Magazine Review: Life-Peanuts

When I saw this on the magazine rack at Wal-Mart, I had to have it.  There was no question because I am a huge fan of Peanuts.  Even the cashier thought it was cool.  I have a large number of the old Fawcett Crest books.  You used to be able to find these in every used bookstore.  They’re long gone now.  I have some memorabilia in various forms.  I’ve got a small Snoopy doll and some die cast character cars and probably some other stuff I’m forgetting. 

 

My review of the magazine is as follows: this thing sucks.  I could get used to these quick reviews.  Publishers are making it too easy for me.  I guess I’ll expound.  We’ll start with the most obvious fault: the price.  This 96-page magazine was $15.  That’s not so much a factor of inflation as it’s just a “Sucker Special.”  Even before I bought it, I was pretty sure I wasn’t going to get $15 worth of enjoyment or enlightenment from it.  I really like magazines (on subjects I’m interested in), but if $15 and more is the new price point, I may not be adding much to this category in the future.  (And good luck getting me or anybody else to pay for digital-only copies at the same price.)

 

I can somewhat praise the magazine for its accuracy in reporting the strip itself.  I recognized so many of the offhand comments about storylines and jokes.  There were also some that I didn’t.  I sort of doubted them, but given the absurd sort of storylines and gags I remembered, I’m sure they were true.  (I’ve found out that those Fawcett Crest books actually truncated quite a bit, so no doubt I missed out on some strips.)  This was also a huge fault of the magazine.  Whether familiar with the material or not, just mentioning all of these incidents and only showing a handful of them was nearly criminal.  It was a tease to the faithful and likely just bewildering to the uninitiated. 

 

If you think my analysis is overbearing and high-handed (you haven’t even read the rest of this yet), I’ve got nothing on the pronouns-in-the-bio crowd who wrote this magazine.  If you always felt you needed a modern woke interpretation of Peanuts, this is a nice primer, and though it’s so short, you’ll be left begging for more.  Or begging for it to end, like I was.  Just to nitpick a bit, I’d like to think my vocabulary is decent, but there were a half dozen words used in the text that sent me to the dictionary.  Or would have if I gave a crap about looking up really obscure words.  (Robert Heinlein’s Number of the Beast did that to me years ago on the first page of the book.  It wasn’t worth the effort.  I didn’t even finish the book it was so bad.)    

 

This isn’t the first psychological/religious/social analysis of the strip (and won’t be the last, since a new one is mentioned in the text).  I actually own two of them. What’s It All About, Charlie Brown?  Looks just like a regular Fawcett Crest book at first glance, but does have a disclaimer on the cover that reads, “This is a different kind of Peanuts book.”  The Gospel According to Peanuts is cited in the magazine.  These were both produced in the 60’s.  Both used numerous full strips to illustrate points.  This magazine uses only panels that mostly barely relate to the text. 

 

The worst fallacy of the commentary was the repeated assertion that Peppermint Patty and Marcie are a lesbian couple.  Outside of a running gag on the old Jim Rome radio show (which was funny), this claim doesn’t even deserve a serious rebuttal.  The girls only flirted with Charlie Brown, who, in typical fashion didn’t get what was going on.  Charles Schulz was quoted as saying that the girls’ friendship would probably only break up over him.  He also dismissed any such alt overtones.  There is a perpetual need for validation within the “community” that can’t believe that two people of the same sex could possibly be friends without any desire to be physically intimate.  (How’s that for psychoanalysis?)     

 

Another faulty assumption of the magazine was that the strip fell off in quality in the 70’s because Schulz was softening the strip to be more licensing friendly.  This is incorrect.  The strips were funny, vibrant, and inventive through the 80’s.  In the 90’s, it did drop off.  The lines started getting shaky.  The stories and gags started becoming flat, unimaginative, and even indulgent.  None of this had anything to do merchandising.  Schulz had gotten older and run out of some creative juice.  It was only near the end when he rediscovered Lucy and Linus’ little brother, Rerun, that the strip was revitalized, kind of like when Peppermint Patty was introduced to the cast in the 70’s.  Exposure to his grandkids probably rejuvenated his sharp sense of humor. 

