It's been years since I did my normal pre-season things.
Starting back as far as Pat Dye, I would go to Anders in week 1, 2 or 3 at the latest and get "official" gear. When Dye was there, I got the official hat. When Bowden came, it switched to the slogan pins and the polos his assistants wore (still have them). With Tuberville I went full Russell - hat and polo. Then he switched to Underarmour and from that point on, through Chizik and now Malzahn, it was sideline gear. Underarmour polos. But I wouldn't buy them online and I won't buy them anywhere but in Auburn either at the bookstore or at Anders. I will NOT ever buy at Tigerrags because that place is cursed and jinxed when it comes ot AU gear and me.
Then I just sorta quit.
I haven't bought a new Auburn hat in three years or more. Honestly, I don't like the Underarmour ones as much as I used to (they don't fit well) and I can't bring myself to buy New Era or Zephyr because it's not "official." I didn't buy THE official sideline shirt last year or the year before. I did buy one of the stupid sweater vests after the '13 season was over, but that's played out now and I only wore the expensive damn thing twice.
Is it time to go back to doing something to mark each season? Is this my fault? Should I start with the new sideline polos even though I don't really care for the design this season?
Is it weird that I'm more drawn to these designs than anything?