This past weekend, I stayed in New York and my mom went on the road. Actually, I stayed in NY because my mom went on the road ... she flew up here for a visit. While we were watching the UF-Auburn game at a bar with some friends (and again later at the Giants-Eagles game), I got to thinking about sports rivalries.

New concept ... guest bloggers!

I'll begin with a link to my best friend Lisa's new wedding blog. Or, as I like to call it, Cinderella.com.

Next up, Lindsay's African adventure!

I flew into New Orleans Friday night for the Florida-LSU game and as soon as the plane’s wheels touched ground, it began to rain. It rained throughout my drive to Baton Rouge and for most of the night. I checked weather.com, and the forecast called for rain all weekend. I should have known better. It never rains in Tiger Stadium. And it didn’t.

Goooo Ducks! (Well, if the Gators aren’t gonna get it done, I have to go with the school I’m currently taking classes at. Okay, one class. Read on.)

I've spent the past five days at the University of Oregon. Being on a college campus makes me ache to go back to school. Everything is so easy. So protected. I wanted to roll down my car window and shout to every student I saw: “Seriously, enjoy it. The real world isn’t all that great. Take grad school! Postpone the inevitable!” Instead, I just asked for directions.

It was sure fun remembering what life was like as a college student. Today, I even impersonated one and went to class! Although while sitting in Billiards class (that’s no typo), I became all too aware that no matter how young I think I look, I do not look as young as the students who were sitting across from me. They looked 15! I sat there thinking, “How old do they think I look? 25? 30? Oh god, do they think I look 40?!” I really wanted to ask, but the teacher (a 21-year-old senior named Dominic) asked me “not to interrupt his lesson.” (He also insisted I read Playing off the Rail and, if I'm ever in the Bay area, look up a guy called Bucktooth.) Today’s lesson: how to scratch. On purpose. This class, I could ace!

I’m in Eugene to report a story on quarterback Dennis Dixon. He graduated in June (after only 3 ½ years), but had a year of eligibility remaining, so he came back for his senior season. And is taking one class for one credit. Billiards. Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11-12. So I went with him today. I think I even learned a thing or two!

About a week ago, I reported on ESPN.com that Travis Pastrana went down to Puerto Rico and jumped out of a plane at 12,500 feet ... without wearing a parachute. I wrote a straight news story—I didn't editorialize, didn't offer my take on the jump. I simply reported the facts.
In the days since posting that story, I've received several e-mails from people wanting to discuss the insanity of performing that stunt. The most common belief: Travis Pastrana has lost his mind. And if he keeps it up, he's not going to be around much longer. What a shame.

I however, have a different opinion.

For anyone who is a fan of horse racing—or people-watching (especially people-watching)—you must, at some point in your life, attend The Hunt, an annual steeplechase in Far Hills, New Jersey. Think Sig Ep woodser meets SEC football tailgate meets The Belmot Stakes.

If you want more information, just type "horses", "Ralph Lauren" and "mermaid belts" into your search engine.

I went yesterday with a few friends and had such a great time. Serious entertainment—and I'm not talking about the horse racing. Although that was pretty great, too.

For the next installment of My Guest Bloggers, my friend Rob Tringali, sports photographer extraordinaire, reports live from the ALCS. Since I don't cover baseball, I experience the playoffs the same way everyone else does: from a bar stool in New York's east (or west, depending on the night) village. But Rob experiences every game firsthand. So, just for fun, he shared his October adventures.

To read his day-by-day from Boston and Cleveland, click on the link below. Next up: Rob's World Series blog.

Originally, this weekend's blog was meant to be light and fluffy. I'd start with a few Halloween costume ideas I gathered at a Friday-night party, (my two friends were a bug and a bee; I was the Orkin girl; also: bee/bee keeper, Tom Coughlin/Eli Manning; Mario/Luigi; light socket/plug) and then recount my it'd-be-hard-to-recreate-this-again Sunday-night experience watching the Sox sweep the Series with my Red Sox friend Tori and Yankees friend Lindsay ... and a room full of ardent Yankees fans. We attended the annual Watch a World Series Game with Lindsay's Grandpa night at the Yogi Berra museum at Montclair State University.

But Sunday afternoon, I went to the Jets-Bills game. And then I got mad. So I ditched light and fluffy ...