 

I keep hearing “aficionados” of Peanuts speak of their love of the 50’s and 60’s crueler vein of humor in the strip.  Peanuts has always thrived on the misfortunes, thwarted desires, and unkindness of its characters.  I think the characters “outgrew” being senselessly mean to others, as perhaps Schulz got his own sense of alienation out of his system creatively.  It was too one-note to last like that.  The characters had to be able to show some other feelings and emotions in unexpected ways to become three-dimensional.  Longer and more complicated stories could then be written with such characters.  This wasn’t a fault or compromise, it was necessary and beneficial.

 

I question this “love” of the “true fans” altogether.  There was a Peanuts special a few years ago, Happiness is a Warm Blanket, Charlie Brown.  It was clearly based on the 60’s material.  It was edgy and ended with Linus lambasting all the other characters in an epic rant.  These same people, the critics, hated it.  They got what they wanted and didn’t like it.  I thought it was great, but I was apparently the only one.  This feature has been nearly completely memory-holed.    

 

As for the magazine contents, the magazine has a couple of essays (useless), a bio on Schultz, a couple of articles on the Christmas and Halloween specials, character studies on the main characters (Violet gets two pages, Rerun is never mentioned or shown), and an article on the merchandising.  There are plenty of comic panel illustrations and some photos of Schulz.

 

I did learn some things.  The original strip title of Lil’ Folks was changed by the syndicate because of a rights issue.  Lucy and her relationship to Schroder was somewhat based on Schultz’s ex-wife and his relationship with her.  He’d also cheated on her.  I probably didn’t need to know that gossip detail. 

This photo was historically significant as Charles Schulz gave Snoopy statues to the Apollo 10 crew and California governor, Ronald Reagan.

I actually saw one of these Snoopy dolls in person as a kid in the 70’s.  It was at a second-hand store here in town.  I wanted it, but my parents thought the owner was asking too much for it.  This might have been within ten years after it was made.  There’s no telling what it’s worth now. 

 

I’ve heard about these figures.  They’re big time collectables.  Schroder with the piano is, I think, the most valuable.  The figure above Linus is a strangely squeaky-clean Pigpen.

 

Speaking of Pigpen, Schulz said he kind of resented the character’s popularity.  He was just supposed to be a kind of a one-shot, but people kept demanding continued appearances.  There is something iconic about him.

This is a strip I hadn’t seen before.  I wish I knew the rest of the story.  I collected three volumes of the Complete Peanuts series by Fantagraphics.  If I’d had somewhere to put 25 volumes, I would have.

 

Okay, what to do with this thing?  Demand my money back in a huff?  Tempting.  I actually gave away that Captain America magazine because I disliked the text, but I still thought it had value for a fan of character.  (I gave it to a co-worker who was such a fan.)  I can’t even give this away to a fan, because it’s so terrible.  (And don’t let kids anywhere near this thing.)  It still may find a home somewhere else.  I’m a Peanuts fan and that’s why I don’t want to keep this.  Somebody stop me before I buy any more tribute or art magazines.  

NM State Aggies vs GCU Lopes Volleyball 10-14-21

Honestly, I’d been nervous about this match all week.  It was the raison d’etre of me taking this week off.  After the Aggies’ five-set loss to CBU and getting taken to five sets in a win over Chicago State, taking on the second-place GCU did not look like an easy win, even with a 14-game winning streak against them.  However, Coach Jordan was now back.  He promptly grabbed the clipboard from Assistant Coach Hertel and said, “Gimme that!  I’m never getting sick or testing positive again during a season!”  [Edit as per the Sun-News account: He hadn’t missed a match in 24 years.]

 

More seriously, I saw a prerecorded interview with the Coach and Adam Young last week.  Adam mentioned that the Volleyball team gets a lot of support from the fans.  Jordan got a little emotional talking about that.  He especially mentioned the boosters, mostly senior citizens, who take care of the girls.  Over the many years of his tenure, he’d seen these fans pass along, but new ones would take their place.          

 

This was the Pack the Pan-Am game.  AD Mario Moccia said on the Aggie Coach’s Show that they had sold nearly all of the ten thousand low-cost bulk tickets available to groups and organizations.  He also bragged that he sat with Cat Kelly and Shaney Lipscomb at the Men’s Basketball Scrimmage, the lucky bastard.  The girls were really excited for tonight’s game.

