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One thing many of you will understand is this: It is difficult to sustain a negative thought while watching the surf roll in on a sunny beach. So I am now in a reflective mood after yesterday's peevishness. (I am sure you are all delighted and relieved to know that.) 
This is the best of times for devoted Ute fans. Getting into the PAC10 is simply huge for us and really a dream come true. Enough said about that.
This is in many ways the worst of times for devoted BYU fans. I won't say much about that because little needs to be said, just this: All Ute fans who are honest with ourselves know how we would feel if our positions were reversed.
This is also the worst of times for the rivalry and in many ways for this board (IMO). In it ahort history this board has been a pretty friendly place except as the fall progresses and the rivalry game approaches. Then the game is over, one side or the other gloats, bowls come along, and we mostly move on.
This year that pattern was disrupted by the conference realignment circus. It seems that all our rivalry sore spots have been rubbed raw, and it has been as if Rivalry Week -- when very few of us are at our best -- has been going on for three months now. Ute fans smugly hope that Utah will drop BYU from its schedule. BYU fans do all they can to devalue Utah's PAC-10 achievement. And those are just examples. It has gotten very old and I am beginning to hate it, and yesterday I overreacted to a couple of people (who, frankly, really ticked me off).
Time and the relentless surf, however, have added some perspective. Several things seem pretty sure to me now:
That is all. Now I think I will go borrow a water bike and cruise around the Bay.
This is the best of times for devoted Ute fans. Getting into the PAC10 is simply huge for us and really a dream come true. Enough said about that.
This is in many ways the worst of times for devoted BYU fans. I won't say much about that because little needs to be said, just this: All Ute fans who are honest with ourselves know how we would feel if our positions were reversed.
This is also the worst of times for the rivalry and in many ways for this board (IMO). In it ahort history this board has been a pretty friendly place except as the fall progresses and the rivalry game approaches. Then the game is over, one side or the other gloats, bowls come along, and we mostly move on.
This year that pattern was disrupted by the conference realignment circus. It seems that all our rivalry sore spots have been rubbed raw, and it has been as if Rivalry Week -- when very few of us are at our best -- has been going on for three months now. Ute fans smugly hope that Utah will drop BYU from its schedule. BYU fans do all they can to devalue Utah's PAC-10 achievement. And those are just examples. It has gotten very old and I am beginning to hate it, and yesterday I overreacted to a couple of people (who, frankly, really ticked me off).
Time and the relentless surf, however, have added some perspective. Several things seem pretty sure to me now:
- The rivalry will continue. I know this without a shadow of a doubt, with every fiber of my being. Seriously, ending it is just unimaginable.
- BYU football (and athletics generally) will be just fine. The Big 12 may well happen, creating terrific opportunities for the Cougs. Even that doesn't happen, some pretty smart people with a very broad perspective (I don't want to start a war, but many of us consider that perspective "inspiration") will still decide how best to use BYU's considerable (and in many cases unmatched) resources to advance the school's mission.
- Utah will have great opportunities going forward. Whether we will convert them into real achievements remains to be seen. There is a lot of work ahead for the University and its boosters.
- This board will be a fine place to hang out and have some very diverting fun. We may need a few months for the current "sore season" to pass, however.
- YOhio will always be a warthog-faced buffoon and a miserable vomitous mass. SU will always be a Rodent of Unusual Size. The jury's out on Lebowski.
That is all. Now I think I will go borrow a water bike and cruise around the Bay.
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