shaneb

In case you were wondering... interesting side note. Both of those galleries were shot by UNT journalism school alumni. And both former employees of the NT Daily.

Thanks Harry, no idea why that wouldn't come up earlier!

Anyone mind sharing the youtube link? Simple search doesn't seem to bring it up.

Neither could my 5 month old... when you hear him screaming at the Cotton Bowl.... remember it's because he's excited.... not cause he had 2 hours of sleep and won't eat.

We are bringing 12. None of which have been to a home game this year. Most of which haven't been to a home game in the last two years. We had plans for homecoming that fell through and I made the Tulsa game.

Eligibility and high GPAs are good for the football team, the fans, the school. But the one thing that will really be meaningful to the student themselves is graduation rate. I am happy for the program for this stepping stone, but a high graduation rate will equal real success in my mind. Last I saw, the football team had a GSR of ~65%. Compare that to our conference... last year the only team with a worse GSR was UAB at 60 with TU and UCF above 80 and Rice at 96%. Now THAT is serving your student athletes.

I shot an NBA D-League game yesterday in the middle of the worst weather we have had in years and there were just as many people per seats there! That's sad.

Fans traveled well I thought and were LOUD for their size especially during some key plays in the first half. Heard several comments about their ability to make noise from both the press box side and the suite level.

Are your tickets at Will Call? I haven't bought any yet if you want the money back from them.

It's a tough place to tailgate. I am not sure they have any spaces for visiting teams. The spots on the Chapman Commons (the big grass lawn) are reserved forever in advance (you have to buy them for the year) and they have not only electricity, but full cable TV hookups! ha! There are some other spots as well, but there are no big open parking lots or anything since it's in midtown. There will be lots of activities for kids and a band at the commons starting 2 hours before game time.

I suppose this depends on what neighborhood you park in. We are closer than most campus parking to the stadium. And no it doesn't cost to park, it's just street parking. Although if you park on the wrong side of the street (look for signs) it could cost a lot.

Just FYI, if you haven't been here since 2003, it's truly a different city. Downtown is the place to be, dozens of new places to eat and drink and hang out open every 6 months it seems. I can't even keep track anymore. Two new bbq joints have opened up downtown just in the last three months. It's a neat city, I think my last post got lost in the noise, but you can for sure entertain yourself for a long weekend if not longer. To whoever is in the Fairfield Inn.... you are in the newest, coolest district in town. You'll have a blast. Everything is right there around you. They need (and are building) more hotels in that district. As a matter of fact it's becoming so well known I just sold some stock photography to National Geographic Explorer for a story on it. In 2003 it was nothing but a warehouse district. http://www.thebradyartsdistrict.com/map/ Shane

Those are called historic districts... Sounds like you really figured Tulsa out in two days.... stay a little longer next time. Or head to South Tulsa, we call it North/North Dallas.... you may fit right in.

If you are drinking 3.2 beer, then you are buying cold beer in a grocery store. All bars serve full power beers and the liquor stores serve full power beer warm. The only thing you can't get is live culture beers that have to be refrigerated like Fat Tire.

What kind of place are you looking for? I can suggest a few. If you want something with some character and are downtown you can try James E. McNellie's Public House. A great two story Irish pub with decent cheap food. If you want something with a more complex menu, I would suggest Kilkenny's Pub on Cherry Street. A great Irish pub in the strictest sense with wonderful food (start with the baked brie with honey and then move on to bangers and mash or any of their boxtys.) If you are a group and want a table you'll want a reservation here. McNellies, just walk in. They also have a bar for smaller groups. If you are looking for long community tables with benches and great handmade local sausages and brats, check out Fassler Hall downtown. They (like all of these suggestions) have a massive selection of fine beers. Wear skinny jeans and ride your fixie around campus? Check out Soundpony downtown. It's where the bike crowd hangs out. Smoke free and some decent music on occasion. Want to hang out with the cool crowd and bowl while you drink? Check out the Dust Bowl bar downtown. They have three small lanes inside the bar. Child of the 80/90s and want to relive that time? Check out The MAX. 80s themed bar complete with a large selection of arcade games and Saved by the Bell reruns on the tv most of the time. Looking for a most complex experience? Try The Valkyrie in the Brady Dristrict. It's a classy upscale bar with a large selection of craft cocktails. Wherever you land make sure you try some beers from Marshall Brewery, Tulsa's best micro brewery is located just outside of downtown. Great beers. Almost everyone in town will have them. McNellie's will have the largest selection. OK, that's enough to get you started isn't it? If you are looking for the uptown Dallas meat market feel head to Brookside. I can't give you specific advice there.... not my scene. Shane

Although if you were in Yorktown... yes, they don't have driveways. Actually they do, they just share them, the neighborhood was built before the popularity of everyone owning cars. Also there used to be a good trolly system in Midtown during the early part of the 1900s.

