Nov 19th 2012 08:16 am Shrink Rap III


Buy the new book, "Beaucoup Arlo & Janis!"Today's "Arlo & Janis!"
Thanks, Neal, for pointing out that we’ve made the NYT crossword puzzle, again. Names from the strip (I don’t want to spoil the puzzle for anyone!) show up there periodically, and it’s always a hoot.

Now, I hope you will forgive me if the commentary this morning is a bit inhouse, and I wouldn’t bring it up here at all, except you probably were exposed to the situation through stories in the news media two years ago. (Has it been that long?!) You will remember the oak trees at Toomer’s Corner, a landmark of Auburn University in Auburn, Alabama. They were poisoned by a wayward Alabama football fan after Auburn beat Alabama in 2010. The trees are still alive, thank you, but they are very distressed. They certainly will die an untimely death, whether this year or later. Now, a bit of background: the significance of the trees, and the reason they were targeted for attack, is that it has become a tradition for students and fans to “roll” the trees with toilet paper after an Auburn football victory. This past weekend, after a rare Auburn victory over a minor-league opponent (We’re having a down year.), the trees were rolled for only the third time this season. And, as has happened before after the “impromptu” pep rally, someone set the toilet paper on fire. You can imagine what this does for the debilitated trees, although it’s true they probably are going to die anyway. My point, fellow Auburn alumni, fans and students, is, maybe we should let this tradition die with the trees. We haven’t exactly been doing the oaks any favors over the years The toilet paper was removed with fire hoses before the trees were poisoned; now its done by hand by men in bucket trucks. That’s a rough thing to do to any tree, and it is kind of, well… juvenile. Anyway, that’s the opinion of this alumnus.

Posted by jimmyjohnson / Vintage A&J

45 Responses to “Shrink Rap III”

  1. Rich in Belchertown on 19 Nov 2012 at 9:08 am #

    Alumnus?

  2. Mindy on 19 Nov 2012 at 9:19 am #

    Alumnus: One who alumes.
    Alume: The act of having an opinion which has been earned.
    Aluming: Expressing an earned opinion.

    Today’s real-time caught me off guard and made me snort coffee through my nose laughing, which is very uncomfortable. Still, it was beautiful! Thanks for brightening my morning, Jimmy.

    And, personally, although I cannot honestly alume in this case, I think the destruction of the trees was far more criminal than it was terribly juvenile. I’m just sayin’…I think I’d say the same thing if I could honestly alume.

  3. Sam in Alabam(a) on 19 Nov 2012 at 9:26 am #

    When I started to Auburn, the rolling was only done for away football victories. Over the years it expanded to all football victories, home or away, and significant victories in other sports (e.g., swimming team winning national championship). The trees were even rolled after the recent presidential election. Although I’m sure it’s stopped now, at one time they even encouraged incoming students during orientation to toss a few rolls, to get the flavor of the tradition.

    I’m told, though can’t confirm, that in the earlier years the rolling was done to the intersection, not the trees themselves. Given all this, it’s amazing the trees have survived this long.

    I think it’s time to let them go. They were starting to be a hazard for pedestrians even before the poisoning, periodically dropping limbs and such. My only hope is that they don’t come up with some kind of artifical “tree” to replace them specifically for rolling.

  4. Dave in MA on 19 Nov 2012 at 9:27 am #

    I think the TP is juvenile. The poisoning is definitely criminal.

    Alumnus is the singular of Alumni. Someone who formerly matriculated at the school in question.

  5. Hurd in Bay Minette on 19 Nov 2012 at 9:34 am #

    Well traditions come and they go. Sometimes they go a long time after they need to. Speaking of bygone things, I am sad to announce that Brothers BBQ of Bay Minette, Al has closed its doors. It has just become too expensive to keep the doors open. I would like to thank Jimmy and all of the others here in our online community for all the support. We will still be competing in BBQ contests and now with the additional time that we will have, hopefully we can venture out father than we have in the past. One lesson is that I am so glad that we tried. We learned a lot about each other and met a wide variety of people in our town that we normally would not have had a chance to meet.

  6. Mark from Maine on 19 Nov 2012 at 10:02 am #

    Sam – “Started to” is a lovely phrase not seen much here, and I find it very poetic.

    Hurd – So sorry to hear, for you as it sounded like a heartfelt project and for me, who never got down there to try it.

    Happy Thanksgiving to all – we all have much to be thankful for, no matter any “downs” in our life . . . And I am thankful for A & J and all you nice folks here.

  7. Ghost Rider 6 on 19 Nov 2012 at 10:12 am #

    So I’m guessing they still have panty raids at Auburn, too?

    I’m truly sorry to hear of the closing, Hurd. I planned to stop by when I could make it to your fair city, but I never did. My loss, as well as your community’s, I’m sure.

    What about “fixing to,” Sam? :)

  8. Mindy on 19 Nov 2012 at 10:17 am #

    I’m sorry you had to close as well, Hurd. Would love to have tried your BBQ although I would guess we’ll be a long time before coming to your area. I agree with Ghost [wow!] that it’s most likely the community’s loss.

