Austin, TEXAS, January 4, 2006 — It's really hard to say that I don't care about the Rose Bowl. I really do. I know what a big deal it is. I know that people will be happy and spend more money around Austin if Texas wins.

But I can't get excited about a sports game.

Most of the people at this Rose Bowl party wore orange. I wore pink. Because I don't have orange and I don't really know what's going on but I know pink isn't in the other team's color palette.

I end up enjoying the food and drink a bit too much. Because I don't have to wait for a break in the (admittedly) exciting action to get a cracker and paté, to fill my plate, to nab a cookie or to fill my glass.

When there are conversations, I join in. People are talking about the special Texas Leg. election. I mention that we aren't in the district that is voting. We talk about politics. I like conversations and that's why I probe some local philanthropists about where they are going on their next trip and then the one after that. (They're going to Switzerland and London and, I forget, back to China or something.) But you feel like conversation is interrupting an important thing. Oh, the game.

At one point I have a sideways view of the game but the host blocks it now and again, probably because he thinks I'm not watching. Possibly because I have a book off his shelf in my lap (Stephen King's On Writing). I find I can see the TV reflected in the glass of a picture on the wall. Which is fine except that it looks like Vince Young's number is '01.'

It would be nice for UT to win. Some in the crowd are living and dying with every missed tackle and fumble and questionable call. I'm taking an interest in the lovely china and crystal that we've been served with and all the silver serving pieces. I see a wedding picture on the wall with the couple and what looks like about twenty attendants at their wedding. (This picture is right above the one giving me a mirror image of the game.) There are more people all dressed alike in this picture than attended our wedding. Maybe that accounts for the fact that they have all this silver. But who polishes it? I can't keep the few pieces I have in good shape.

So, yeah, hard to keep my mind in the game.

Yeah, it would be nice for UT to win. But it's not cosmic. There seem to be only minor injuries. Some players cramping. Those miners are dead, I think. It's only a game.

Yeah, it would be nice for UT to win. Only it doesn't look like they will. People with children are going home. At one point a red-haired boy came to see his Dad. "What do you need?" His dad asked. "Nothing, I'm bored." He replied.

Other people leave, too. It's late. It's a 'school' night. Maybe they don't want to face the host if it's not a victory. He's has his stereo remote ready to punch up Texas Fight at the least provocation. You'd hate to have him put us through the dirge-like Eyes that loyal Longhorns sing to show their support in a loss.

It's not cosmic whether they win or lose. Trust me. We are home, FFP watching in the big room when the winning score is made. I can relax. The local economy will be stoked by the buying of orange clothing. All is well.