Welcome to the Tiki Bar

As the song says, the tiki bar is open. Unfortunately, I'm not writing from a tiki bar. I don't own a tiki bar. Actually, there probably isn't a tiki bar within hundreds - if not thousands of miles - of northeastern Oklahoma where I live. I've found, however, that I really enjoy warm weather, beaches, oceans, Jimmy Buffett, cocktails and beer (not necessarily in that order.) My dream, then, is to own a tiki bar on a beach where I can serve drinks to like-minded folks while listening to Jimmy Buffett and Jack Johnson. Until I can make this dream a reality, however, I will spend some of my spare time writing about the things I listed above. I will also write about sports at times. My wife (the Tiki Gal) and I enjoy playing cards, drinking cocktails and beer, and the friendship of a great couple in our hometown. We call evenings when we get together Card Nights and I will be describing the drinks, beer, and results of these as well.

Today, I am anxiously watching the clock as the time nears for the National Championship football game between my favorite college team, the Oklahoma Sooners, and the Florida Gators. Oklahoma has had a terrific season mostly because of an outstanding offense. Sam Bradford, the Heisman trophy winner, has been spectacular. I remember thinking when Jason White graduated that I would probably never see a better quarterback in an Oklahoma uniform. Boy, was I wrong.

I am worried, however, because Florida is really good. The weaknesses of this Oklahoma team, special teams and the defense, could easily be exploited by this fast and dangerous Florida team. Tim Tebow, in particular, is scary because I've watched him will his team to several wins this season. His competitive drive could easily be the difference in the game tonight.

If the Sooners happen to win tonight, the second best thing about it (behind winning the National Championship, of course) will be that ESPN won't be able to run that "Oklahoma has 4 straight BCS losses" message across the ticker every two minutes any more. It is bad enough for the fans that we've had to watch those losses. Seeing that message throughout bowl season is just rubbing salt in the wound in my opinion.

Tomorrow will be very good or very bad for us here at the Tiki Hut. The Tiki Gal is (possibly) a bigger OU and football fan than me. She not only doesn't complain when we watch football, she enjoys it and knows the difference between a quarterback and a cornerback. (She can also name coaches and players on teams other than Oklahoma - eat your hearts out fellas because I am a lucky man.) Our kids are also huge fans and will be watching tonight as well. If the Sooners don't win, some long faces will be leaving the Tiki Hut in the morning.