 

My boss’ boss at work had attempted to convince me to come in off vacation to go to an offsite dinner meeting with a speaker, instead of the game.  Sure, I’d love to hear a professional motivational speaker complain about his latest experience in an airport, while I’m eating the cooked dog food at the Convention Center.  Ron would be joining me for this game.  I told him about the meeting, just in case he’d rather go to that.  It never hurts to have options.

 

After a sharing a good laugh at the suggestion, we went for dinner at McAlisters, which was great.  I went too hungry into the meal and was still unfilled.  I again mentioned going to the Convention Center to maybe get a takeout doggie bag (or rather bowl).  Instead, we also stopped by PQ Treats for Frozen Tornados.  Okay, now I was full, but we arrived right into the large crowd outside the arena and too late to see the girls practice.  My ticket was $7.  It was $5 last time.  It was $7 before that.  I don’t understand the pricing.  (The bulk tickets were $2 each in batches of 20 or more or thereabouts.)

 

All of the Concessions areas were open inside.  There were also stands set up selling kettle corn, lemonade, and roasted nuts.  I just couldn’t resist.  I bought a small bag of cinnamon roasted almonds and ate some after I got home.  They were so buttery and sweet.  However, I all I could think of was, I wish I’d gotten some kettle corn, too.

 

As for the team, Cat and Darian Markham were both still heavily bandaged up.  I felt so bad for them.  Shaney was wearing long pants on court and during play.  It certainly didn’t hurt her performance, but I’ve never seen that before in a volleyball game.  I carefully looked over the team and Victoria Barrett wasn’t there.  I checked the program.  She’s not on the roster.  I checked the previous program and she was.  Sigh.  There goes the WAC Freshman of the Year from last season for unknown reasons.

 

[Newspaper edit: Victoria was dismissed for disciplinary reasons and the coach was pissed at her.  Actually putting something like this in a newspaper article is rather extraordinary, especially about a Women’s sport.  In any case, this is tragic.  Victoria certainly had talent.]   

 

A large crowd had filled in about three quarters of the lower bowl.  Aggravatingly, the student section was the empty quarter, though not completely, as we’ll discuss later.  When the two team face off again on Saturday in Phoenix (by a quirk of scheduling), GCU’s student section will likely be full.  The game was on the radio tonight with Adam.  Ron and I were both listening.  Tonight’s game was mostly straightforward, so we didn’t need too much extra explanation.  

 

Set 1

Lindsay Blakey was one of the starters, but cycled out quickly.  Play started with Shaney hitting the backline with a kill.  Cat painted the sideline to make 2-0.  3-1 Cat got another kill on a busted play.  3-2 GCU took the point.  Shaney had a diving dig on the play.  She was doing a great job on receiving in the backcourt.  Several Aggie swings went out and GCU took the lead, 4-6.  Klaire Mitchell on GCU floated an ace in to make it 4-8.  Adam had said they were the best serving team in the WAC.  4-9 GCU was also showing off on their digs.  Timeout Aggies.  The large crowd was a bit stunned. 

 

GCU didn’t seem especially big or tall.  The roster does actually show them being fairly tall.  They were blocking well.  I was a bit surprised that DS Lauryn Taylor came in on service receive for Shaney, given that she was doing pretty well.  5-10 GCU served out.  6-12 Shaney was back in and finally got another Aggie kill.  Keke Holloway came in to serve for her as usual for Coach Jordan.  8-13 Shaney with another kill.  9-13 the Aggies saved a GCU dump shot and Katie Birtcil got her first kill.  10-17 GCU put in another ace.  11-17 Katie got another kill, but unfortunately Darian served out right after. 

 

Cat had a kill at 12-18.  13-18 Katie served in an ace that the defender shanked.  That was a bit surprising.  Next, she served an ace into a GCU corner.  Then she put in another ace.  This was all really surprising.  You don’t really expect the large outside hitters to be great servers.  GCU finally sided out.  Lia Mosher was solo blocked on an overpass kill attempt, 15-20.  Timeout Aggies.  The Cheerleaders came out for a t-shirt toss.  The crowd totally got into that. 

