So I have a Vols hangover.

I thought we had a shot yesterday but we collapsed  because of the half-time adjustments made by the Gators coach. I had a lot of fun, however, watching the game in a sea of fall orange where we looked like a disturbed, rabid pumpkin patch, sang Rocky Top with wild abandon and then drowned ourselves in cheap hops and barley in the fourth quarter, commiserating another missed opportunity.

The Vols were just plum outcoached in the second half. These things happen. The sun still came up this morning. I met Derek Dooley’s dad once when Hoots U played the Orange in Knoxville during DD’s first game. We talked about small towns and local newspapers in the media room over a plate of barbecue. We discussed Steve McNair’s nephews playing for UTM. I admit I didn’t know who he was which was probably good because I just blabbered on and he seemed interested. He was genuinely a nice guy. I do worry about his son’t future because Tennessee likes to win. Let us not forget the moving van sent to Bill Battle’s house a few decades ago.

It’s not all on Dooley though. He is accountable for the wins and losses as he is coach but as a long-time fan, and from several generations of Vols Fans, we notoriously have seen teams play one great half and then embrace sports sucktacular in the next half. This one just hurt because I thought we had a shot. And Smokey is so dang cute.

Sports are one of those things that you can scream and howl amongst like-minded people where it can be fun. I also saw my first bookie trying to set up bets this week. I was in a place I rarely go but thought I would check out again. I’ve never seen a bookie sheet before. I watch, intrigued and had to look away when he noticed I was staring at him. The bartender saw what was going on and told him to put it away. The man’s demeanor reminded me of Mr. Jimmy from Hoots but, alas, he doesn’t have Mr. Jimmy’s flair for a fine hat or his impeccable style.

This week, in other news, I will be operating outside my comfort zone. I honestly am not as brave as I wish I was so this is a big deal if only to me. I’m a bit worried. A friend of mine asked me if I have been hermiting out and the truth is, I have. I’m moving past this though or at least trying to.

I guess this is an annoying autobiographical pause. I heard the bookie say something that made a lot of sense to me, “You just got to live each day like you are the winner.” I realize that this man was a grifter but damn if it didn’t create a lightbulb go off over my head at that very moment.

Also, I’m not a fair weather fan of the Vols. We will get through this even if it takes a sledgehammer, duct tape and bread ties to do it.

And there is always next year.