Barky Wants...

BILL SELF PHONE CALL

Off to more adventures...

truh-dish-uhn

TRADITION (truh-dish-uhn): a specific practice of long standing.


I was sent a link from a friend of mine that got me thinking.  The holidays are breathing down the necks of everyone  and Christmas is becoming more and more commercialized every year.  This NAIA school located in Indiana has a very unique tradition. 


It is called "Silent Night."  Before finals every year the student body and fans attend the basketball game before finals dressed in their pajamas (the Barker house calls the JJ's or Jammers).  The crowd stays silent until the 10th point is scored.  Check out this video of the mayhem that ensues after the 10th point is scored.

Silent Night basketball game from Taylor University @ Yahoo! Video

I raise my glass of eggnog to you Taylor University.  Celebrate your traditions and embrace the quirkiness that is the holidays.


Off to more adventures...

Hud-zilla

While finishing up Christmas shopping yesterday we found ourselves quite a mess and a photo opportunity.  Notice the angry Target employees legs behind him.

Enjoy

Happy Hud-idays

Off to more adventures...

Family Vacation 2011... Chernobyl!!!

Get your travel agent on the horn to schedule your 2011 family exotic excursion to a place they will never forget... CHERNOBYL!!!  Make your family photos unique for years to come!  Your holiday cards will be the talk of the neighborhood next year.

Happy Holidays from the Barker's.

That's right, after 25 years of radiating radiation you can now take a tour and get a history lesson on how not to run a nuclear reactor.

Ukraine to open Chernobyl in 2011

Off to more adventures (that does not include Reactor No. 4)...

Sacred Tree Vandalized...

I was checking out the latest headlines today and came across this story Famous Tree Vandalized.

I doubt you care but this made me sick.

A beautiful 2000 year old tree that went from this

To this

Is this the new TPing?  I sure as hell hope not.

Off to more adventures...

Metro-Dome Collapse...

AMAZING VIDEO...



Whoa... off to more adventures.

I Want...

For those of you who do not know, I am an avid collector of Jayhawk basketball memorabilia.  I have a many great pieces that I have either been given as gifts or have found.  I believe that the only coaches autograph that I am missing is Dr. James Naismith.  I've got basketballs signed by the who's who of KU basketball lore.  I have jerseys, pictures, pieces of floor, posters, balls, programs... the list goes on and on.

What would be the cherry on top of this KU basketball sundae?

The original rules to the game Dr. Naismith invented written by the man himself.

For only $2mm (starting price) it could make this Jayhawk fan a very happy guy Christmas morning.

ESPN.com Story

Off to more adventures...

Impressive...

How does one learn that this is one of the talents you possess?



Off to more adventures.

Hutch...

While visiting my hometown of Hutchinson I stumbled upon this sign at the end of one of the streets I grew up on.

It made me laugh and realize that Hutch was a pretty great place to grow up.

Off to more adventures.

What could it mean?

Hudsgiving...

This was Hud's first Thanksgiving.  He was in heaven.

Off to more adventures.

Uncle Bub and Hud

Family Photo...

Last night we had the C3 Holiday Party.  We took the opportunity to have a few family photos snapped in front of the Christmas tree.

What a good looking family.

Off to more adventures.

2010 Family Photo

Hudson Meet Santa. Santa Meet Hudson...

Nicole and I went to grab some C3 holiday party garb last night and thought it would be a good idea to introduce Santa to Hudson.  Santa was very impressed with such a good looking and sturdy kid.
It appears that Santa is the scared one.

Off to more adventures.

Santa and Hud 2010

Late Start + Close Game = Tired Fan

Last night was a scary game for KU fans.  We had a lot on the line.  Longest home winning streak in the country at 63, ranked number 4 in the country,  undefeated, PAC 10 vs Big 12 Challenge, the hype of two basketball programs dripping with tradition on national TV, and KU's first real test at home this season.

Hudson is a fan but doesn't have the attention span to last an entire game, plus the game started at his bed time.

Every morning after a game I give him a rundown of how the game ended up (while changing his diaper or hanging in bed) and we wait for the highlights to come on Sportscenter.

He always smiles but doesn't understand a word I am saying.  Just that it must be really important if Dad is telling me all of the details.

Hud, Nicole and I will have many memories surrounded by KU basketball and football.  Some will great experiences and some very disappointing (those usually take place in March or early April).  The thought that gets me excited the most is that we are going to get to experience them together, as father and son, like my dad and I did (and still do).

It won't be long until going to games means 3 tickets.

Very much looking forward to that day.

Off to more adventures (oh, and Rock Chalk).

Hud and Dad Tailgating

Hud and his Jayhawk blanket Aunt Zoe made

Hud's Jumbo-Tron Pic that appeared at Allen

Blink and You'll Miss It...

I have neglected my space on the web for over a year and need to get back in the rhythm of contributing to my blog on a regular basis.

It is hard to believe that Hudson is 9 months old. The time has just flown by. People will tell you that once you have a kid you cannot understand where the time goes. "Don't blink. You will miss your kids growing up. You'll wake up one day and your son/daughter will be preparing for college."

Truer words have not been spoken.  It has been 9 months of love filled smiles and family firsts.  I wouldn't trade it for the world.

Hud went from this...



To this...

Every day Hud makes Nicole and I smile and it reminds me that the most important things that surround my life are my family.  

Off to more adventures.

Flight Patterns...

As a frequent traveler for business I find this fascinating and beautifully illustrated.



Off to more adventures.