Thursday, January 28, 2010

600 Racing changes its name

Speedway Motorsports, owners of 600 Racing, has changed the name of its Legends car unit to U.S. Legend Cars International. The change took place sometime late in 2009. Speed is now airing TV commercials with the U.S. Legend Cars name with 2009 Sprint Cup Rookie of the Year Joey Logano, as well as fellow Sprint Cup drivers Reed Sorenson and David Ragan.

Of course, Buddy Wayne Barefoot would be the most famous name of all from the Legends car program. He "raced" in similar cars overseas in the 1990s, and of course the big race at the end of The Buddy Wayne Chronicles was in an oversized version of the 600 Racing cars, scaled up to compete on a bigger, more banked racetrack.

For more information on U.S. Legend Cars International, visit http://www.uslegendcars.com.

Sunday, January 17, 2010

Changes to bracket, support for quake victims

As someone who lives in southern California, I respect the damage that earthquakes can do. But even knowing that, what happened in Haiti on Tuesday was beyond horrible. The death toll has been estimated at 50,000. In addition, the already-fragile infrastructure of the country is nearing collapse as rescue workers race against time.

This blog joins many others in supporting the efforts of the American Red Cross. There are three ways to do it:
*By phone at 1-800-733-2767
*Online at http://www.redcross.org
*Via text: "HAITI" to 90999 ($10 charge to cell phone account)


Speaking of Haiti, someone who would be familiar with the territory is a Louisiana boy named Beaulieu Barrilleaux. He is a pirate who makes Jack Sparrow look like a weakling, and his ways would be legendary all over the Gulf Coast and Caribbean. It would be easy for him to find some adventures in Port-au-Prince and other such towns.

Unfortunately, when I made the Tournament of Characters, I left him off the list of 32 contestants, and looking back that was a mistake. In fact, I am making several changes in the field from the one I composed this past summer.

Barrilleaux replaces Lulabettie Littlebridge in the 14th of the 16 first-round matches. That means he loses to Rumpelstiltskin Ritterblatt in round one. Littlebridge now loses to Althea McBiddlewhiskers in the same round, while Elizabeth Hildenbreath is no longer entered.

But the biggest change is that Melanie MacMelville now advances to round two over Bobby "Hootie" Pittman, who replaces Brett Bartlett. Pittman is the "real Hootie" of Hootie and the Blowfish, now a beach music band. Unfortunately, I didn't think of him when the original tourney was being conducted. MacMelville goes on to lose to Buddy Wayne Barefoot in the second round. Meanwhile, Bobbington Hogg, a winner in round one over Mudd Bunch Sidebottom, now loses to Brian Patrick Ryan McHooligan in round two.

Sunday, January 10, 2010

Annual calendar of events

Here is a rough listing of annual events and milestones of Idealian life. Dates in parentheses are in 2010 if necessary.

JANUARY
January 1: New Year's Day

FEBRUARY
Mid-February: African Life Festival
To coincide with Black History Month in the U.S., there are a number of special events including a "battle of the bands," a fraternity step show, and a gospel music concert.

MARCH
March 14: Buddy Wayne Barefoot's birthday
This is marked by music, storytelling, and other events.

March 21: Robin's Day
Named for the bird that is the symbol of the coming of spring, it is intended to celebrate the bounty of nature.

Last Sunday in March: Easter
This holiday is on a more standardized date than is celebrated in the real world, which can take place between March 21 and April 20.

MAY
Third Monday in May (May 19): Heroes' Day
This honors Barefoot, Ritterblatt, McHooligan, Bryant, and others who made it possible for Idealians to celebrate their lives.

JUNE
First two weekends: Film Festival
The latest movies from local filmmakers are all released at this event that simulates all the Hollywood buzz.

Fridays starting on or about June 21: Concerts in the Park
Bass-Timberlake Park hosts a series of concerts and readings. All the local favorites, such as Barefoot, Blondie, the Spears Family Band, and Hootie & the Blowfish, have performed in this series.

JULY
July 4: Heritage Cup
This is the race of vintage automobiles that was the site of the most unforgettable event of Buddy Wayne's life.

SEPTEMBER
Ten days from first Friday to second Sunday: Blue Ribbon Days
Bass-Timberlake stages a replica of an American country fair, including food contests, rides, and special shows.

OCTOBER
October 31: Death's Holiday
This event, commemorating the moment that Heaven was realized and when sickness and death was eradicated, substitutes for Halloween.

NOVEMBER
Fourth Thursday (Nov. 25): Thanksgiving

DECEMBER
December 25: Christmas Day