 

15-23 a GCU swing hit the net and rolled over to the Aggie side for a kill.  Even luck was on the Lopes’ side to this point.  16-23 Mari Sharp came in and got her first kill going nearly parallel to the net on a busted play.  (I think the preferred term is “Out of system.”  I say “Busted play” when the team is completely scrambling to receive the ball and get it into any position to get it put back over the net.)  17-23 this was the best play of the match.  It was spectacular long rally.  Setter Carly Aigner-Swesey had a solo block during the exchange and finished it with a near accidental kill.  However, GCU took the set 18-25 on a kill.

 

Set 2: Lopes 1, Aggies 0

Ron was concerned, but not yet saying anything like, “We’re gonna lose this one.”  Frankly, the team looked pretty disorganized.  There was the little delivery robot dance off competition again.  It was still sort of lame, but they did deliver some souvenirs to the Cheerleaders, who threw them into the crowd.  Cat Kelly did not start this set.  She ended up being out for the rest of the match.  She was standing on the sidelines, so I don’t think it was for injury, at least not a bad one.  Cat seemed to be playing well.  I don’t know why she was left out.

 

GCU took a 0-2 lead off a block rejection.  They took an 0-3 lead on a point with two blocks and a great dig by their libero, Teagan DeFalco.  The Aggies came back.  2-3 Lindsay got her first kill with a big bearpaw-like slap kill.  3-4 Mari with a kill.  The shot went right at Teagan’s feet.  She’d already made great dig during the play.  I sort of question why the Aggies seemed to be aiming at her.  She was hardly a weak link in GCU’s defense. 

 

4-5 Katie buried a kill at the feet of the defender.  If you can believe it, people were still coming in.  5-6 Katie came flying in from the backcourt for a kill.  She doesn’t look like a big jumper like departed Savannah Davison, but she is.  6-7 Lia got her first kill on a touch.  7-8 Shaney pounded a kill at Teagan’s feet.  It seems like a definite strategy.

 

Pistol Pete walked by.  He said, “Hi,” to some of the kids.  (He didn’t say anything to me, but I’m not bitter or anything.)  7-11 the Aggies were getting their shots in, but were falling behind.  Timeout Aggies.  The T-shirt Gatling Cannon was rolled out on to court.  I’d warned Ron that they’d gotten the thing working at full blast and it did not disappoint.  They did not go to the full rapid fire mode, as they rotated it around in an effort to fire to both sides of the court and all around the stands.  Bravo!  Adam on the radio estimated the crowd between four and five thousand.  Double bravo!  [Newspaper edit: They said 1,400.  This is flat wrong, unless they didn’t count anyone coming in with a bulk ticket.  I’d otherwise say that they transposed the digits and meant 4,100.]

 

8-11 Shaney came back out of the break with a kill.  After a couple of GCU attack errors, Katie got a kill to tie it up at 11.  The Aggies finally took the lead on an ace by Shaney, 12-11.  Timeout GCU.  13-12 Lindsay and Mari on a block, the team’s first.  14-12 Lindsay with an ace.  16-13 Katie with her fourth ace.  I think the Coach had the girls practicing their serve when he got back.  However, GCU came back to tie it at 16.  18-18 Katie blasted a kill that bounced far out-of-bounds at the end of the court.  Mario nearly got hit by it, as he was trying to get around to the other side. 

 

19-19 GCU had a service error to retie the set.  21-19 Carly served up an ace.  22-20 Katie seemed to reach back in slow motion and brought the hammer down with a thunderous kill.  23-20 Timeout GCU.  23-21 GCU took the point, but the Aggies had two great saves on the point.  25-21 the Aggies took the set.  The crowd got up and got loud for set point.  Carly won it on a dump shot.

 

Set 3: Aggies 1, Lopes 1

The Cheerleaders made a conga line on the sidelines as the PA played Harry Belafonte’s Jump in the Line.  It’s a house favorite at the Pan-Am.  Lauryn with the Aggie reserves was working it.  She’s got moves.  Shaney got Set 3 going by pounding a nail.  2-1 Mari got a tip kill.  The GCU coach challenged the call as his player had attempted a pancake dig on it.  Ron and I looked at each other and rolled our eyes.  Here we go again.  The last match was ruined by constant challenges.  There wasn’t conclusive proof either way on the point so a replay was ordered.  At least, it was quick.  Mari got her kill anyway, she just hit it harder on the replay.

