My daughter will be an Arizona twirler starting in less than a week.

I think of myself a college ball knower, but for the life of me, I cannot keep Brian Kelly and Chip Kelly straight. In my mind, they are one and the same, and by that, I mean this guy.

My daughter's highest placement was 7th in ADVANCED 3-baton for her age, her first time competing in the highest level of competition in 3-baton at Nationals. The top 5 in age 16, 17, 18, and 19 then combined to have a "twirl off" & the Top 3 of those ages combined advanced to Worlds in Italy.

The Grand National Solo Twirling Champ is from Western Michigan University, so a mid-major upset if you will.

Teenage MMOA is an amazing twirler from Mizzou. Although it's "Teenage", it's for all qualifying twirlers age 16+. Some collegiate twirlers opt to compete in this before "graduating" to Collegiate division. FYI, the other 2 Mizzou twirlers finished # 2 & 3 in Collegiate.

The Collegiate Miss Majorette of America (which combines 4 events into one, essentially an all around event: solo, x-strut, interview, and "modeling"--essentially posture & poise) is from USCe. The MMOA is a big deal in the twirling world. You qualify by finishing in Top 3 at state or regional comp.

Collegiate Solo & Collegiate Downfield events, my favorite thing to watch, were won by the same twirler, the Purdue Golden Girl. She also won Age 20+ solo & 2 baton, qualifying for Worlds in Italy 2027. She's a fun TikTok or Insta follow. She's also the first African American Golden Girl.

Counterpoint. When my dad got rid of the Abe Lincoln look, we were all like "YES" -- except for president's day when he would come cosplay at my school.

There are hundreds of amazing diverse Belgian beers, each with its own matching glass. If I have the funds, I'm picking a Belgian beer in every scenario. This was my guide book when I studied there one summer.

I spent a summer studying in Brussels in 1996. Had a delightful time eating chocolate and drinking wonderful Belgian beer. That said Go Go USA!

Represent!

3 weeks ago, we made homemade tiramisu with the family of a former exchange student in a unused convent in the Tuscan hills. My daughter decided to make it herself today, so tiramisu for the 4th of July it is!

Tried 3 of them, and they all were terrible.

@mulligan99.bsky.social repping the brand today with his Father's Day gift.

So I haven't seen a game yet in Monterrey. It looks like it's video game graphics. Such a beautiful stadium and setting.

Watching at a pub on Salisbury. The Brits at the next table weren't too sure what to make of American interested in soccer.

Checking out some butts today with @mulligan99.bsky.social and the fam.

Look, my husband is a Red Raider, but there's no denying letting him play is ridiculous (sorry honey) and that he should be hearing it from opposing fans. To go from Jacob Rodriguez' feel good story to this guy as your headliner sucks a lot.

Had an event where former USMNT player Charlie Davies spoke. Had to tell him that me and my husband went to the game in Costa Rica during the 2009 WC qualifying campaign he played in. Super nice guy. He's taking his twin sons to several awesome WC games this year.

I love doing big foreign trips with my kids. We've been doing it since my oldest was 2, when she was old enough to pull her own suitcase and wear a backpack. This one just graduated, & soon she'll be exploring the world on her own. Treasuring these family trips while they last.

I don't think I will need to describe the frightening screams at this Tuscan agriturismo we'll be staying in starting next Thursday, but I've got the phrase "i gridi spaventosi" phrase in my quiver thanks to Duolingo, just in case.

His skin is way redder. It's a bit disturbing. I would go with Red Skull.

I think for that age and type of event, you've got quite a wide range of what will work. My 14 year old loves thrifting for dresses and skirts and cardigans in her own quirky style. Here are a few outfits she's done in the last year or two, any of which I think could work.

My husband decided that 23 is the bamboo anniversary. He got me this awesome (and way too expensive) SMU-themed mahjong set. Total surprise. I love the band in their candy striped jackets, Dallas Hall, Peruna, and little Boulevard tents under the"bamboo" trees. Pony Up!

Finally made it to the Negro League Museum and the Jazz Museum after all these years. I wish they had the funding to modernize to make it more interactive and mixed media but still cool.

Haven't seen one of these in the wild. Seen while visiting my mom in Olathe Kansas.

Also, my nice shady tailgating spot is here.

I saw a World Cup match there in 2015. It was fun.

I have big big news that I can finally announce! Our stressful college twirling auditions have come to a happy conclusion! My daughter is heading west because we just weren't hot enough here in Big D! Someone once told me, college twirlers are the "pros" of their sport. And my kid is one of them!

Uh, what? Watched a lot of Samet the last 2 years. You can't teach 7'2", but maybe Indiana's coach will be better at teaching how to catch a ball when rebounding or receiving a pass, how not to bring the ball down when you do catch it, shoot free throws, dunk the flipping ball every dang time.