I wanted to go to Cal

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Re: I wanted to go to Cal

Post by NavyCrimson »

We need you 1331! Thanks for rooting for us!!!
BRING BACK THE GLORY DAYS OF SMU FOOTBALL!!!

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Re: I wanted to go to Cal

Post by leopold »

Interesting.

I was looking at Boston U. and got in but couldn't afford it. SMU gave me the financial aid to make it happen. Also LOVED Tulane (TULANE IS AWESOME) but my big sis went there and I thought I needed to get out on my own.

Thad, why'd your Dad say you'd get 'eaten alive' at Cal?
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Re: I wanted to go to Cal

Post by Boston Pony »

We live out in NorCal....daughter was recruited to play lax at Cal...you get 'eaten alive' because of the urban environment, the lack of support by the school and the academics. The lack of support by the school is based on a belief that you got in so you can handle all the life style issues by yourself: on campus housing is only for freshmen, off campus housing is difficult to get and expensive with no assistance from the school. Love Cal but it takes a specific type of person to go & succeed there.
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Re: I wanted to go to Cal

Post by ThadFilms »

leopold wrote:Thad, why'd your Dad say you'd get 'eaten alive' at Cal?


That's a bit of a personal question, actually. But I'll answer it... because, well, I don't like to hide my identity, hence choosing a handle that includes my name (you can also find me at many places online under the name ThadFilms). Anyway...

I am the third of three children, and I was "the happy accident". I am 9 and 10 years younger than my older brother and sis. Add to that that my folks had had a miscarriage 5 years before my birth and I was born with a facial deformity, I was perhaps, over-loved. If that can be said...

I was my parents favorite, and I was their best friend... I was, in a way, their little prince. Also I was an artist.

My dad saw how they had treated me and knew what I wanted to do with my life... he had gone to Cal after he had found himself. I felt that Jesuit allowed me to find myself, but he was right. He went to Cal a man grown. He had been a nerd, frankly probably still is... he saw, though, what temptations Berkeley offered to a different guy like me.

While my dad has always been my biggest fan, he knew that the likelihood was great that I would simply lose myself in drugs and the Berkeley culture. I think he was right. While there were plenty of drugs to be had at SMU (as with any University, don't get me wrong), the artist culture at SMU was small... and my fear kept me in check in terms of the Greek lifestyle at SMU. The Greek life did not appeal to me when I was at SMU, but if I had to do it over again, it might have been different. Really, with such a large % of greeks, it's stupid to go to SMU and not go Greek. Sigh.

Anyway, my Dad knew I would be intoxicated with the hippy artist types at Berkeley and he just did not think I would survive it... falling in with a crowd of like-minded people, but I didn't yet have the tools in place to still be myself.

He might have been wrong, who knows? But I am happy I went to SMU. I am happier now that SMU is well in my past, I didn't totally enjoy my time at SMU. But I enjoy going back there!!! (The early part of Excess, when we were making what became All Grit was the happiest time of my life.)

For the most part, I went to SMU because of SMU football and SMU theater* and the campus.... but I got there and the students didn't care about SMU football or SMU theater. I really didn't expect them to care much about SMU theater, but c'mon!!! This is college football in Texas!!! Go to the games!! Cheer like it means something!!! Too many stupid parties (says the guy not invited to most), and too little school spirit.

GO MUSTANGS!!!


* - while growing up SMU had one of the top 5 theater programs in the country... I used that to my benefit, bringing on some of the best young actors in the country on my early films.
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Re: I wanted to go to Cal

Post by ponyte »

My father and I went to talk to Dartmouth. We parked the car on the Commons (former pasture, now still a pasture just a different breed). I walked about 5 yards from the car and turned around and got back in the car. My dad got in and after a pregnant pause, asked why I didn't talk to the folks. I said I wasn't going there. He started in about it was Ivy League and all that and I said, "Dad, look around. Every girl here is b_tt ugly!"

He never mentioned d Dartmouth again.

