Thought I would watch the WNBA All Star game last night to see if it was anything. Boy, what a waste of time. Fortunately, ABC's feed went bad and saved me.

Audi is one of 14 college players to sign.

For many years I naively thought that I was unique when I got a tingly, relaxed feeling when I heard certain noises like someone eating popcorn or the sound of a spoon on a bowl while someone was eating something out of one or to whispering or other random triggering sounds. Then a few years ago I found out this is a very real human thing called Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response. Makes sense that I am not the only one in a world of billions who experiences this. Sometimes to go to sleep I play a YouTube video of a woman reading a cookbook in a whispered voice. For me it is more relaxing than anything on the "Calm" App.

Chris Williams and Brent Blum react to President Trump’s executive order that could change the NIL landscape. What does it mean for Iowa State? Ranking the Cyclones’ road games and more. Presented by Mechdyne.

We are 38 days away until Iowa State kicks off the season against Kansas State in Ireland. To keep getting you prepared for the season, we will continue with out position previews every weekday through July 25. Next up is a group with a blend of experience and unknowns; the wide receivers.

One thread to share Coach Otz’s recruiting interest, visits, and offers to the 2027 Cyclone Class.

Login to view embedded media

Wondered if any of you have heard of the Adaptive Open? It’s a golf tournament for individuals with various disabilities. It was at Woodmont CC in Rockville, MD this year. My son is the Director of Golf Courses and Grounds so I went out and volunteered for the 3 day event. Some incredible golfers! The winning score was -24 by a golfer with cerebral palsy. Shot a 61-64-65! If interested look it up on USGA.org.

The Las Vegas NBA Summer League tips off today with six former Cyclones on rosters. Here's an Iowa State fan's guide to the Summer League.

On a bonus Friday show, Jake Brend shares his coverage of Kooper Ebel and Beau Goodwin‘s youth football camp at both of their respective Alma Maters. Brend also interviews the man who spent $5,000 on a game-worn Iowa State helmet at the We Will Collective fundraiser in Okoboji.

It may be easiest to explain this one by example.

I have a few different core groups of friends - a few from school, several mom friends, some couple friends and individual relationships that are offshoots, and work/volunteer friends. I think most likely mom friends and couple friends/combinations are my closest.

When you think of your closest core group of friends, are they the same people with whom you went to grade school? Are they friends from a club? Work? How has this changed over time?

anybody ever done something like this? I have an old fixer upper I constantly work on. the exterior stair rail is steel with 1/8" diamond plate treads. clearly haven't been resealed in 40+ years. I pressure washed the entire thing, and 95% of the primer remained intact and probably 50% of the paint. The treads at some point has some sort of rubberized coating that pealed off with the pressure washer.

These things were built poorly and are in kind of rough shape to to how it was constructed. I will have to go over a small amount of rust and existing paint/primer/rubberized coating (still remains in nooks.

Thoughts? heavy duty exterior paint?
truck bed liner?

Randomly thinking of the Crash Davis "I believe" speech in Bull Durham here are my beliefs on superficial stuff. I believe in top shelf bourbon, Maduro cigars, stouts of no less than 10% ABV, steaks done no more than medium rare to light medium, dungeness crab is way better than blue crab, leaving no less than a 20% tip at a restaurant ever and no one will ever be as happy to see you come home at the end of the day as a dog will.

With all that's going on with insurance in Iowa, I thought there might be an expert in here, or people with real world knowledge on the subject.

Just got an email from State Farm that: "The insurance industry in Iowa has seen 100 companies leave the state. State Farm will be having significant rate increases, please call to schedule an appointment with us to go over the rate increases"

I already feel like I pay way too much for State Farm and this may push me to look other places. Who does everyone use for home, auto, and life? Recommendations?

Coach Otz and staff lock in their classes early so it is time to start the 2026 thread.

Catch all tread for interests, offers, visits, and prospect list for Cyclone Otz-Ball 2026.

Im sure a $1M paycut would make me humble......

I think Gundy will be judged by his actions and not the balance in his checking account. What was OSU thinking this would solve?

The Pokey Stix thread got me thinking about all the places I miss in Ames that have closed. What are yours?

Off the top of my head:

Gumby's: Pokey Stix and Pepperoni rolls
HomeTeam Pizza: Dirt cheap drunk food, 3 mediums for $10. Plus they had a cheesy commercial shot at Sterling.
Angies: Didn't seem to last long but that was a great after bar spot, always packed, good breakfast.
La Fuente: Margarita Challenge! Solid mexican food, although El Azteca topped it when they came to town.
The Truck Stop: Great food just a little out of the way. Cyclone Slam ftw
Battles: The original location, went downhill a bit once they moved to Welch and owner died.

Elwood Drive: Screw University Boulevard.

Australian Open Draws:

Check out this article from Des Moines Register:

Iowa State women's basketball coach Bill Fennelly impressed by 3 newcomers already in Ames

Chris Williams sits down with Derek Hoodjer, the GM of Iowa State Football, to discuss what the last few off-seasons have been like from his chair. The two look ahead to the 2025 Cyclone football team as fall camp will begin next week. Breaking down key position battles and more on the first episode of our summer series for 2025.

Hey Fellow Fanatics,

This is going to be pretty humbling for me to right this, but I think I gotta or else its only going to get worse. i have a serious problem on my hands. It is one that probably many of us face. We know it's a problem. We know that WE are doing it to ourselves. We feel guilt ever time we make the problem worse. But, we continue with our habits. In my case, it hadn't always been this way, but it is now.

I have got to face the facts. I'm fat. and only getting fatter.

A few months ago, I posted what order at five guys in its respective thread and stated how I spend $25 and don't even get full. I got a barrage of replies about how that's so much food and GIFs of fat bastard from the Austin Powers movies. I did take those as jokes, but I felt AWFUL because I did it to myself.

Well, I've gained 10 pounds since that post. I am now up to 270lbs. I entered college at 170, left 225. My back and knees always hurt. I have EMBARRASING stretch marks on my stomach. I get out of breath just walking up the stairs. My blood pressure is 160/90. None of my clothes fit (and I refuse to bigger clothes since I know it's because I'm gaining weight.

I need things to change or I'm going to die. If not, I'll be stricken with a life of painful knees and disdain for having to walk up stairs.

Therefore, I will begin my weight loss journey on November 1st with a goal of losing 50 pounds by April 1st. If I do not lose the weight, I will donate $400 to one of Cyclone Fanatics Charities. To make sure I'm not cheating, I will be positing my weight every Friday.

I'm writing this post so that I have accountability and to see if anyone else feels the same way and wants to join me.

B.T.W. Feel free to make fun of me for being fat. It will only motivate me.

Anybody else watching this live on the Discovery channel? They just launched the balloon and he is beginning his ascent to 23 miles. You can also watch live here: Red Bull Stratos - YouTube
Pretty crazy stuff! Going to be crazy seeing him break the sound barrier during free fall.

Looks like West O is introducing a new beer this fall benefiting the C&G collective called Blood Round! Can’t wait to try it!