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The main focus of the news casts tonight was the 3rd anniversary of the start of the Iraq war. I remember when it started. I had almost been out of school for a year and was working for a newspaper in Lakeland, FL. Everyone in the newsroom knew we were going to war it was just a matter of when. I remember my boss telling me to keep an eye on the news and be prepared to come in to the office when war broke out.

I remember sitting on the floor of my bedroom where I had my small TV and watching the bombs fall on Baghdad. I called my boss and asked him if I needed to come in. He said no but the next day would be busy and it was.

Now on this anniversary I am thinking about my brother who is leaving for his first tour of Iraq next week. He is a second lieutenant in the Marines and has told my mom that he will be on a secure base outside of Baghdad but that still doesn't keep me from worrying. After he leaves I am probably going to be glued to the news.

It is sort of a strange feeling.

I spotted this on a message board today. It is pretty funny and yes they do rip on my beloved Albert. Here are a few of my favorites.

18. University of Nebraska's Lil' Red (Big 12)

I envision Lil' Red as Big Boy's jealous, bitter younger brother, who tried to open his own chain of restaurants but failed, and is now reduced to shooting Slim Jims and children's coloring menus out of a t-shirt cannon to fans during Nebraska games.

Florida had an inflatable alligator called Ollie that was really freaky looking. I still don't know if it was a person or a robot under that inflatable outfit. It was really odd because he would sort of jerk around the field. He walked like a robot but that could also be because he had no appendages. I don't know if he is still around.

    
12. Saint Louis University's Billiken (Atlantic 10)

According to Wikipedia, a billiken is:

a charm doll created by an American art teacher and illustrator, Ms. Florence Pretz of Kansas City, Missouri, who is said to have seen the mysterious figure in a dream. In 1908 she patented the Billiken, who was elf-like with pointed ears, a mischievous smile, and a tuft a hair on his pointed head.

Thus, Saint Louis University took it upon themselves to pick a mascot that is based on some hippy art teacher's acid trip. It looks like Bat Boy.

    
4. Xavier Univerity's Blue Blob (Atlantic 10)

The Blue Blob looks like what an alcoholic single dad would craft for his son for a Halloween or school pageant costume. "Look son, it's the Cookie Monster!" No, it's not. It's the personification of a failed father.

Plenty more here http://www.drivl.com/posts/view/738

I tried Googling for the Hoosier mascot but all I found was the rock that is at the football stadium. I read that the athletic director tried to come up with a mascot but I didn't find any mention of what they came up with. Unfortunately I didn't get to any football or basketball games this year so I wasn't able to see for myself.

I loved this show when it was on Fox. It was my favorite thing to watch on Sunday nights.

MSN is slowly posting the episodes of this great show. We watched a few of them in the cabin last week.

Here is the link if you are interested in a great time waster. http://arresteddevelopment.msn.com/