Hmmmmm, mine's had one since 1936?

59... that's pushing 60... And yeah, we've been well below that lately. It warmed up significantly yesterday and this weekend.

Hey folks, just a note, the neighborhoods surrounding the stadium (IE mine) offer some good parking, but please watch for signs. There are really NO streets in the neighborhood that offer parking on both sides of the street during the football games. Our streets are old and narrow and they do ticket/tow cars parked illegally because of emergency vehicle traffic. Also, don't be a douchebag and block my driveway. [/crankyoff] Welcome to Tulsa!! Hope you all have a good time. The weather's going to be a little warm, but it should be a great day for a game. Thanks, Shane

Have them sent to me I'll leave them on the porch. We are two blocks from the stadium.

I never heard the crowd once from my house. Also, I know attedence was way down because no one blocked my truck into my drive tonight. I live just two blocks from the stadium and there was no on parked on our street. That's rare.

Allow me to play tour guide for a minute. First, I was in the TU athletic department offices today and I got some pretty dirty looks before I realized I had on a NT cap! HA! Anyhow I removed the cap (they are a client after all) and headed back to my client's office. He was saying that they really hope we travel well and I assured them we will bring a decent crowd given the proximity to DFW and the weight of this final game of the season. OK...... tour guide section. Let me start by saying there are two very divided sections of Tulsa. There is Midtown/Downtown and South Tulsa. There are lots of chain restaurants and hotels in South Tulsa. If that appeals to you..... stay home and watch the game from a damn Hooters/Chilis/Buffalo Wild Wings in Plano/Carrollton/Frisco. HA! No really though, if you want to experience Tulsa, stay and drink and eat in Downtown or Midtown (although hotels are more available downtown) There are a lot of great places to stay downtown, let me give you some information from a local. Here are some of our favorites. Mayo Hotel This is a beautiful historic hotel in the heart of downtown. It was restored about 5 years ago (it cost a fortune for the owners) and is the hotel that all the big stars stay at who play the BOK Center. It's not cheap, but if you're bringing someone to impress... this is a great hotel. http://www.themayohotel.com/ Ambassador Hotel This is the sister hotel to the Mayo, it's just outside downtown and a beautiful hotel in a quiet part of town near some great dining and what some believe to be the best coffee anywhere at DoubleShot. Read the reviews before you go to have coffee there. If you like cream and sugar and Starbucks.... choose another place. Again, the Ambassador can be spendy. Marriott Courtyard If you love historic downtowns and specifically Art Deco architecture, this is your place. In the heart of Tulsa's Deco District (huge collection of beautiful Art Deco skyscrapers) this hotel is only a few years old. It was opened in part of the old Atlas Life Building. There is a great fine Italian restaurant near here and it's not far from the Brady District and other downtown attractions. Walking distance for most. The buildings are truly amazing though, if you dig that kind of thing you will love Tulsa. Also, if you like fine men's gifts that are American made, check out my friends shop in this district called Bison and Bear. Lot's of cool stuff, tons of it made here in Tulsa. www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/tultd-courtyard-tulsa-downtown/‎ https://www.facebook.com/pages/Bison-Bear/304785372892339 Aloft Downtown This is a brand spanking new hotel that was built in the old Tulsa City Hall (they completely gutted it and started over) and it's really cool if you like Aloft hotels (uber modern design and not terribly expensive). It was placed to serve those who are attending shows at BOK Arena and the Convention Center, but it's an easy walk to the Brady and Deco Districts and a nice cab ride to the Blue Dome. They just put a ton of money in this place, done by the same folks that did the Mayo Hotel renovation. http://www.starwoodhotels.com/alofthotels/property/overview/index.html?propertyID=3736 Hyatt A nice hotel that's close to the Brady District and Blue Dome. It's not in the middle of everything, but does have great views of the Williams/BOK Tower (a half scale version of the World Trade Center towers, designed by the same architect and built shortly after the WTC) DoubleTree The DoubleTree is a nice place, but is far from the entertainment districts in downtown. They have a great government rate if you happen to suck on the teat of the taxpayer (my father does), but plan to cab it to restaurants and entertainment downtown. http://doubletree3.hilton.com/en/hotels/oklahoma/doubletree-by-hilton-hotel-tulsa-downtown-TULSDDT/index.html Holiday Inn City Center This is a really nice hotel with a great restaurant, it's not as far from entertainment as the Double Tree, but it's not as close as most of the others. http://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/tulsa/tulms/hoteldetail?qAdlt=1&qChld=0&qRms=1&qPSt=0&qSmP=3&qWch=0&qSHp=1&qBrs=6c.hi.ex.rs.ic.cp.in.sb.cw.cv&qSrt=BRAND_SORT&qRpp=25&qRRSrt=rt&qFRA=1&srb_u=1&cm_mmc=mdpr-_-GoogleMaps-_-hi-_-tulms Fairfield Inn Brady District If you want to party/dine/shop and just hang out in the very cool Brady Arts District, this is the place to stay. It's brand new, cheap (if you can get a room) and