Singing in the Swamp

This past weekend was one of the best of late, despite the insane amount of driving. Friday night, I drove though K-ville long enough to have lunch with Fisch (for two hours), pick up my sis, and visit McKays. Sister had to drag me out of McKays as usual because we wanted to get to Nashville before dark. I picked up a copy of Cold Sassy Tree, which Fisch recommended to me.

So Sis and I arrived in Nashville and crashed for the evening. Saturday we woke up and flew to Orlando, where we got lost a few times and finally made it to Gainesville to see our beloved Vols play the Gators. Even though we lost, it was an experience we will never forget.

I have never experienced an away game atmosphere quite like UF. I knew their fans were notoriously obnoxious, but I had only a vague idea of how rude and crude they truly were. I was called a whore more time in one afternoon than I hope to be called for the rest of my life. All in all, it was a very poor reflection on the school.

I have always been one to believe in positive sportsmanship. You cheer for your team and not against the other team. From the seventh row of the TN section, I sang Rocky Top at the top of my lungs. I yelled and screamed every cheer and shpok my pom pom continuously. My sis and I were so positively obnoxious, the Florida fans around us left at halftime! I was in a great place mentally-- so very close to a truly spiritual moment-- quite childlike and free. I am quite a reserved person, and I rarely let myself go like that, but it was fabulous.

One of the highlights of the trip was re-connecting with my friend Melissa and her boyfriend Terry.