fight song all part of game day

By AMANDA R. BRADLEY

Published Sept. 28, 1999

Well, this weekend was a first for me. I don’t know if I like it or not, but I guess things have to change. It felt weird to just be sitting there, watching the action.

Of course I am talking about the Troy State football game Saturday.

For the first time in my life I actually had to purchase a ticket to get into the game instead of walking in with the band.

My betrothed and I broke a few speed limit laws making sure we got to the game in time for the pre-game show. We had been busy preparing for the upcoming nuptials so we left Dothan a little late.

But we made it and it was wonderful. I didn’t feel as sad as I thought I would. It’s nice being on this side and actually getting the full effect of the sound and the visuals all at once.

I was dissappointed that no one in the crowd around us besides me knew the words to the TSU fight song. I belted them out anyway. Then everyone would join back in by clapping to the beat when the vocal part was over and it went back to just the music.

I really didn’t know what to do with myself while the game was going on. I cheered with everyone else and tried to pay attention to the game. I’m just not used to doing that. It’s a whole different world on the other side of the field.

But I had a great time at the game and I am so proud of the team and, of course, my Sound of the South. I enjoyed "tailgating" for the first time ever and look forward to the next home game.

Well, as far as my wedding goes, this weekend was the start of addressing 375 invitations. Needless to say it was a bigger undertaking than I originally thought. It really takes some time for me to sit there and handwrite names and addresses so that they can be read by other people. My maid of honor helped me by stuffing the inner envelopes. We both decided that it would be better with just me doing the writing since her handwriting has a lot to be desired.

We proceeded to take over my mother’s dining room table in Dothan so we could spread out and form our makeshift assembly line. She made us lunch to help the day along and we had fun spending time together and remembering when she had her wedding.

For some reason I noticed the menfolk don’t hang around to help with these wedding festivities. They stay to eat and then they leave to go do "manly" things I guess.

Anyway, we are now in a rush to finish getting addresses. My mother just realized she only has this week to get about 100 addresses since next Sunday is the last day we have to address invitations. But I did finish up to the "H’s" this weekend, so I feel we got a little bit accomplished.

My maid of honor is busy planning my "bachelorette" weekend. It’s a surprise to me but from what I can gather we all are taking a long road trip to some place she and I have never been. Sounds like fun and no, there will not be any stripping involved.

I know everyone is writing about the lottery, but I don’t feel like it’s my place to try and change your opinion on this issue. If you are like me, your mind is made up and there’s not a whole lot anyone can say to change that. By the way, I am voting "no."

Don’t forget there is a reason and a purpose for everything. With only 94 some odd days left in this year, I encourage all of us to remember why we are here, to love one another.

Amanda Bradley is a staff writer for The Messenger.