I looked up the definition of "Mojo" and could not find one. To me it means a magic aura. It defies definition but it accounts for strange things happening.
Grasshopper No.4 has had some great mojo in the past. Everytime he attends a UW Badger football game, he seems to luck out by seeing a memorable game or experience a special moment. Of course he begs to get games with powerhouses Michigan, Ohio State or Penn State.
This year he whined until he got tickets for the Ohio State game. The script was to be played out with Ohio State coming to Madison for a night game on national TV. Ohio State was voted to make the BCS series for the top 8 teams in the nation in pre-season polls. Wisconsin was rated well also. The script said that this could be a titanic struggle between two "unbeatens". Grasshopper No.4 was in position to pull off another special moment.
It was special alright. Ohio State started the season by losing it's first game to USC and dropping to No.14 in the polls. Not a bad rating, but not No.1 or No.2. Wisconsin started the Big 10 season by going to Michigan and losing (they blew a 19-0 halftime lead). So Saturday night both teams had one loss. Needless to say it was not as exciting as originally anticpated.
Then it happened. Some "goof-offs" in the UW Marching Band got caught in some sexual misconduct or hazing or something. The whole Band was suspended from performing until further notice. For the first time in 40 years, the Band would not be in attendance. So they cranked up the stadium sound system to compensate. It wasn't the same. Grasshopper No.4 and Jenny saw something different all right. No Band.
The game unfolded with Ohio State driving for a touchdown with less than 2 minutes remaining and eventually winning 20-17. There were no late game fumble recoveries by the Badgers or interceptions or long runs. Ohio State won as expected and Wisconsin now has two losses in the Big 10. Grasshopper No.4 got to experience the first Badger home loss in 3 years.
So I think that Grasshopper No.4 out-foxed himself. The conditions were right but this year he was missing the good mojo of past years.
Now I have a dilemma. If by inviting Grasshopper No.4 to a UW football game, I have to endure the same bullsh-- mojo as this year, I'll may have to rethink the invite.
Love,
Dad