Texas Tech says that O-State steals their traditions... Nope

I wrote this email to a friend that attended Texas Tech University after he informed me that Oklahoma State stole all of their traditions. Untrue things that are spewn about my beloved O-State are not tolerated in my world...

I'm posting this email because I read this on a friends blog about a similar topic. I thought it was fitting. Enjoy!


All of these subjects have been said to be stolen by OSU from Texas Tech. Just wanted to clear the air...Read and be humbled:

School Establishment:

Oklahoma A&M - 1890

Oklahoma State University - 1957

Texas Technological College - 1923

Texas Tech University - 1969

Conclusion: No stealing here... since we were around long before Tech was.

Mascots:

OSU - Spirit Rider and Bullet - 1984

Tech - Masked Rider: Official in 1953 (done originally as a dare in 1936)

Conclusion: The Spirit Rider WAS inspired by the Masked Rider, though no masks are involved... I will concede to this one.. It was Dr. Eddy Finley, a graduate of Texas Tech who thought up the idea, while working at OSU... So I think "stolen" is wrong to quite wrong. But you guys did have it first...

OSU - Pistol Pete - 1923 

Tech - Raider Red - 1971 

Conclusion: Our mascot is based on an actual person (a grade-A badass, actually) in history, and was not simply made up by a cartoonist (Raider Red was). Oh and Pistol Pete became our mascot the same year your school began to exist.

Hand Signal:OSU - Pistols Firing/Go Pokes - No Date Found...

Tech - Guns Up - 1972

Conclusion: This is a hand signal, the Southwest Conference was known for them, however, we both have "double gun toting" mascots. It seems quite likely to have a hand signal that indicates such a thing. Also, our "double gun toting" mascost is an actual cowboy, our mascot existed before you school did, therefore its likely that our hand signal was not "stolen" from Tech.

Cheers:
OSU - Orange Power - 1975

Tech - Raider Power -  No Date Found... Conclusion: This is a cross stadium cheer that numerous Universities use (one version or another)... it's ridiculous to say anyone stole it from anyone else. Unless Tech thinks they started "cross-stadium cheering."

Other Facts:Will Rogers is a born and raised, famous Oklahoman... not a Texan. Talk about stealing.

Yes, its ridiculous that I did this much research to prove a point... but I don't care. You have one semi-valid point about the Spirit Rider... that's all... end of story. You should forward this to your school so they can get their facts straight.

Aaaaaah-thank-you-very-muuuuuuuuuch-ah!


-dwb

Photography... HDR... Canon... In Love!

I just bought a Canon Rebel XS... its the lowest end Rebel available but its leap years above my point and shoot cameras. I purchased this mainly because we are expecting our first child in July (in case you don't know I have another blog over here all about this journey) and wanted to be able to take pictures that weren't either completely blown out or dark past the point of recognition, which is what you get with indoor point and shoot shots. Anyway, as an added bonus I also get to try my hand at a technique that I have fallen in love with... HDR or High Dynamic Range photography. If you have never seen this style check out this site: www.StuckInCustoms.com and prepare to have your mind blown all over your computer in a matter of minutes.

I'm going to try my hand at this style of photography until either find that I have no eye for this stuff (which is doubtful since I'm awesome) or until I get it right and become a professional. So without further ado here are my first 2 attempts. Feel free to comment on them, good or bad. I need help learning. They are also on my Flickr Page (another place to get help with this stuff!) Enjoy! (or not)

New Blog - Different Style

My wife and I have started a new blog! http://thefirstbyrdbaby.blogspot.com

As you might be able to tell by the title it is about our new addition that hasn't arrived yet! Crazy, I know... but I'm thrilled! Scared, but thrilled nonetheless! So I might not ten to this blog as diligently as I haven't been (no that wasn't a typo) but if you are interested in following along with us in our journey through pregnancy and then parenthood, well... Read it!

Until next time. Byrd out!
-dwb

Twitter

Ok, I broke down and joined the "twitter nation"... I kinda feel dirty, but a little awesometown at the same time. I really never thought I'd do this, as I tend to think it's narcissistic and self-promoting... oh well, I guess you are what you tweet, and I tweet AWESOME!!!

I will slowly learn the art of Twitpics, @Reply and @Mention... We'll see how it goes. My 5 latest tweets are at the top right of this page... Enjoy! If you read this then you probably will enjoy because you obviously like my weird sense of humor, or care enough about me to "filter out the bullshit and take the rest to heart"...

Much love,
-dwb