 

3-1 Mari got another kill after a long rally.  4-2 Lia and Katie combined on a block.  5-3 Katie took flight again on a backcourt kill.  GCU made a comeback.  5-6 the Aggies were called for four touches.  Shaney tied it at 6 on a touch on a swing down the line.  Keke came in and served an ace on the sideline.  It looked out and was reversed on a challenge. 

 

During the delay, I noticed a group of guys were in the nearly vacant student section sitting near the floor.  They looked pretty big and built.  I thought they might be on a team, but I decided they were probably frat boys.  They were near the GCU reserves and were heckling them constantly.  The girls were completely ignoring them while likely being very aware of them.  I give the guys credit; they were wearing the girls out for the whole match.

 

Shaney got a tip to tie the score at 7.  Katie tied it at 8 on a touched shot down the line.  The Aggies took the lead, 9-8, on a tip by Katie.  GCU did make some good saves on the point.  11-9 a double touch was called on GCU.  12-9 Katie and Lia combined on a block.  13-9 Lia slapped down an overpass for her second kill.  14-10 another Katie kill took a high bounce into the crowd. 

 

Katie came up to serve and there was sudden confusion by the refs.  There was a long delay as the video was checked.  Adam thought GCU had a rotation error.  Coach Jordan came over yelling at the ref and Adam immediately cut his own microphone to avoid broadcasting it.  The refs decided to replay the point.  No problem.  Katie served up her fifth ace.  15-10 media timeout.

 

Mari added to the lead with a kill, 16-12.  GCU had kept the point going with a save over the media row table.  17-11 Mari went crosscourt with a kill.  18-11 timeout GCU.  The frat guys took time out from heckling to dance for Flex Cam.  It was a good timeout for the Lopes, though.  18-14 the Aggies took a timeout as GCU reeled off three straight points.  18-16 GCU ace.  18-17 the Lopes had made up 6 of the Aggies’ 7-point lead.  Timeout.  The Cheerleaders looked a bit tired coming back out on to court so soon.

 

19-17 finally, GCU had an attack error.  19-18 Keke had a serve into the net.  20-18 Carly had a tip kill.  21-18 Katie with a kill on a touch.  Timeout GCU.  A group of middle school girls in purple team shirts near the sidelines started dancing.  Pistol Pete came by and signed a volleyball for them.  They must be a volleyball team.  22-18 Shaney and Lindsay combined on a block.  22-19 net serve by Carly.  Ron was getting frustrated with that.  23-19 Katie with her thirteenth kill.  24-20 another Katie kill deflected into the crowd.  On Set Point #2, Lia pounded one to close it out, 25-21.

 

Set 4: Aggies 2, Lopes 1

The Cheerleaders did a hat toss into the crowd.  They went nuts for them.  At the other end of the court, one of the frat boys seemed to flirting with a cute usher girl.  1-0 GCU shot one way out that went high into the crowd.  2-0 Mari made an amazing one-handed dig that led to a Shaney tip for the point.  3-0 Shaney with a kill.  4-1 a Katie kill off a touch.  5-1 Shaney served up an ace.  That was the eighth Aggie ace for the match.  It’s looking good here.

 

6-3 Mari got a crosscourt kill.  6-4 GCU was coming back.  Darian made a good save on the point when GCU went for an overpass kill.  7-4 Lia faked a swing, but got the kill on a tip.  8-5 Mari powered a kill past two defenders.  9-6 Lia took a full swing this time and pounded it.  10-6 Keke with an ace.  Timeout GCU.

 

11-6 Mari had another one-handed dig.  The Aggies took the point on a GCU out shot.  11-8 GCU got the point on an Aggie net violation.  Shaney and Katie collided on court during the play, but weren’t hurt.  12-8 Shaney put a tip on the line for a kill.  14-8 Katie with a kill on a touch.  She was up to 16 kills.  15-8 Katie and Lindsay with the “double stuff,” as Adam called the block.  15-11 the Aggies called a timeout after GCU started making a comeback.

 

16-11 Katie came back with another kill.  I feel like I should have made a macro to type that out for this post.  17-11 a Katie kill deflected into the frat boys.  17-12 Shaney put a serve out.  You could hear the Coach getting on to her over Adam’s mic as she came out, “You don’t have to hit it that hard.”  18-13 Lindsay with the big eraser right into the middle of the court.  She’s got skills.  I don’t know why Lindsay isn’t used more.  19-13 Katie got another kill.  Lia had a solo stuff on the point.  Timeout GCU.

