Ch-ch-ch-changes...

As promised, here is Part II of my rant about the life altering changes that happened for me this year. If you grew up in Dallas (or any of its suburbs), then every year while in school you received a Fair Day and free ticket. This is because the State Fair of Texas kicks ass! Anyone who "doesn't get it" or "can't justify spending all that money in one day" isn't doing it right. The only money my family ever spends is on food, and that is MORE than worth it.

The fair is packed with free shows and entertainment. The Embarcadero building is a real life infomercial connected to all the prize winning creative arts and foods. Before they remodeled it, it was this sort of crazy maze of kiosks that I loved to get lost in. Really, my family never really spent any time in the Midway because we took the entire day just looking at exhibits and experiencing the fine cuisine of the food court.

The State Fair is so routine that I internalized the time schedule for the "permanent" shows, and two of those staples were the Birds of the World (@2:30 P.M.) and the Marine Drum and Bugle Corp (@4 P.M.). We saw these two things at these times every year without fail. Regardless of the order of everything else: eating a corn dog, seeing the creative arts winners, eating pizza, going through the butterfly house, eating a turkey leg, finding the queen bee, eating a cinnamon roll, sitting behind the wheel of all the cool cars, eating a funnel cake...Well, this year funding didn't come through for the Marine Drum and Bugle Corp so they didn't preform! As if me MISSING one of my tentpole shows wasn't enough, IT WAS THE LAST YEAR OF THE BIRDS OF THE WORLD SHOW! What?! So after 25 years someone can just decide to retire! That's TWO shows I will no longer have if funding for the Corp doesn't return next year. What will I do?! I see me sitting at the bandshell and just staring at the empty stage for half an hour lamenting the loss of the birds, and then walking over to Marine Corp Square and doing the same.

This is too much. I don't like it and have been in a right proper funk over it. I can't even discuss it anymore. So here's some pictures of our experience this year:

There's a New Green in Town

I abhor the one constant in life: change. I might be able to fool people into believing I embrace the new and different with optimism. IT. IS. A. LIE. There is a level of comfort in things remaining the same, so when many changes happen at once, I cannot always jump right on the wagon and hope for the best. The year 2013 will go down in my history as one of the most jolting years of my life because two things greatly changed at a pace I am not happy with: The Dallas Stars rebranded and The State Fair of Texas is losing two of its staple attractions. This post and the one that follows will address each respectively.

You may remember my "advice" on fixing my favorite sports team The Dallas Stars*. Well, as it seems to be in this world, no one listened to me. Instead Mr. Gaglardi decided to rebrand WITHOUT MY PERMISSION. Not only did he have the nerve to surreptitiously create a new image for the team, but he also fired/replaced/moved out players and personnel who I devoutly admired. After that, he proceeded to replace said players with the enemy! (That's right. He hired a Detroit Red Wing to be GM replacing the 1999 Stanley Cup MVP.) Oy vey! It was too much to bear. I spent the entire summer in dismay (and I did download the Boston Bruins app in order to keep up with my Loui).

However, as October approached it could not be denied that I heard the ice calling my name. I knew I couldn't resist that Victory Green forever. I'm no where near admitting whole heartedly that I love, love, love The Dallas Stars: The Next Generation ("A Star is Rising" sounds goofy. They should have seen me for catchphrases.) I am ready to admit that I'll give them a chance. Perhaps I will always be helplessly loyal to my boys:).

In order to make the transition, I have reflected on the many times the Stars donned new uniforms to keep things fresh.

When they first arrived, this is what took the ice. My dad still has one of these.

Of course this one is my fave! This is what they wore when they won The Stanley Cup. I proudly sport my Nieuwendyk one to all the games I attend.

This one is appropriately nicknamed The Mooterus Jersey. I hope I never meet the moron who created this.

Well, sometimes basic is good...sometimes...

TADA! Here is what the Organization in its infinite wisdom decide The Dallas Stars should look like in 2013.

So really, I suppose the rebrand could be a lot worse. I mean, Mr. Gaglardi did manage to invent a new shade of green to represent who we are as a team. And if you know Dallas, we like to believe we are "special" (I call it pretentiousness, but whatever.) Victory Green it is! There is no denying it looks fab on and off the ice.

*Yeah, that investment in Jagr didn't even last the season. Who saw that coming? I'm just sayin'...