Some family, friends and co-workers are getting sick of hearing me talk about it. Instead (or in addition to), I’ll write about it, try to come up with a way to justify it being in this space and move on — for the time being.

It is Ball State University football, the magical 11-0 season (entering Tuesday night’s regular season finale at home against Western Michigan) and where its bowl destination might be. OK, I know it’s not the Golden Domers back in their glory days, the IU hoops (see back in glory days reference, although I believe they will return to prominence in a few years under Tom Crean) or Purdue’s Rube Goldberg contest dynasty, but give us Cardinal fans a break.

Even if the Cardinals go 13-0 (a conference championship game in Detroit awaits if, and only if, a Tuesday win is recorded), the BSU faithful are looking at a return to Detroit the day after Christmas (bowl games are supposed to be a reward, aren’t they), Toronto (nothing against the Canadians, but I’m not anticipating sunny weather up north on the third day of 2009) or Mobile (better, but no New Orleans, Phoenix or south Florida).

Ball State won’t be going to one of the grander destinations because that appears reserved for Utah or Boise State, which also fall in the non-Big Boy category of college football and its allotment of "only one of you gets to come to our season-ending party."

What’s the solution? Don’t know. What’s next? Hope for three more wins, 14-0, more publicity for the university and increased alumni donations (now there’s a business angle).

Or how about this justification: president-elect Barack Obama stirred the pot the night before the election by championing a college football playoff and repeating the wish in his recent "60 Minutes" interview. If the future world leader can take time to examine the college football postseason structure, why can’t I?

Go Cardinals!

Folks around downtown Indy gathered today to watch our beloved Hoosier/RCA Dome’s deflation. It’s enough to make one feel downright poetic, so here goes:

"Deflation: Ode to the Dome"

By M.L. Ottinger

Your big top falling
With the foreman’s calling,
We remember Blue fans bawling
And coaches calling suspect plays.

Then came down a twist of fate,
As the lovely Sunshine State
Beheld to us Tony the Great -
A cerebral, calm, and subdued gaze.

Quiet strength with Peyton’s arm,
A line to keep him safe from harm,
Two-minute drills without alarm,
Chicken soup for sad fans’ souls.

Suppressed by revolutioneers,
New England topped us several years;
Then one day came a thousand cheers.
We’d won us a Super Bowl!

For many decades musical tunes
Graced your walls as ballads boomed.
The Piano Man and Elton crooned,
“About her, she’s got a way.”

You fed our state’s beautiful addiction
To Final Fours, like benedictions.
Hoops inspire our soul’s conviction;
Free throws line our DNA.

As your roof drops to your floor,
Your brother watches right next door.
How long ago was ’84?
Those memories of fortune kissed.

Your cheers will cease to deplete,
Echoing down Capitol Street.
Beholding all your glory’s feats,
Goodbye, sweet dome, you will be missed.

Seven years after the tragic events that unfolded in New York City on Sept. 11, 2001, many across the nation have stopped to pay homage to those who lost their lives in the terrorist attacks. Chief among the demonstrations was the one that occurred today in Manhattan:

Among the speakers were three who were young children when their fathers went to work at the World Trade Center seven years ago and never came home. The children are now about 10, 11 and 13.

"I remember playing in the yard with him. I remember him pulling my wagon. He was strong. He always made me feel safe," said Alex Salamone, wearing the soccer jersey of his father, John. "I wish I could remember more, but we were so young when he died."

Locally, the United Way of Central Indiana and its seventh annual Community Fair used the tragedy to remind Hoosiers of the importance of volunteering.