 

20-14 GCU served out.  21-14 Katie put in another ace.  She smiled afterward.  I think she knew she was having a good night.  22-16 Lia put a kill into an empty spot on the floor.  23-18 after two Aggie saves that covered the whole area of their end of the court, Shaney finished it with a kill.  25-18 Shaney finished it on the first match point with a crosscourt kill and the big crowd standing and cheering the team on.  The Aggies take the match 3-1.  Everyone was happy, who wasn’t wearing a Lopes’ uniform.  Kaitlyn Espiritu on the reserves jumped into Lia’s arms and straddled her.  Kaitlyn is not a little libero.  That was quite a display of strength by Lia to hold her up.  

 

Our easy gameball award goes to Katie Birtcil.  She had 19 kills, 11 digs, and 6 aces.  Shaney Lipscomb had 13 kills, 11 blocks, and 2 aces.  Mari Sharp had 10 kills.  Annabelle Kubinski led the Lopes with 14 kills.  The Aggies were up 10 aces to 3 in serving against a team that is known for their serving. 

 

Is it terrible of me to say that I thought GCU played better in their loss to the Aggies, than CBU played in their win?  I’m sure the stats wouldn’t bear it out, but it didn’t feel like the Lancers played well as much as the Aggies didn’t play well.  GCU wasn’t a bad team, but just looked overpowered tonight.  Coach Jordan must have felt pretty confident going into this match.  In the postgame interview, Adam asked him about the first set.  Jordan said he didn’t want to take anything away from GCU’s play, but said he was experimenting with a different rotation in that set. 

                  

The Coach appreciated the fans support, though it’s obvious that that Pan-Am sell out for a Hawaii game several years ago completely spoiled him.  Any crowd since has just been a nice turnout by comparison.  He did say that he wished the crowd wouldn’t just cheer when the team is doing well, but would also pick up the team when they’re stumbling.  That’s fair.  However, the Cheerleaders are supposed to there to lead cheers.  I’ve seen Jordan on good terms with their coach.  Maybe he should be talking to her.        

 

Just to mention, Director of Player Development, Chelsea Rose, looked incredible tonight for the crowd.  Her platinum blonde hair was nicely curled at the bottom, and she was in shiny, tight, black leather pants.  After the match, while Ron and I were listening the postgame, she walked by in the aisle.  I was going to congratulate her on the win if I caught her eye, but there were strong antipathy vibes coming from her.  Oh, well.

 

Ron and I had a surprisingly easy exit though there was lots of traffic and we were parked in the main parking lot.  Ron still had some of his ice cream left, though in a liquid form now.  I got home in time to watch about half a show I was somewhat interested in.  I’m going to declare my vacation this week a success just based on this event.     

 

NM State Aggies Men’s Basketball Crimson and White Scrimmage 10-12-21

I don’t know if Men’s Basketball has done a Crimson & White Scrimmage in recent memory.  Volleyball has canceled theirs for the last two years.  I don’t know if football has done one lately.  In any case, it’s a nice little promo for the Basketball season and get together for the fans.  They team hasn’t played in the Pan-Am Center in front of a crowd for a full season.  I was glad to have something to do on my second week of vacation, which I needed after catching up for a week on the work that wasn’t done while I was gone two weeks ago. 

 

(On the other hand, a new network showed up over the weekend, Heroes and Icons.  In the evening, they show episodes from the five different Star Trek shows (that I recognize as canonical) back-to-back.  (I also consider the animated show from the 70’s canonical, even though it’s officially been de-canonized.  I wouldn’t mind seeing it again.)  It’s kind of interesting watching from the Original to Enterprise in one sitting.  It’s also stunning how many plots they reused.)

 

I was the only one that wanted to go to the scrimmage.  Dad said, “Yes,” remembered he’d have to wear a mask, and then said, “No.”  He then asked if I wanted to see the new James Bond movie.  I told him he’d have to wear a mask there, but he didn’t seem to believe me.  Ron said, “Yes,” and then decided against going because he didn’t think it was worth the effort.  We’re planning on going to Volleyball in a couple of days anyway.  Fine.  I’ll go alone.

