Another Revisit

Oklahoma State University got an emotional rollercoaster this week as the Cowboys triumphed over rival Oklahoma in the Big 12 tourney, then failed miserably against Kansas State tonight. I write this the day before the Illini face the Wisconsin Badgers for the 3rd time in the Big 10 tourney. Why the interest in the OSU Cowboys? Cause for right now, I am a visiting faculty member in Stillwater. When we last visited here, I titled that post "a little less west" (November, 2009). Between then and now, we were at the other Orange and Black OSU; the home of the Oregon State Beavers, which was by the map more west than here, so I titled the Oklahoma post "a little less west". Thinking about it, The degree of west can be geographic or cultural. Thinking about it culturally, I can't really call Oklahoma " less west". While driving here, between Springfield, Missouri and Tulsa, Oklahoma we saw more cattle and horses per mile than we did on 2 round trips via 4 different interstates from Illinois to Oregon and Washington. Beyond that, and the fact that the sports teams here are the Cowboys and Cowgirls, I am struck more this time that we really are among real "cowboys and cowgirls". I must make it clear that these are terms of endearment to us. We both still would like to think of our selves as a cowboy and cowgirl, but the best we can do is wear the boots and dress up our Explorer in "Cowgirl Up" stuff. As I went to work I was greeted by the guy in the first picture who is the State Bird of Illinois (and 6 other states). He was singing his heart out after the storm that passed through last night. When I last blogged about visiting Oklahoma State, I posted pictures of the Radiology Staff at the Veterinary College, but John, one of the technologists was off the day I took my camera, so here he is, acting like he is working... hmmm. While I had my camera at work, I took a picture of the workstation where I have spent most of my time this week when not working with students. Here is a little quiz for my family. What 2 items in this picture tell you that I actually have been working at this station???? I'm expecting Blaine to do the best on this quiz, but the challenge is on for all of you. It was fortunate that I had my camera with me today. When I walked in, I saw that my Host, Dr. Bob Bahr was wearing a similar shirt to me. Check this out, 2 guys who have made a career from looking at white images on black background are wearing black shirts with white markings. So here we are not as far west geographically, but truly in the heart of the west where rodeo is as common as standardbred racing in Illinois.