smack in the middle of the Brady. The best steakhouse in town (and most formal/expensive) is in this hotel's building. It's called Pryme. http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/tuldt-fairfield-inn-and-suites-tulsa-downtown/ Savoy This is a funky little luxury hotel with very few rooms in a very quiet little part of town (but with restaurants and bars in walking distance. I haven't stayed here, but have been inside and it's very nice. It's just to the east (towards TU) of downtown. Again... if you are bringing someone to impress... this is a great place. https://www.facebook.com/pages/Hotel-Savoy/114281871929892 Campbell Hotel OK, this is a really cool little hotel across the street from TU, but if you want a room, book NOW, it's not a big place and sells fast. It has a neat little bar, a great restaurant and you can be at the stadium in 5 or less walking minutes. The rooms are all different and were designed by local designers during one of the showcase events they have here in Tulsa. We walk here most weekends to eat brunch. It's a quick cab ride or drive back downtown to hit the districts. Desert Hills Motel Long for the yesteryear of Route 66? Love neon? Plan on driving your classic car up? Not scared by the occasional appearance of a hooker? Looking for an affordable room? This is your place. A real 1953 motor court on historic Route 66 that is kept in pretty decent shape and is not far (not walking distance) from the TU campus. It's in a not great part of town, but lots of Route 66 tourists stay here every summer. A neat place if that's what you are looking for. http://www.deserthillstulsa.com/ OK, let's talk food.... please, please, please, please don't eat chain food while you are here in Tulsa. Tulsa LOVES it's local restaurants and they are fantastic. Better than anywhere I have lived. There are far too many places to list them all, but UrbanSpoon is a great guide in this city. Below are a couple of my favorites. Maxxwells This is the restaurant at the Campbell Hotel. Very affordable, very good. Close to campus. Dinner is great, brunch is better. Burn Co. BBQ This is real BBQ. As real as anywhere in the city. Two cool young guys run it, it's currently located across the street from the stadium, but will likely move to 18th and Boston before the game. Lunch only, show up early, they sell out by 1pm-2pm most days. Game days will be earlier. The Tavern A great place in the Brady Arts District for a nice causal or even semi dressy meal. Mid-range on price, high on service and quality. If you have a group and want a cool experience, book the chef's table (nothing fancy, it's literally a table in the kitchen) This place has great drinks and even better food. Tacos Don Fransico Great little taco stand near the campus. A dive (they just translated the menu into English a couple years ago) but it's open late and is great for cheap late night (3am) eats. The entire Blue Dome District Really great restaurants with neat themes from local developers. The Dilly Deli has the best casual Sunday Brunch in downtown without a doubt. El Guapo has OK food, but a great rooftop with good drinks and a stellar view of downtown (may be closed by then do to cold weather). McNellies is a real Irish pub with great food and a huge HUGE beer selection. There are so many great places to eat. Check out as many as you can while you are here. Need something specific? Shoot me a PM or post here. There are lots of great bars here, but after a couple trips to New Orleans with Stebo.... I no longer partake in large quantities. There are neat little bars tucked all over town. One I really like is https://www.facebook.com/valkyrietulsa they are a little snotty about drinks, but if you like a cocktail, this is a great place. Also, Ed's Hurricane Lounge (across from TU) is NOT a friendly neighborhood sports bar..... it's a pretty hard core old bike bar. The only guy I ever knew who went there regularly was a real honest to God Bandido. They do have a sign stating you can't wear your colors... so I guess that's friendly? They also have an amateur lingerie night. I am sure that's REAL friendly. The bar at the Campbell Hotel is pretty cool and close to campus. If you are a "want to be seen" kinda guy, the bars on Brookside will get you seen by lots of other people that want to be seen. For a more relaxed neighborhood bar district check out Cherry Street. And of course the Brady and Blue Dome districts downtown are hopping. Stop in The Dust Bowl and you can have a drink and bowl a round. Too much and yet not enough at the same time. It's a great city. Great enough I will probably never come back to Texas. It's the perfect size and we have everything you could need without all the traffic. See you here! Shane

Thanks for that Greek. Well put.

This actually doesn't mean that USA Today was there. It's a confusing thing, but USA Today bought US Presswire and changed the name to USA Today Sports. Don't get me started on it's effects on pro sports shooters, but it's more or less guys shooting on spec. Meaning they get paid very little to shoot the game but retain some share of the rights when the photos are sold to non-member publications. Member publications yield no pay for the shooter. You can search their archive here: http://www.usatodaysportsimages.com/features/ Back to Mean Green. I like Sherrington, have since he advised a college newspaper I worked for... ok a long while back. Shane

Smart kid... good interview. Will be interesting to hear if they get some talk time in the AM