Blame it on the pigs....

Well, don't blame it on the Hogg's haha! :) This swine flu madness has affected me! No, don't worry, it hasn't infected me yet! Since there are a some school districts closing after swine flu outbreaks, the UIL was told be TEA and the TX Dept. of Health to suspend all activities for two weeks!! So, until May 11, there will be no academic competitions, music concerts, drama productions, track meets, baseball or softball games or anything else UIL-related. Since the release of our news yesterday, we have been FLOODED with calls, emails and even faxes like never before!! I think the real champions at our office are our receptionists. They've had to hear people cuss them out, complain, gripe and moan over the cancellation of the regional track meets. Apparently, this is a sensitive subject in the schools of Texas right now. I think we've heard from every parent, administrator and coach of any kid in Texas in the past 24 hours, but good news- today is better!! :) And, in case you're wondering, there is talk of rescheduling the regional track meets to a later weekend in May and therefore rescheduling the state track meet to the first weekend in June! Stay tuned to the UIL website for more info.

In my personal opinion, this swine flu thing is way WAY over-done! Over 65,000 people die each year of the common flu, and since this strand of the flu doesn't pack any more punches than the regular flu, it's nothing to worry about if you have a doctor, clean water and a good bed! The media is totally blowing this out of proportion, and although it's easy to get carried away with fears and worries about a pandemic, we have to stay calm! Yesterday, I was at Target, and the lady at the customer service desk told me that she was inundated with calls about hand sanitizers. Sadly, Target and all other stores in this area are pretty much sold out of hand sanitizers, tamiflu, other flu meds and surgical masks!! Wow!

I get all of the athletic-server emails that come into the UIL, and we have had over 500 emails in the last 24 hours!! After reveiwing the emails and answering phone calls, these are the funny stories and questions I've heard...

Q- Will we still have our prom?
A- The UIL does not govern intra-school functions like proms, SAT tests, graduations or other gatherings. This is a local call from the school district. :)

Q- We are supposed to go on a field trip to the Frito Lay plant on Friday. Will we still get to go?
A- I don't know.. The UIL does not govern field trips! :)

Q- We are supposed to attend a technology conference this weekend. Is the conference postponed?
A- I don't know, we don't host any such event, so you'd have to check with the event coordinators about that.... :)

Statement- I need to talk to a director immediately!
Answer- Well, sir, all of our directors are currently on their phones. Would you like to leave a voicemail? I cannot guarantee that they will return your call today since they are pretty busy with the current situation.
Statement- Well, you can give them this message---- THIS IS CRAZY!! (yelling)
Answer- Okay, sir, is that all you needed?
Statement- yes, thank you (politely).
HAHA!

Statement- You should allow all seniors to run in the state track meet, since they have scholarships on the line.
Answer- so, even if they did not qualify for the meet or even place in their district, they should be able to compete at state because they are seniors? Track and field is not a common sport that offers full-ride scholarships. They are usually $500 per semester stipends, so it's not that big of a deal! Crazy Crazy!

Okay, you may not think that these are funny, but they are HILARIOUS to us!! I guess we just needed something to laugh about in this madness! :)