Today is the American Cancer Society's National SmokeOut. The idea is that everyone in the world quits smoking at the same time. Since that will never, ever happen, they say that if you want to participate you can just quit for a day. I've decided to do that. It has nothing to do with the fact that I smoked half a pack last night over multiple glasses of wine and this morning I am completely hungover. No, it has to do with my love for my body and the environment.
While I was at www.cancer.org I was looking around at some of their anti-smoking campaigns and how they have evolved over the years. This one was my favorite. Look, people, the lamer you make your anti-smoking campaigns, the cooler and more counter-culture smoking becomes. Why do you think Phillip Morris is so willing to waste tons of money on trying to keep children from smoking? Because a 1980's inspired duck who says that 'tobacco is whacko' encourages kids to smoke. If you want to get people to quit, the solution is simple ... pass more legislation! Duh. Don't even get me started on the degradation of capitalism that is forcing businesses to ban smoking in public places. We'll discuss that in a different blog. Moral of the story is DON'T SMOKE (on November 18th, 2004).
Speaking of November 18th, not sure how many of you are remembering, but it was exactly 5 years ago today that the Aggie Bonfire collapsed. I was a freshman in college and had been worked into a frenzy over the anticipation of Bonfire since before I'd ever set foot on campus. We'd spent the night playing 3-Man in my room so everyone was too drunk and asleep at 3am when the crew chiefs came through the dorm pounding on doors to get people to help them pick up fallen logs off of the bodies of those trapped underneath. The next morning we were a little bewildered as we turned on the channel that had a 24 hour image of Bonfire and saw it on the ground. Then when I went out to the Polo Fields and realized that every white sheet draped over the logs was to hide a dead body, the enormity of what happened hit me. It still gets to me today ... It's getting to me right now as I type this.
We felt so helpless sitting there staring at the cranes. People walked around handing out drinks, sandwiches, sweatshirts, and anything else anyone needed since some people had stayed out there for days at a time. We tried to go give blood but every blood bank had lines wrapped around the block of people willing to wait. I think we set the Brazos Valley on blood for the next decade. It certainly took some air out of the game. Bonfire represented our burning desire to beat the hell out of t.u. but that didn't seem so important. We weren't even sure if we were supposed to enjoy the game.
That night instead of a yell practice we had a candle light vigil. When it was time to go into the stadium everyone took their candles with them, so instead of the image of lighters being held up that we were accustomed to, this is what we saw. I can't say it was a fun time to be an Aggie, but I'm glad I was a part of it so I could understand. That was the turning point for on-campus culture, and I was lucky to have experienced the way it used to be before all of that went away. Those of you in classes higher than 2003 just can't imagine what it was like.
That game was the greatest game that has ever been played. Everyone in the crowd, Aggies and longhorns, was so emotionally invested. We got the much needed win, needed emotionally, by the 12th Man completely disorienting their freshman quarterback. We all felt like we'd helped. But the best part was halftime. Normally we all sit down when the opposing band plays (the only time through the game that we sit). But at this game, the Texas band came out onto the field, played Amazing Grace, lowered their school's flags and raise an A&M flag. I never thought I would see the day when 80,000 Aggies would stand and whoop while the t.u. band played. It was an awesome moment, many tears were shed, and I am so grateful I got to be a part of it.
I don't really talk about Bonfire very much, because it still upsets me. But I thought it would be okay to share some memories on the anniversary of the fall. If you want, you can post a comment with some of your memories. It's important to remember.
Nice blog Gilligan. I know that we used to play it religiously, and I feel like I may have had a part in inventing the game(maybe not), but I don’t remember how to play 3 man. Refresh.
eric rollins
I was at that game as well, and even though I didn’t go to A & M it was one of the memorable experiences I’ve encountered. Don’t comment much, at all actually, but just thought i’d say, nice blog….
ViD
I’m not sure I’m comfortable with my infant niece reading my website. It’s for ages 4 and above.
And I don’t remember a thing about 3-Man except that it involved dice and a 3-Man hat.
Josh
I think bonfire ’99 changed everyone who experienced it, especially living on campus at the time…
Oh and I played 3 Man in high school. I don’t remember how to play either but a helmet and dice were definitely involved.
Allison
Beautiful blog David. I wish I had something else to add, but I think you said it all…
That doesn’t sound quite right, Al. Hud and I were discussing rules like splitting the doubles and then saying ‘Wonder Twins UNITE’ and trying to roll doubles again. This game I found is called “Betty” but I think its closer to our version of 3-Man
I remember when it happened, but I don’t really remember my reaction, or even if I had what you would call a real one. I was at a time where if it wasn’t directly in my little high school world, it didn’t happen or it didn’t matter.
However, even though I’m the furthest from an Aggie as one can be, the 5th anniversary of the collapse and the dedication of the memorial really got to me. On my show we had two guests; one was our general manager and was the anchor of the morning show when the stack collapsed, the other was a former reporter of ours who was first on the scene and stayed live for about 17 hours straight.
It was then that the entire tragedy struck me. It was hard not to come to tears during the show when thinking about, one, the tragedy itself, and also the community that was so present after the collapse.
It was then that I realized what the so-called “Aggie Spirit” was. And I think I felt it as much as I could as an outsider. It’s just that strong.
I’ve gotten sappy now, so I’ll stop. Sorry about the long post.
#27
i cant even quit for a day… i want one just reading this….. damn this addiction….. so i have some more hot new music for you… yer going to love it…. i promis…
