Not much going on, so I'' talk about Tigers.

My weekend has been pretty quiet, so here are some random thoughts on Tigers

Given my love for my Alma Mater, the great University of Missouri aka Mizzou, it is only necessary that my first blog post be about the Tiger. This thought actually just came to me recently and I cannot believe I had not realized it sooner. I have truly been a tiger for life, and Tigers have had a significant impact in quasi-form throughout my life. I was born in the year of the Tiger, I grew up watching Tigger on Winnie the Pooh, I was a Tiger Cub Scout, I was a Tiger at MU and I am now going to China during the year of the Tiger!

According to the Chinese Zodiac I was born in the year of the Tiger, which is a sign of bravery. The courageous and fiery fighter is admired by the ancient Chinese as the sign that keeps away the three main tragedies of a household. These are fire, thieves and ghosts. So if you have a problem with any of those three tragedies, you know who to call…I specialize in tragedies involving fire and ghosts. I feel the overall description of those born in the year of the tiger fits me pretty well. Another cool fact is that 2010 is the year of the Tiger and I will be heading to China this year, how perfect.

I’m not actually going to write much about Tigger, but I’d say that he can be partially blamed for my goofiness.

My first steps as a Tiger were taken in the 1^st grade when I began Cub Scouts as a Tiger Cub. This was the beginning of a long career in the Boy Scouts of America, which culminated as an Eagle Scout and the rank of Runner Red Ram in the tribe of Mic-O-Say. The Cub Scout motto was simple and true…Do Your Best. That a great motto, simple sand too the point.

Next came the greatest time as a tiger in my life, my time spent at the University of Missouri. I grew up my watching and loving Mizzou athletics, wishing I could someday on Faurot Field in Memorial Stadium. My dream came true when I had the awesome opportunity to play football for the Tigers as a linebacker and longsnapper (longsnapping was the ticket in). Beyond that I was highly active in the university and love it with all my heart, almost as much as I love my family. I love it so much I even have a Mizzou tattoo of the 80’s logo.

The Tiger is the second most popular mascot, with the eagle coming in first. Missouri adopted the nickname “Tiger” soon after the football team was formed in 1890 (specifically a Bengal Tiger).

The name was chosen in honor of the local Civil War militia called “The Missouri Tigers.” The tiger is embodied in our official mascot Truman T. Tiger, named after Missouri-born President Harry S. Truman. Truman is not a male or a female, he is just Truman. The T. in his middle name stands for “the.“ Truman has twice been named the “Best Mascot in the Nation,” most recently in 2004.

While in China during the year of the Tiger, I hope to continue these Tigeresque experiences. I would love to find my way to Tiger Leaping Gorge in southwest China. Maybe I could find my way down to Thailand to hang out with the Buddhist monks that live with Tigers in their temple. So much to do involving the Tiger, this will be great!

Hope you enjoyed my little rant about Tigers, I love Tigers!

Tigers, Tigers, Tiger!

Brent