Hook 'em Horns

Texas will win: It's the curse of the Heisman Trophy

It was the great sports philosopher, Yogi Berra, who quipped, “It’s déjà vu all over again.” Longhorn fans can surely relate as their team prepares to battle for the BCS Championship tonight.

If you will, indulge me for a moment, and let’s take a trip in Mr. Peabody’s Wayback Machine. You might be surprised by how many similarities we'll uncover between this Thursdays game and the 2006 Rose Bowl.

That year, the second-ranked Longhorns faced the top-ranked USC Trojans. The Trojans entered that game with a 34-game winning streak and were led by the recently crowned Heisman Trophy winner Reggie Bush. The Horns were led by local hero Vince Young (who came in second in the Heisman ballot) and sported their own 19-game winning streak. The game came down to the final seconds when Young ran to college football immortality and led the Horns to a dramatic 41-38 upset victory.

Now let’s fast forward to 2010. The Alabama Crimson Tide is the top-ranked team in the nation, sporting the recently crowned Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram. The second-ranked Horns are lead by quarterback sensation Colt McCoy, who was a runner-up for the award, leaving football fans to wonder if the curse of the Heisman Trophy will happen yet again.

Consider that since the year 2000, Heisman winners lost seven of the nine games they played in immediately after winning the trophy. That list includes the likes of Sam Bradford of Oklahoma, Tim Tebow of Florida, Troy Smith of Ohio State and Reggie Bush of USC. So what does that mean for Alabama’s Mark Ingram? Running backs don’t seem to fair much better, losing seven out of 11 games they played in since 1980.

So if you’re the kind of person who believes in signs and omens, bet the house on the Horns upsetting the Crimson Tide this Thursday night.

After all, who can argue with a curse?

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"Here come the grannies!"

Walk through the Magic Door to experience the world of Bluey in Houston

bluey and bingo's bedroom at camp in houston

Courtesy of CAMP

Houston will soon be the home of a new CAMP store, featuring interactive installations like the house from "Bluey."

Bluey is coming to the Galleria this February “for real life” through an immersive event that invites visitors to enter the world of the famous Australian Heeler family. This one-of-a-kind experience brings the Heeler home and backyard to life with intricate details that will delight fans of all ages.

Tickets are on sale now for Bluey x CAMP, the inaugural interactive experience of the combination toy store, party venue, and immersive theater space. This is The Family Experience Company’s first CAMP location in Houston, with the business securing a 7,500-square-foot permanent retail space in the Galleria.

Through “The Magic Door,” a pivoting wall, visitors step into seasonally rotating interactive spaces beginning with a 5,000-square-foot lifesize replica of Bluey’s house.

Visitors can play games made popular by the show, such as grannies and keepy uppy, and bust a move when “dance mode” is activated. The kitchen’s fridge is covered in drawings by the Heeler puppies, while the living room TV plays Bluey.

Families can explore both a pillow fort and a cardboard castle — two-story structures complete with slides — before venturing into a playroom stocked with toys and costumes from the show. In the backyard, a recreation of the Heeler’s large tree is surrounded by charming gnomes. A photo opportunity with Bluey and Bingo tops off the visit.

Beyond the world of Bluey, CAMP offers even more for visitors in its Canteen space, with a splatter room, The Schmutz Bar (a slime creation station), a party room, and a playable truck. Customers can also shop for toys, clothing, and accessories.

Houston joins a list of CAMP’s locations in Dallas, Atlanta, New York City, Philadelphia, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Washington, D.C. Installations change seasonally, with other current features including Paw Patrol, The Little Mermaid, and Encanto.

Courtesy of CAMP

Houston will soon be the home of a new CAMP store, featuring interactive installations like the house from "Bluey."

bluey galleria-houston camp bluey x camp