Dear Fans

    I think it is important to say I haven't written a blog since August - a testament to grad school and football season. 

Speaking of football, that is the whole reason for this post. It is also important to say that I am not a fan who can name players and their position or name plays or fouls, but I know about being a fan and I know about sportsmanship. It is for those reasons that  I believe I have something to say.

Dear Fans, 

     Yes, I said fans, because we are all fans or one team or another. I write this after Auburn's loss to Georgia. A tough loss, but one I was expecting. Of course we always hope our team will win, but we can't be blindly optimistic. 

     Before I address some big issues, let's talk about Auburn. 

In 2012, we went 0-8 in the SEC - the worst we had done in 60 years. 

In 2013, we went 7-1 in the SEC - and an SEC Championship. 

     Now, I think it's safe to say that 2013 was a miracle year. We were the underdogs who came out on top, and we were high on life. But, every good thing must come to an end and this year we just received our third loss. Let me repeat - THIRD LOSS- let's think... could it be worse? If you think the answer is no then you aren't a good Auburn fan, because a true Auburn fan doesn't cheer for championships, a true Auburn fan cheers for the team, the school, and the city. 

Let's not forget why we are Auburn fans in the first place. 

"And because Auburn men and women believe in these things, I believe in Auburn and love it." 

-George Petrie (1945)

      Now, let's talk about being a fan. Whether you cheer for the SEC or the Pack Ten or the Big Twelve or the NFL, we all have a team. And we all know that team is much more than a team, it's our family. Where else can you surround yourself with thousands of strangers and everyone be there for one purpose - to cheer on guys who have dedicated basically their lives to entertain us? Football is the heart and soul of, at the risk of sounding cliche', America. Many of us live for Saturday's, Sunday's and whatever other days NFL comes on. 

     Here's the deal

 - WE HAVE GOT TO QUIT SHAMING OTHER TEAMS- 

     If you cheer for a team, that's your team. Don't seek to put down other teams because your team has lost or won. I cannot tell you how many of my own friends sought me out to rub in Auburn's loss to A&M. I'm here to say friends, that is not what football is about. Not only is it unsportsmanlike, you never know what next week will hold for your own team. Heavy is the crown of the winner, and the mighty fall hard. 

     

     I beseech you, stop bringing down other teams. Let each team and fan handle the wins and losses within that 'family.' Let us not forget, we are all here for the same reason - to lift up our team. 

Sincerely, 

A concerned fan  

I believe in Auburn and love it

Stay Sassy, 

A. 

17 Facts About Dating In Today's World

Well, I turned 23. 

    If you had asked 13 year-old me where I would be in ten years I can guarantee you single and graduate school would not be her answer.  And yet, here I am at 23 and my biggest commitment is my dog. Don't get me wrong I don't hate my life, it's just not how I imagined it would be. 

    But on nights like this, while I sit on my porch with a martini in my hand and Banks at my feet I admit I have mixed emotions. 

    I never really mind be single until I'm with my friends and their significant others. I'm used to being the odd one out, I've even grown to enjoy being the single friend. I am especially thankful for the single life the more I try to enter the dating. 

    Growing up dating appeared to be this magical experience where boys and girls went out on all these neat adventures and would either a) stay friends b) be heart broken c) fall in love. Well I'm here to tell you that it is WAY more complicated than that. 

1. By definition a "date" rarely happens. Nowadays we "hangout."
2. Don't even think about analyzing the difference. 
3. Boys made up the term "just talking" because girls needed a label. 
4. There are too many labels to even begin to list them. 
5. If in case you do get to label it "dating" it does not mean you are only "dating" that one person. 
6. If you want a serious, monogamous relationship you must actually state this.
7. Never assume. 
8. Don't hop on the feelings train by yourself. 
9. "Expectation is the root of all heartache." - William Shakespeare 
10. NEVER, I mean NEVER, think you can change them. 
11. There is an art to texting to which no one will ever master. 
12. If you do text make sure it's non-committal. 
13. The "friend zone" is real. 
14. And it has 3 zones - Friend, Friendly and Friendlier. 
15. There is a fine line between pretending to be uninterested and actually being uninterested. 
16. You can't be a prude, but you also can't be a hussy - another fine line. 
17. Last, but not least, remember The Dating Game - where the rules are made up and the points don't matter. 

Stay Sassy - A.