 

There was a blast of high winds today in Las Cruces, but they died down at sundown before I left.  With the new underpass, it was a nice easy drive to the Pan-Am Center.  I was worried pulling in as there were several firetrucks in the parking lot.  It turned out that the firemen were training there.  It was a $5 general admission ticket.  The proceeds were going to giving game tickets to kids’ organizations, like the Boys & Girls Club.  This would be the only time you could pick your seat for a Men’s game without having to pay specifically for it. 

 

There was a line outside to get in.  That was a good sign for the crowd.  I could see the new scoreboard from outside.  Inside, there was a program, but no new schedule poster for the team.  Disappointing.  The merch tent was set up inside, but didn’t have that “Guns Up” t-shirt there.  I would have taken a look at it.  AD Mario Moccia was greeting people at the door when I walked back by.  I’m sorry I missed that.  I skipped the Concessions, because the mask mandate was in effect.  I stopped by a water fountain.  Even with the wind died down, there was enough dust in the air that I needed to wash out my mouth.

 

I took a seat near where I usually sit for Volleyball behind the bench, which would have an expensive ticket otherwise.  The sport court now had basketball markings laid out on it.  Last week on the Aggie Coaches Show, Mario said he had a long story to tell about what happened to the new court, but didn’t have the time to tell it.  In short, the new court is ruined and they’ll have to replace it in the offseason.  Mario regretted that they’d cut corners getting it.

 

The guys were out warming up on court.  I tried to identify the players from the roster.  The Cheerleaders were there in shorts and t-shirts (and ridiculously wearing masks).  Some of the coaches were similarly attired.  So, it was Casual Day.  Coach Jans looked pleased with crowd.  Mario came around through and greeted some fans.  I think Emerson was sitting by PA Ed.  I wasn’t sure because of the mask.  Stupid masks.  (Why hasn’t she graduated yet?)  The crowd might have been around 500, which wasn’t bad for a scrimmage.             

 

A beautiful girl with long, dark hair frantically ran around the sidelines before the introductions.  (Sorry, Emerson.  Here I am again looking at other women.)  For the introductions, she told the coaches where to stand on court.  Coach Jans got a warm reception for a guy who interviewed for rival UTEP’s head coaching job in the offseason.  Assistant Coach Dominique Taylor was introduced.  Hey, I met that guy at the Barbara Hubbard Room once.  He was nice guy.  Glad to see he got promoted. 

 

The new video board was put to use showing the new player intro video.  “You can’t handle the truth!” blared the rap music that played over the video.  It looked good.  As for the player intros, I thought new guy, Jorge Moreno, from Mexico looked huge.  Mike Peake looked like a baller.  Teddy Allen should have caught my eye more in the introductions.  The roster lists his high school as Boys Town.  I’ve sent them donations before.  Glad to see my contribution paid off.  Then the returning players were introduced.  Clayton Henry was on crutches.  That might not be a good sign for him playing.  Jabari Rice looked a little underfed.  He also nearly jumped the line in front of Clayton.  Local hero, Johnny McCants, was introduced last.  He shook hands with team trainers first before joining the team at center court.  Classy. 

 

 

Okay, here I’m not sure what to do.  I’d assumed, incorrectly, that someone would be operating the scoreboard and keeping score during the scrimmage.  If I’d been more aware I would maybe have kept score myself somehow.  This presents a dilemma.  I don’t have any scoring for this, just individual plays.  I guess I’ll just list whatever plays stood out.

 

Will McNair scored the first points for the Crimson squad and for the game.  Peake fired in a three for the Crimson.  Mario McKinney took in a turnover for a layup.  Peake put down a slam.  This is weird without a running score.  Jabari found Jorge under the White team basket.  Unfortunately, he missed a couple of times there.  Teddy scored his first points for the Crimson with a three.  Back down court, Johnny went back to Jorge under the basket.  He made a good head fake and scored.  Next trip, Johnny missed a three.  Jorge got the rebound on a Crimson miss.  Marsei Caston scored a couple of baskets before a timeout was called about 5 minutes in.

 

The assistant coaches were talking to the players.  Jans was looking on over both squads.  The Cheerleaders did a t-shirt toss.  Back to play, Jabari got a layup in the lane and drew a foul for the White.  Chi Chi made a three.  That’s the name announced and it’s not on the roster.  I didn’t get the number.  Did I hear it wrong?  I can hear the players on court and the coaches reasonably well.  It was reasonably quiet in the arena.  What were you expecting for a scrimmage?

