Some classics, like KU football stadium and Target, are fine as is

I just had one of those uh-oh moments and it didn’t feel good. So do you remember how last month I railed on about how Kansas City needs a new airport and I threw some serious shade at people who are against it solely because they’re not fond of change and like everything just the way it is?

Well, um, that was my immediate thought after KU announced plans for a $330 million “massive project” to upgrade their football stadium.

Why, oh why, would KU want to mess with Memorial Stadium in Lawrence? I love it. Sure, it’s about the same size as decent high school football stadium in Texas, but that’s what makes it awesome.

As a Lone Star girl I have grown to abhor humongous football complexes. There’s the parking anguish which leads to an angry five mile hike to your seat and then the almost industrial feel of the stadium where all the hometown flavor has been discarded in exchange for corporate sponsorships.

Have you been to Memorial Stadium to watch a football game? It’s awesome. It’s all so very Mayberry. It’s like Aunt Bea is hosting a very large, sometimes raucous, church social. Last November, when KU beat UT, the one thing almost as sweet as that victory were the homemade candy apples being sold by a darling Brownie Troop.

These candy apples were the stuff of dreams. Imagine crunchy Granny Smith apples covered in caramel with an abundant overlay of chocolate then showered in nuts and sprinkles. They were so amazing I had two. I wanted a third, but was embarrassed to go back again and no family member would do the deed for me (jerks).

I fear that a $300 million stadium will mean so long to candy apples, short strolls to your seat and super affordable tickets. Really what’s not to like about your football tickets being cheaper than your popcorn and two drinks?

But I totally get it. Collegiate football programs endorse the bigger is better theme. The prevailing wisdom is that super-sized stadiums and amenities are de rigueur to lure the best players (because a free education apparently doesn’t mean that much) and stay competitive.

I’d like to think that last statement shows how I’m not a change-o-phobic, but in reality I think I am because I’m still seriously ticked off about my favorite Target’s recent remodel.

I’m not ashamed to admit that I’ve been in a deeply committed relationship with Target for almost three decades. I not only love Target, but at times it has been my salvation. There’s nothing like grabbing an icy Diet Coke and just strolling the aisles. I’m almost certain it increases my endorphins.

That is until a couple of months ago when Target started a huge “refresh” of their store and changed everything around. Now, when I go in it’s like a mean-spirited game of hide and seek. Nothing is where it should be and they keep on moving stuff. Not even their employees know where the Meyers Lemon Verbena dish soap is. I left two weeks ago a little weepy. It was like I had lost a friend.

But never fear, I will bounce back. I will give my beloved Target another chance to redeem itself and I will readjust my attitude in regard to the impending colossal KU football stadium.

I will do all I can to embrace a future of autumnal Saturday afternoons that will not feature a hassle free football experience and most likely will be without candy apples made by a Girl Scout troop.

So long Mayberry.

This story was originally published July 11, 2017 at 5:54 PM with the headline "Some classics, like KU football stadium and Target, are fine as is."