Once again, hot babes saved me from a fate worse than death.
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Re: I wanted to go to Cal

Post by ThadFilms »

ponyte wrote:My father and I went to talk to Dartmouth. We parked the car on the Commons (former pasture, now still a pasture just a different breed). I walked about 5 yards from the car and turned around and got back in the car. My dad got in and after a pregnant pause, asked why I didn't talk to the folks. I said I wasn't going there. He started in about it was Ivy League and all that and I said, "Dad, look around. Every girl here is b_tt ugly!"

He never mentioned d Dartmouth again.

Once again, hot babes saved me from a fate worse than death.


Until the Death Penalty! Snap!!!

Yeah, hot girls... wish we could have used some of the great stuff many players talked about in their recruitment to SMU. Dickerson was the best, "ooh, and those girls??? Oh man."

In related news, my hotter then heck next door neighbor (yes, the girl next door) went to Dartmouth. She was their starting goalie in soccer and lead them to a NC2A women's soccer Sweet Sixteen berth (maybe made it to the Elite Eight... methinks she might have even gone to the Final Four... but I just don't recall).
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Re: I wanted to go to Cal

Post by ponyte »

"Oh, man!" is right!

Lord, forgive me now as I reminisce.
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Re: I wanted to go to Cal

Post by ThadFilms »

ponyte wrote:"Oh, man!" is right!

Lord, forgive me now as I reminisce.


No worries, we uninstalled all of the spycams that we had installed in yours and all of the former Mustang players after the movie came out.
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Re: I wanted to go to Cal

Post by smuaustin1971 »

My daughter went to Cal - she was on the swim team. Berkeley may not be for everyone, but it is a fabulous place for your college experience and to be a college athlete.
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Re: I wanted to go to Cal

Post by ThadFilms »

smuaustin1971 wrote:My daughter went to Cal - she was on the swim team. Berkeley may not be for everyone, but it is a fabulous place for your college experience and to be a college athlete.


I love Cal.
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Re: I wanted to go to Cal

Post by Arkpony »

I came to SMU because of Doak Walker..I used t listen to the SMU-NotreDame games and I was a Methodist, so this was the natural place for me.
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Re: I wanted to go to Cal

Post by Comet »

And oh those girls is right! My younger brother is applying to schools right now. When he asked me about SMU all I could say was, wow those girls, great place to be a young single dude (said the older and engaged guy).
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Re: I wanted to go to Cal

Post by ThadFilms »

Comet wrote:And oh those girls is right! My younger brother is applying to schools right now. When he asked me about SMU all I could say was, wow those girls, great place to be a young single dude (said the older and engaged guy).


My line on the SMU girls has been and will always be... "when I die, I want to go to SMU."
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Re: I wanted to go to Cal

Post by HB Pony Dad »

ThadFilms wrote:
Comet wrote:And oh those girls is right! My younger brother is applying to schools right now. When he asked me about SMU all I could say was, wow those girls, great place to be a young single dude (said the older and engaged guy).


My line on the SMU girls has been and will always be... "when I die, I want to go to SMU."


HB Pony Daughter would rather have gone to USC but the Ponies made her an offer she couldn't refuse...

and for you Thaadeus

SMU - IT'S YOUR TURN

FIRE JUNE JONES

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Re: I wanted to go to Cal

Post by Comet »

HB Pony Dad wrote:
ThadFilms wrote:
Comet wrote:And oh those girls is right! My younger brother is applying to schools right now. When he asked me about SMU all I could say was, wow those girls, great place to be a young single dude (said the older and engaged guy).


My line on the SMU girls has been and will always be... "when I die, I want to go to SMU."


HB Pony Daughter would rather have gone to USC but the Ponies made her an offer she couldn't refuse...

and for you Thaadeus


Just wondering, your name isn't Jack is it? I met a guy at Trinity Hall last night, he was an SMU fan (very knowledgeable) even though he didn't go there, but is even a bigger USC fan.
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