no approach from Big 10 admins, all Mizzou would have to say is there has been no approach, no application, no invite, or anything else along those lines. If Mizzou had not approached the Big 10, why can't they say so in those exact words? And why was Mizzou given an ultimatum to pledge a commitment to the Big 12 if they weren't going anywhere?

Missouri AD Mike Alden sent out a press release today how open and honest they have been throughout the process and that something big and exciting was on the horizon. So why all the secrecy? If anything I would say Mizzou admins have been less than honest when it comes to sharing information and keeping their fans calm. They preach "Stay Calm" but please, explain to us why we should?

While it's not over until it's over, I am beginning to think that Mizzou is leaning another direction. Maybe it's the lack of sleep, I don't know, but here's my thought: With Texas about to pull out of the conference as well, Mizzou, Kansas, K-State, Iowa State, and Baylor may seek to build a new conference, a new Big 12. Add a few up and comers, throw in Memphis from Conference USA and another big name or two and voila...instant rebirth.

And for the sake of argument....why not add Notre Dame? The worst that could happen is they could say no. But expansion has always been and always will be about money. So if all the teams saying sayanara to the Big 12 are paying buyout fees equal to a certain percentage of their television revenue shares; and the schools with the biggest shares are the ones who are leaving (see ya Texas, Oklahoma, Nebraska, etc...) then therein lies a huge chunk o' change. I'm not certain of the numbers, but there are 7 schools and counting contributing to a fund that just might be used to help persuade the Fighting Irish to consider the option and tell the Big 10 that No means No.

Hey, I never said it was a solid plan, just a possibility. And it wouldn't be the first time an administrator has had delusions of grandeur. Just don't rule it out until after the dust has settled.

Holding on Tight...

Do you ever have one of those days when you wake up in the morning feeling like P-Diddy....oh wait, wrong feeling....

The feeling I meant to portray before I distracted myself was one where you wonder just why you bother to do the things you do when most of the time it doesn't really seem to matter. This post isn't meant to be a pity-party post or anything like that, but for the sake of argument, just humor me.

I've been writing for many years. Usually just for my own entertainment and after awhile other people read them and start telling me how good the writing is and this and that and the other. It's not like I feel like I'm wasting time or anything, I enjoy writing. I like to be creative and come up with situations and scenarios that make people feel like they are right there in the middle of the action and for the most part, I feel like I have done that.

I don't expect to see my published works go flying off the bookshelves, but seriously, it would be nice if some of those same people who tell me how much they enjoy my work would actually go online and buy a copy.

Major publishing companies do not like to take chances on new authors, I understand that. The advent of the self-publishing companies and Print-on-Demand services have been a Godsend for people like me who want to get their work out there for the world to see. I've followed all of the marketing tips and advice and purchased what advertising I could actually afford; so the only thing that truly remains is word-of-mouth.

I have friends in the world. No, really, I do. Some of them I would trust with my life. But how many of them do you think have taken the time to post a little something on their websites or spaceypages and facetwits and such that someone they know has accomplished this? Not many. I have one friend in particular who will send out every single email forward she gets from anywhere in the world whether it's humorous, religious, a warning, don't buy this, don't buy that, or some sentimental sap that tells us all how much they care about us. But she wouldn't put out a little blurb to let her other friends know about what this one has done.

I need help. I can't do it alone. I never thought I could, but I did think that if I could just get the attention of the right people, then just maybe I might have the start of a new career.

How long does one wait before they realize they are wasting time? How much effort is put forth into something before someone sits up, takes notice and tells someone - hey, you should check this out!

I'm not at the point of giving up, but I am starting to wonder why I let myself listen to those who supposedly believed in me enough to encourage me. I would love to continue writing for years to come, but food still has to be put on the table.

Here's my theme song today...



If you've got a dream...hold on tight. It could be a bumpy road...