    Panty raids? Ghost! I am ashamed of you! And I thought the toilet paper stuff was infantile! Shame, shame, shame! It’s much more sanitary to buy your own than to sneak in and steal them! I always wondered what, exactly, you guys did with your purloined trophies? And the use of “purloined” was accidental rather than a deliberate pun.

  9. Robin in Fl on 19 Nov 2012 at 10:17 am #

    Hurd

    Sorry to hear that, but as you say, lessons learned, friends made, opportunities opened.

  10. Debbie in Alabama on 19 Nov 2012 at 10:27 am #

    Hey, Sam, I started to and finished Auburn before the rolling of Toomer’s Oaks began. But I enjoy seeing the pictures of the crowds that gather after a winning game. The Forestry Club once sold seedlings of the Toomer’s Oaks. Don’t know if it continues since the poisoning. A group from the school of forestry presented a 4-H Club program for the elementary school where I was librarian. They presented our school with a seedling. It has flourished.

  11. Ghost Rider 6 on 19 Nov 2012 at 10:39 am #

    “I agree with Ghost”?? Mindy, are you sure you’re feeling OK?

    I hear that panty raids are how El Fantasma obtains his pink thongs, as he’s too shy to buy them at the local lingerie emporium. And you can believe that like I believe that your use of “purloined” was accidental.

  12. Redman in "The Big O" on 19 Nov 2012 at 11:56 am #

    I have been to “Toomer’s Corner” and rolled the trees on many victorious Saturday’s. It is a shame that this tradition will soon end. I was there this past weekend and they look horrible. I’m sure that Auburn University will probably plant new trees to replace them and discontinue the rolling. The tradition might be juvenile but it sure was lots of fun for many years !

    War Eagle !! Beat Bama !!

  13. sandcastler on 19 Nov 2012 at 1:02 pm #

    Hurd, sorry to hear of the closing, as the man says one door goes shut and another opens. Good luck on the BBQ circuit. Let us know if you are competing in the Houston area.

    Never experienced a pantie raid. Between curfew and an all male campus, very few raidable panties. Besides, today thongs are the thing and they are more peel off than raidable. ;-)

    Yes, Mindy and GR6, I know about thongs, my young bride sleeps in them. :-)

  14. David in Austin on 19 Nov 2012 at 1:53 pm #

    Hurd,

    Sorry to hear that you weren’t able to keep the doors open. As others have said, I’m sure it is a loss to your community. I know that good barbeque is a treasure. There are too many places that serve cheap, low-quality barbeque. That makes it that much harder for someone that is producing a quality product, which is more expensive to make and sell. Good luck on the competition circuit!

  15. domaucan1 on 19 Nov 2012 at 3:11 pm #

    WAR EAGLE !!!

    GO BIG BLUE !!!

    BEAT BAMA !!!

  16. Ruth Anne in Winter Park on 19 Nov 2012 at 3:16 pm #

    Hurd, have you considered joining the food truck movement?

  17. Hurd in Bay Minette on 19 Nov 2012 at 3:24 pm #

    Ruth Anne We were thinking about doing that when the building we were in opened up. Plans changed but it is still a intriguing idea.

    Thanks everyone. The nice thing is that this is similar to when I retired from coaching football. I forgot that there was so many extra hours in the day.

  18. Dan in SWMo on 19 Nov 2012 at 4:02 pm #

    Alumnus, masculine singular, a former student or member of an institution.
    Alumni, masculine or unisex plural.
    Alumna, feminine singular.
    Alumnae, feminine plural.
    As with many words of this nature, a lot of people don’t make the proper gender and number distinctions, so you will unfortunately see references to “an alumni.”

  19. Dan in SWMo on 19 Nov 2012 at 4:05 pm #

    Here is evidence: http://oncampus.macleans.ca/education/2012/04/26/why-youll-never-be-an-alumni/

  20. Mark in TTown on 19 Nov 2012 at 4:39 pm #

    Hurd, sorry to see you go. I would like to have tried your place, if I had been able to get there. Maybe you will do a competition up here in the Tuscaloosa area and I will get my chance then.

    Jimmy, as a graduate of Alabama, I am very sorry for what that “person” did. He was no true representative of UA, just the fanatical follower of any idea which has gone too far. I hope that some of those seedlings grown from the original oaks will be replanted there. If not, maybe someone with the University of Alabama will offer replacements. We have no shortage of old oaks on the campus here, and it would be an appropriate gesture under the circumstances.

  21. Mindy on 19 Nov 2012 at 7:25 pm #

    Welcome to Eighth Grade English….

  22. Mindy from Indy on 19 Nov 2012 at 7:47 pm #

    Mindy, Better Eighth Grade English than Algebra! And Hurd, I am sorry about your store, but I’m glad you are enjoying your free time.