 

Jabari was under the basket and got two bites of the apple with a rebound in the middle, but only managed to get fouled by Peake.  Teddy picked up another basket by driving the lane.  Back down court, a couple of players slipped on sweat at midcourt.  I hope that isn’t a feature of the new surface.  Teddy nailed a jumper and plucked a rebound off a missed three by Johnny.  Peake drained a three for the Crimson.  A foul was called on Marsei.  The refs were getting more active.  Jans also got more active.  He went over to Marsei and gave him an earful in the huddle.  He was probably playing too rough against teammates.       

 

During the timeout, the beautiful girl with the long hair and Pistol Pete wheeled out the t-hirt Gatling cannon.  I was unimpressed with this artillery the last time I saw it in action.  This time was different.  It fired down court easily into the top of the lower bowl and at a rapid fire.  I was actually stunned as a barrage of t-shirts and souvenir balls rained down.  A t-shirt fell down near me, going over a group of young men a couple of rows below me, who were standing and waving.  A couple of young women nearby reached over and grabbed it.  One of the guys started reaching for it too.  I didn’t move.  The girls figured out it was too big for either of them and offered it to the guys.  That was nice.

 

Back to play, Jorge put in another from under the basket.  Marsei got another lecture from Associate Head Coach Miller.  Teddy got a layup.  He then got a steal, but was blocked on another layup.  Jabari stuck a three for the White.  I have no idea if the score was close at this point.  McKinney showed off his skills with a fake out and a jumper and then a steal and a layup.  This display got a rise out of the guys in front of me.  Jorge picked up a foul.  Coach Miller talked to him while he was at the lane waiting for the free throws.  Jorge came back thumping in a jam.  Peake got another layup on a back door cutter.

 

During the next timeout, a couple of little kids posed for Flex Cam and got on camera.  I’d noticed them earlier when their dad brought in a couple of large popcorns for them.  I could smell them though they were a couple of rows below me.  I really wanted some popcorn after that.  The White went to a full court press out of the timeout.  They picked up the offense with a three from Marsei and a Jabari jam. 

 

Peake hit a three for the Crimson, who also went to a full court press out of a timeout.  White pressed back.  One of the guys below me was watching a playoff baseball game on his phone.  I had to suppress myself from asking him about the score.  Jabari put in a three for the Crimson.  McKinney answered with a three for the White.  He came up limping a little, but stayed in.  I finally noticed Adam Young was sitting across the court watching.  He wasn’t calling the scrimmage, but I suspect he was doing so in his mind. 

 

Teddy hit a three for the Crimson.  Teddy went one-on-one against Johnny and hit a fade away jumper over him.  Then he hit a three.  Then Teddy stole a pass out of Jabari’s hand and jammed it.  Afterward, he played up to the crowd.  I was going to be disappointed if somebody didn’t showboat for the crowd.  Assistant Coach Anwar and Dominique called him over to talk to them.  Perhaps they were telling him that he’s made them team?  Johnny went for a last second alley oop, but missed.  It’s good that he got that miss out of the way before the season started.

 

Alright, that was fun.  No, I’m not going to add up all of scoring to put down a final score.  I didn’t write down all of the scoring anyway.  I was reasonably impressed with some of the new guys, Mike Peake, Marsei Caston, Jorge Moreno, and especially Teddy Allen.  Hopefully, the players enjoyed having an audience.  This probably went off well enough that they’ll consider doing it again next season.  And, I’ll wait for the Volleyball match on Thursday to get in some more Aggie action.

 

[Newspaper Update: According to the Sun-News, the Red beat the Grey 51-41.  All of the promotional material referred to this game as Crimson versus White.  While the White jerseys were rather off-white, I suspect the newspaper editors simply didn’t want to capitalize the word, “White.”  They also claimed that no one officially kept player stats for the game.  I’m pretty sure that isn’t true.  Teddy Allen was listed as leading the way with at least 20 points.  In another article, the damaged Pan-Am Center floor saga continues with an insurance claim finally being filed to pay for a new floor.  Short of that, they’re trying to figure out which university department is going to pay for it.]