(Horns) Musings...By The Captain

I don't have much to say about the UTEP Miners. We're supposed to win this. They got a spanking last week, from what I read, when they were thinking this was "their year...That's all I've got to say other than I look forward to watching--if I don't fall asleep before the damn 9:15 kickoff that is.

However, I'd like to muse a little on what could be considered one of the most die hard Longhorn fans ever (and dare I say even best? ugh. that hurt me to type), Matthew McConaughey. We, as Longhorns didn't ask for him, shit...even as Austinites we didn't ask for him. But, here he is. Bringing fame and attention to little ol' Austin, for all kinds of things.

I have to start by saying, I'm not his biggest fan by any means. Sure, he's got some shapely abdominal muscles-- of which we all get to see because he lives shirtless apparently- he was a great character in "Dazed & Confused," okay, okay, he's actually been an all-right actor in a few movies, just not any of late, girls like him, you know...he's got his appeal (to some). Okay, he won People's "Most Sexiest Man" in 2005, it's more than some.

But more importantly, he's just kind of annoying. I mean, he had almost as much spotlight during the National Championship as Vince Young and all he did was stand on the sidelines and put his "horns up" incorrectly. Which, UT alum across the nation rolled their eyes at (okay, so maybe it was just the 10 people I was with at the Posse, whatever).

So you know, the right way to give THE University's hand sign is palm away from you, if you face your palm towards you and it looks like you're "ROCKIN ROLL"-ing!!! (Yeeeaaah!)

In addition to his movies, he also had a VH1 TV show to promote "Sahara" (it's okay if you do not even remember this, it probably gives you a few more IQ points than me) where he coined the phrase, "J.K. Livin'."

According to his website, this is his "mantra and a state of mind." (deep, so very deep.)

If you are Matthew McConaughey, your life is so fast paced that you have to abbreviate even your catchphrases, like talking in text message, only he did this waaay before people texted. The "J.K." stands for "Just Keep." "JUST KEEP LIVIN."

Let's think about this for a minute. I mean, it's sorta profound. Extremely good advice. I have decided to expound on this idea: "JDD." "Just Don't Die." (same, right?)

He also now has a website. As long as I've been writing this, this terribly repetitive reggae music has been drifting through my office...wait! Already I feel more at one with everything, this is the McConaughey effect it seems. NOW I see why he is like he is, all naked and shit, to be ONE with it ALL.

Wait. No. I don't.

IF you can stand to get through the intro page, you'll see the rest of this, but to spare you, the summary:

First, you can enter "Easy" or "Real Easy." (This guy is so CHILL!) "Easy" takes you through one more page than "Real Easy," it's quite stupid, really. Then once you arrive, still, JAMMIN, MON! A slide show of McConaughey through the years plays all fancy-website-flash-style. Seriously, this guy's more obsessed with pictures of himself than Cory! (sorry, Cory, it was a softball.)

Other highlights are his bio, with my favorite character summary being the first line:

"Texan Matthew McConaughey was raised to "never lie" and to always "see the rose in the vase, not the dust on the table."

I mean, could he be more down to Earth? (I think he might want us to think that? Hmm.) He also, "prefers commas to periods in order to keep his life fluid." His inner peace kind of makes me want to force him to do some hardcore PCP and see just how long it takes him to tweak.

But, despite all of this, he really IS a good fan. He really loves his Longhorns. And Austin. So, we share that.

As an example, Mike & I saw "Tropic Thunder" this weekend and throughout it he wears a Texas Longhorn baseball cap. That's awesome. Why? Because you know the set design likely required him to don a baseball cap, and instead of some nondescript blue thing, he suggests his own wardrobe and supports his team. THAT'S good fanmenship. (I made up a word today!)

If only all we Longhorn Fans could be a little more like McConaughey.

(That was STILL hard to type, I may not be able to verbalize this, but I mean it.)