  23. Lee in Beauregard on 19 Nov 2012 at 8:27 pm #

    Sam in Alabam(a)

    You are correct regarding the Toomer Corner intrersection was rolled rather than the trees. The intersection was blocked off and we rolled away with toliet paper. I finally graduated from Auburn in 1980 and like this year we rarely got to roll the interesection that year.

  24. Bob, near Mark on 19 Nov 2012 at 8:30 pm #

    An alumninum – ALCOA :)

  25. sandcastler on 19 Nov 2012 at 8:33 pm #

    And that my friends is a wrap.

  26. Ghost Rider 6 on 19 Nov 2012 at 9:24 pm #

    As I recall, the favorite thing I learned in the 8th grade was biology.

  27. Jean in Dahlonega Ga aka Trapper Jean on 19 Nov 2012 at 10:33 pm #

    The only thing I remember about school before college is that I hated it, especially high school. There is a reason, but it’s too long and drawn out to get into at the moment. No, I’m not saying I won’t tell, just not all at once.

    I truly believe that karma cannot be escaped, and the person (and I use the term loosely) who poisoned those trees will eventually have to pay for the crime, if not in this lifetime, then another. It would be interesting to see what he (or she) gets reborn as.

    Hurd, as “They” say, when one door closes another opens. Who knows what this shall lead to?

  28. Mark in TTown on 19 Nov 2012 at 11:35 pm #

    sandcastler, a wrap? Foiled again!

  29. TruckerRon on 19 Nov 2012 at 11:45 pm #

    Trapper Jean — perhaps that person will be reborn as a quick-growing pine, striving to the skies, next to a stream due to be invaded by beavers.

  30. Ghost Rider 6 on 19 Nov 2012 at 11:59 pm #

    I learned about beavers in the 8th grade.

  31. Debbe59 on 20 Nov 2012 at 4:14 am #

    I once read a bumper sticker that read: “Save a tree, eat a beaver”. I think it was on Daryll Hannah’s bumper!!!!!!!!!!

  32. Ghost Rider 6 on 20 Nov 2012 at 6:23 am #

    I am all about saving trees, Debbe.

    And I’m a long-time admirer of Daryll Hannah’s bumpers.

  33. TruckerRon on 20 Nov 2012 at 7:20 am #

    GR6: Are you one of those many Summer Lovers?

  34. Dave in MA on 20 Nov 2012 at 7:36 am #

    Maybe I’m in the minority here, but I noticed one comment that SHOULD have had a reply from at least ONE person, but I didn’t see such a reply.

    Eighth Grade English? Sorry, but that’s Latin.

  35. Ghost Rider 6 on 20 Nov 2012 at 7:49 am #

    You know, TruckerRon, I’ve never understood why that movie didn’t cop the Golden Globes award that year.

  36. TruckerRon on 20 Nov 2012 at 7:57 am #

    I remember that she made a huge Splash with Tom Hanks… and was Reckless enough to join the Clan of the Cave Bear… It’s hard to believe she’s been making films over 30 years! She certainly looks better today than most 50+ year old women.

  37. Mindy on 20 Nov 2012 at 8:04 am #

    What’s so special about her bumpers?

  38. Mindy on 20 Nov 2012 at 8:04 am #

    Never mind.

  39. Ghost Rider 6 on 20 Nov 2012 at 8:18 am #

    Good morning, Mindy. Got a recipe for beaver?

    How do you know you’re at a Cajun zoo?
    Every exhibit has a placard giving the name of the animal, a recipe for cooking it, and a wine suggestion.

  40. Dave in MA on 20 Nov 2012 at 8:30 am #

    Mindy, you got me…. I can’t find anything particularly special or likable about them. She’s not my cup of tea, never has been.

  41. Mindy on 20 Nov 2012 at 8:36 am #

    God bless you, Dave! A man with discerning tastes rather than a mammary fixation! :)
    As a matter of fact, Ghost [I check an old Cajun cookbook] I do have a recipe for Beaver. And, no, I will not share it with you. I see you understand the two-fold educational value of The Cajun Zoo & School of Cuisine.

  42. Ghost Rider 6 on 20 Nov 2012 at 8:40 am #

    But, Mindy…sharing is good.

    I have a hilarious Thanksgiving joke, but I can tell it here.

  43. Ghost Rider 6 on 20 Nov 2012 at 8:41 am #

    Sorry…CAN’T tell it here.

  44. Ghost Rider 6 on 20 Nov 2012 at 8:52 am #

    In an attempt to find a recipe, I googled “beaver.” You wouldn’t BELIEVE what that returned.

    Actually, there was one that sounded as though it might be good…Country Style Beaver.

  45. TruckerRon on 20 Nov 2012 at 9:18 am #

    A mammary fixation? Moi? I like Ms Hannah to the extent that she is a fellow mammal, but I prefer lithe brunettes to buxom blondes! Top-heavy bimbettes strike me as demonstrations of surgical and chemical skills, not real women.