Week 45
Another fine week with our YSAs--great classes, fun Soup Tuesday, good associations with good people.

Yesterday we went to the OSU football game.  First some of the ward members met at the institute to walk over to see the Spirit Walk--the band and drum line and Pistol Pete go to the student union and perform for about 15 minutes, then they play while the team marches out of the union and over to the stadium to get ready for the game.  As always, the intensity of the tailgating is amazing!

After that, we walked back to the institute for our own calmer version of tailgating with hamburgers and hot dogs, etc.  Then Kerby and I walked back to the 60,000 seat Boone Pickens Stadium.

The empty spot is where the band sits

And we were appropriately attired in orange (it was stripe the bowl day, so fans wore orange or white depending on section number).

There are a lot of interesting traditions at OSU games, and the most interesting one is the Paddle People.  There are about 200 of them, and at any given time over 100 of them sitting on the front row at the north east and north ends of the stadium.  They hold wooden paddles to beat on the padding that surrounds the playing field.  There is a cadence leader so they pound in unison, and they pound during player introductions and 10 quick times after an OSU first down.  Otherwise they are there to menace the opposing team, and they pound constantly when the other team has the ball until that team is about to hike the ball.  Apparently other coaches have talked about how unnerving it is to hear that constant pounding.  The paddles are considered weapons, so they can't be taken out of or into the stadium--they are stored there and the Paddle People come to games 2 hours early to get their seats and do a little practicing.  Sore shoulders and blistered hands are the dangers of being a Paddle Person, but since they have to be rabid fans to participate, they don't let that stop them.

The paddles say "Pokes"--the nickname for the Cowboys

Another fun tradition is Bullet and the Spirit Rider. After every OSU touchdown Bullet, a beautiful black horse, and the Spirit Rider carrying a big OSU flag come galloping onto the field.

One of the reasons we wanted to go to a game is that three of our YSAs are in the marching band, and we wanted to see them in action.  Even though we couldn't pick out our kids, the band put on a fun show at halftime.  To a person with virtually no coordination, how they can play an instrument while marching into formation of fun shapes is pretty miraculous.  

The day was terribly hot, but finally cooled off some.  Then when the score was tied at 38 (we played the Pittsburgh Panthers) a couple of minutes into the 4th quarter, the game was delayed because of lightning in the area.  Everyone had to clear the bowl--and most folks just left.  When we walked back to the institute it was a fairly steady but light sprinkle.  Moments later, as we drove home, it was a deluge, and the the lightning and thunder were all around us.  Two hours later the game resumed, and OSU won, 45 to 38.  

I've mentioned in previous posts how curious the fraternity and sorority doings are.  The very first week of classes, we saw frat boys carrying big metal pieces out of storage sheds.  Soon we saw welding all over the place.  For the last week or so, each one has had rented lifts out front, and the structures are getting taller.

Skeleton structures for the Homecoming Walk Around

What we've learned is that each frat house is paired with a sorority to create masterpieces for homecoming.  While the guys are building these structures, the girls are working with chicken wire and tissue paper creating works of art to be mounted on them.  Then they get put up between midnight and the morning on the first day of homecoming for the Walk Around.  Word has it this is amazing to behold and lots of fun.  There are prizes for the best.  All members have to commit to quite a few hows per week to work on the structure or the paper art.  Can't wait to see it, and will have pictures of the whole event in mid-October.

Aside from the wonderful time we're having with our mission calling, we are really enjoying the traditions and customs of Oklahoma.  It's a lovely state with lots going on--I guess OK is one of those "best kept secrets" that only a lucky few get to experience.