Colonel Rebel and all that jazz

Tomorrow morning I begin a series of interviews around the South discussing my Alma Mater and the current flap about its mascot. Many people want to know how I feel about the latest vote by the student body to participate in the new mascot process. I simply reply, "Read the book." Yes, it is true that six months ago I released a book that basically predicted that the University would officially take away the Ole Miss Colonel Rebel and completely fail at replacing the mascot until students intervened to lead the process and move the school forward in a positive way.

The main point I made about Colonel Rebel was that even those who are against keeping him should respect his years of service. The higher the pitch of his negative implications, the more push back his supporters will give and the more negative media attention will be centered around Ole Miss's tumultuous past. So follow me on twitter (Quentin_W) or Facebook and let's have some fun talking mascot possibilities. . . admiral ackbar, a bear, xena, the flood? Bring your a-game to this conversation!

Finally, if anyone is out there listening who has anything to do with making the changes we are discussing, give me a call. The song debacle that brought the KKK to town because of the continued rant against students calling them racist when they were simply obliviously being insensitive, is about to appear to be child's play when the mascot issue hits full force. Critically important is setting the right tone and defusing the critics with positive reinforcements. Bring it to someone who can set the right tone and provide the proper message.

Tiger Woods' Apology

I hate to apologize. Apologies are often only given after the damage is done and the offended party has already made their point that you messed up and are unlikely to get back in their good graces for quite sometime to say the least. But there are situations in which an apology does some good. It may bridge the gap that you lost with a friend after a disagreement. An apology can also serve as a way to reach out and get the past behind you. But apologies are no good unless the person requesting the apology is seeking forgiveness to the one or ones he has offended.

Tiger Woods has not done anything to me. Tiger Woods was not an elected official who owed the public an apology. Tiger Woods is a man who had tons of endorsement contracts that have now evaporated because he built up a lifestyle persona that was not who he really is. And now he has offended his family. He claimed to be someone he is not or was not. So he apologized. He did not owe US an apology. But he did anyway. I really felt sorry for him. Because nothing he said was going to change his circumstances but nonetheless he was told to offer his apologies to start anew. We all need to start anew each morning. But doing so requires divine intervention. You can't magically stop throwing clubs. You can't magically get over addictions. But by apologizing he is throwing the marker down and saying this is where I am going to begin to hold myself accountable. And by doing so, he is showing he has resolve and intends to be a better man. For that, I applaud him.

My strength comes from my faith. I hope Tiger is able to find the redemption he needs. I hope he doesn't make the same mistakes again. I hope his personal apologies to his family don't fall on deaf ears. I hope the best for him and I am thankful that despite all my own shortcomings, I have a Savior who extricates the worst of me and brings out the best. I hope for us all to be better people each new day. I also hope we help each other along the way and don't spend our time in judgement over each other's faults.

Go Tiger! Our best. Apology accepted.

Long Week in Jackson

For the first time since 1989 Jackson has had cold enough weather to experience a major set of bursting pipes all across the City. We were without water, then on boil alert and finally are able to return to work, school and leisure. Modern comforts are hard to be thankful for until you don't have them. I hope our City is able to do something about the outdated water sewer infrastructure we currently have. Tragic!

Merry (Bleeping) Christmas!

This is the time of the year that people love to hate! Why? Because it is madness. You are forced to interact with people that you intentionally have not talked to since this time last year. You did not talk to them because you have nothing in common. And the last time you did speak, there was awkward silence or you felt weird because you have nothing in common. Sometimes you feel guilty. Like, I know I am related to this person or have some sort of familial tie so I should at least make an effort to try to sort things out. Ask questions. Think, Q! What do they like? Everybody loves to talk about themselves. Right? You coach yourself to cope with the anxiety of the Christmas season.

This is what happened to me last year. I was getting ready for the week long process of going to eight different undisclosed yet pre-determined locations and it hit me. It being that sick feeling that you are not going to survive the madness of the holidays. "It" started with nausea, then a headache. Next thing I knew it was full blown depression. I couldn't move. I couldn't think. I just had to tell myself to breathe and be there. The whole of the insanity was more than I could bear.

This is what I hear them call the middle place. Where you have young children who want time with their parents and to enjoy their new toys in their homes and to run around the neighborhood with their friends. But then there are the lovely people who reared us and want things to be as they were many years ago when we were at their behest. Then there are the others. The ones who never fail to show up for every party and every holiday. Can you tell how much the anticipation of the season has me in exuberatant joy?!

But this year is different. This year I am happy and looking forward to the season. Maybe I am just giving up and recognizing that none of these traditions is going to change. Maybe I got an attitude adjustment. Maybe I am a bit more satisfied with the accomplishments of the year and able to finally relax regardless of how many times I have to pose for unwanted photographs. Or maybe, I am taking the time to realize that the things that matter most may not be all the glitter and travelling and random conversations but they are family and faith and hope. These are the things I am focusing on this year and in doing so, I will enjoy all the rest.

I went from thinking "Merry (Bleeping) Christmas" to zeroing in on that one most important word - Christ. The merry and the mas are just additional letters that remind us that when our Savior was born, we all had reason to be joyjul! See you around Aunt Sally's Christmas tree.

Have a Merry Christmas, everybody!

Relaxing Sunday

This morning the family and I headed to church for a new quarter in Sunday School (we were out last week) and a compelling sermon by Dr. Duncan at 1st Pres, JXN. Then, we headed to River Hills for a good lunch. I thoroughly enjoyed the quality time and am reminded of how much I love my family. This afternoon, Ginger is helping me get my information together for marketing my book that is set for release on October 13th. And the kids have chosen a movie for us to watch tonight!

Tweet?

Follow me on Twitter.com at Quentin_W. We'll explore the South, discuss literature, philosophy and kick back for an engaging set of ideas. See you there!

If By Whiskey

Have you ever heard of Soggy Sweat? If not, you should familiarize yourself. He was a Mississippi politician who was asked to deliver a speech on his stance on whiskey. In front of a large crowd at a banquet during the legislative session, he expounded on his position as to whether or not the State of Mississippi should repeal the prohibition laws that the federal government had repealed some 20 years prior.

In his speech, he eloquently defended and supported both sides of the issue - those for it and those against it! "If, when you say whiskey, you mean . . . ." he exclaimed. So, an If By Whiskey moment is that point in one's life when they clearly and perfectly see both sides of an issue and, instead of defending one side, they take them both! In the literary sense, it demonstrates irony and often includes elements of satire. Plus, it expounds on the metaphor.

There is more here than meets the eye. Think about it. I bet you can relate if you think about how many times this really has happened to you. Probably more than you want to admit!