Since I'm moving to a new Plano residence in March, I did some extensive research on whether or not I should continue paying for cable TV or opt to rely on the much better antenna reception promised for network stations with the digital TV switch. There is some information I discovered that isn't readily available at news sites or dtv.gov.

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Even though I bleed OU’s crimson and cream, I was a spectator at the Texas Tech vs. Ole Miss Cotton Bowl Classic.

Historic Cotton Bowl games were shown on the big screen followed by the words “thanks for the memories, Cotton Bowl” from former bowl players and coaches. But this was the only noticeable sign that Dallas will no longer be home to this 73-year-old game. 

Fans weren’t picketing in protest against the move to Jones’ Arlington behemoth next year. In the Texas Tech section, at least, they were more concerned about the heckling “SEC” chants and those heart-wrenching two points added to the Ole Miss score in the fourth quarter that ended any hope for a comeback.

I honestly care less what happens to the Cowboys or any NFL team, for that matter. I do, however, care strongly about Dallas and deeply lament the decision to take the Cotton Bowl from Fair Park. The financial blow alone is enough to cry about.  

Will they serve my beloved foot-long corny dogs and kettle corn at the Arlington bowl? Or have a gondola running after the game?

I realize that as a Sooner, I still have the chance to attend games at the [Insert name here] Fair Park stadium. I wonder, though, how long that will last before good ‘ol Jerry talks OU and Texas into ending this 109-year-old tradition.

My college newspaper, The Oklahoma Daily, took a poll while I was still in school that found fans were pretty much 99.9 percent against moving the game from Fair Park. Of course, this was about moving the game to each university’s home turf and before the Arlington stadium was built.

Let’s just hope the fans and not some big, money-related deal have the last say.

Who knew winning a neighborsgo ball, pencil, cup or backpack could be so exciting? Or maybe it's simply the allure of spinning a wheel. Either way, I was amazed at how many people stood in long lines to get these prizes at the Plano Balloon Festival. Some people would come and stand in the back of the line, having no idea what we were giving away.

Don't get me wrong, I was plenty happy that the wheel became a way to bring people in to talk about our product.  But, I don't understand why winning a water bottle is so exciting. Some people would shout in exclamation, "That's exactly what I wanted!!" and skip off with glee.

Perhaps the thrill of adding yet another plastic cup to my collection is at a loss to me because I'm currently trying to get rid of half of my belongings.

A good friend of mine left Texas last week to serve in the Peace Corps for 27 months in Peru. Watching as she prepared to leave the many comforts of the USA to completely give of herself to a rural and remote area really puts my own community service, or lack-there-of, in perspective.

I go through periods where I get really pumped about looking for opportunities to serve. Sometimes, I follow through, like when I helped build a Habitat for Humanity house in East Plano. Other times, like now, I can't remember the last time that I decided I should start thinking less about me and more about others.

But, thanks to my friend's amazing example, I'm hoping to change. I'll try to keep the neighborsgo world updated on my pursuit in this forum and, perhaps, inspire you to serve in Dallas or beyond.

If you're a big philanthropist, let me know how you serve to help keep me motivated.

To feel like I'm accomplishing something during my commutes to work, I've decided to start listening to audio books. My next selection, thanks to the Dallas Public Library, is going to be Home: A Memoir of My Early Years by Julie Andrews. The author's calming, beautiful voice reads her story, an added bonus I couldn't get by personally reading the book.

Do you have any recommendations for other audio books I should listen to?

Why do I have such a difficult time parting with anything that has sentimental value? Last weekend was the first step in my own personal "Clean Sweep." I went through boxes, moved around furtniture, discovered things long forgotten under my bed and in my closet. Through this journey into the past I found things I've been holding onto from college all the way down to my preschool years.
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