In my imagination, I have a special item called "My Magic Pass." This pass has the power to grant me access to extraordinary adventures, magical places, and unforgettable experiences. With this pass, I am able to transport myself to various realms and dimensions, opening doors to unimaginable wonders. When I hold the pass in my hands, I can feel its energy pulsating through my body. It's like a key to a hidden world that only a few lucky souls get to explore. As I close my eyes and whisper the secret incantation, the pass starts to glow and hum, signaling that it's ready to transport me to another realm.
Meet James “Blind Jim” Ivy
“Blind Jim” Ivy in front of the Lyceum at UM in this undated photo.
While James Meredith will always be the first African-American to attend The University of Mississippi as as a student, there was another man whose presence and influence on campus long preceded him.
His name was James Ivy, but he was best known by his nickname, “Blind Jim”. For 60 years, he was a peanut vender on campus, an unofficial mascot for the school and self-appointed “Dean of Freshmen.” Blinded as a teenager while working with tar on the Tallahatchie Bridge, Ivy was known for his humorous saying: “I’ve never seen the rebels lose a game.”
Ivy came to Oxford-Lafayette County with his mother in early childhood. His mother, Matilda, was one of the eight ex-slave women who formed the nucleus of the first Colored Baptist Church (now Second Baptist) in 1869. A member and ordained to preach, he would always lead the opening of the worship on Sunday services by singing ‘Let Heaven’s Light Shine on Me.’ In a whirlwind courtship, he married Blind Rosa Sanders and lived across the street from the church he loved.
“Blind Jim” became a part of the University of Mississippi in 1896. It is said that while boiling peanuts at one of the athletic events he loudly cheered ‘Hey! We’re gonna beat ’em.’ After that event, the students honored him as mascot of the football team and also honored him as dean of the freshmen class.
“Blind Jim” Ivy was thought of as being ‘the grace of the Ole Miss campus’ for 69 years before his death in 1955. His funeral services were attended at Second Baptist Church, the church which he supported spiritually and financially.
A tall, distinguished man dressed impeccably in a black suit and white shirt, Ivy used a cane and wore a wide-brimmed hat. It is speculated that the figure of “Colonel Reb” is based on Ivy. “Blind Jim” was known for his loyalty to the football, basketball and baseball teams. His optimism, perseverance and humor endeared him to many people.
For a rare glimpse of “Blind Jim” Ivy at an Ole Miss football game in 1947, click this link.
LEAKED: Image of Ole Miss’ new landshark mascot
Ole Miss has had their fair share of mascot uncertainly over the past few years. They retired the problematic Colonel Reb mascot in 2003, finally replacing him with Rebel Black Bear in 2010. Then last fall, the mascot was again changed, this time to a Landshark. For more on this history, watch this snazzy video from our friends over at Red Cup Rebellion.
Your browser does not support HTML5 video.The move to the landshark will culminate at the annual “Meet the Rebels” day this weekend, where the official on-field landshark mascot is expected to be unveiled. Good Bull Hunting has scoured our sources, and we are pleased to bring you this exclusive early look at Laynce the Landshark.
The landshark moniker at Ole Miss goes back as far as 2008, with the Rebel defense adopting the name. It gained even more traction in recent years with players and fans alike donning the fin handsign on their foreheads.
“With Laynce (prononced ‘Lance’), Ole Miss sought to create a mascot that represents the modern Ole Miss student, “ said the ghost of William Faulkner in a prepared statement. “With his knit button-down, chubbies, deck shoes and red solo cup, Laynce is equally suited to networking in The Grove and cheering on the Rebels on the field at Vaught Hemingway Stadium. We are excited for the upcoming season and the positive impact Laynce will have on all fans of Ole Miss football.”
Laynce’s look was developed by a multidisciplinary panel over the course of the past nine months. The panel experience a period of upheaval following the departure of coach Hugh Freeze, and would eventually end up being chaired by chart-topping pop singer and noted Ole Miss mascot enthusiast Katy Perry.
Perry didn’t have to go far to find inspiration for the new Landshark mascot, drawing heavily from her 2015 Super Bowl halftime co-stars. While Left Shark is the celebrity of the two, Ole Miss officials ultimately decided to use Right Shark, as he seemed to better align with the fanbases political leanings.
(obligatory disclaimer that this isn’t real, knowing full well that nobody who believed it read past the headline anyway)
Ole Miss Picks A New Mascot: Rebel Black Bear, Rebel Land Shark, Or Hotty Toddy
A few months ago, NPR reported the University of Mississippi -- Ole Miss -- was almost done with its seven-year search for a new mascot, a replacement for Colonel Rebel.
NPR's Mark Memmott, whose son "was a huge Star Wars fan as a kid," enamored of Admiral "It's a trap!" Ackbar, was happy that a handful of students were in favor of picking the fish-like Mon Calamarian -- who, incidentally, was a rebel commander in his own right.
He even created an unscientific poll. So far, 5,075 readers (roughly 94 percent) said they would vote in favor of making Admiral Akbar the new Ole Miss mascot. For comparison, 330 said they wouldn't.
Well, the real vote has commenced in Oxford, Mississippi, and, alas, Mark is ineligible. According to the USA Today, "you can't vote if you're not a student, part of the faculty, an alumni or a season ticketholder." (If you are eligible, you can vote here.)
There are three finalists, Ty New, the co-chair of the Ole Miss Mascot Selection Committee, told NPR's Mary Louise Kelly: The Rebel Black Bear, The Rebel Landshark, and Hotty Toddy.
According to New, The Rebel Black Bear was inspired by famous Oxford resident William Faulkner's Old Ben, from "The Bear," a short story in Go Down, Moses; and President Theodore Roosevelt's 1902 hunting trip to Mississippi, where he refused to shoot a bear.
The Rebel Landshark? New called it "the most organic from Ole Miss." It's a nickname for the school football team's defense, started by the late linebacker Tony Fein.
If you're an Ole Miss grad, Hotty Toddy needs no explanation, apparently. It's a salutation among students and alumni.
"If you see somebody in an airport that has an Ole Miss shirt on, you just say, 'Hotty Toddy,' and that means, 'I'm from Ole Miss too,'" New said.
The search for a new mascot was brought about by complaints that the Ole Miss Rebel mascot was anachronistic and, to some, offensive. According to New, students and teams at the University of Mississippi are "always going to be the Ole Miss Rebels."
Here's how he explained that to Kelly:
As I close my eyes and whisper the secret incantation, the pass starts to glow and hum, signaling that it's ready to transport me to another realm. With each use of the pass, I find myself in a different enchanting location. Sometimes, I'm whisked away to a majestic underwater kingdom, where I can swim alongside colorful fish and play with playful dolphins.
Other times, I find myself in a mystical forest, where talking animals guide me through secret paths and reveal ancient secrets. One of my favorite adventures with my pass was when I traveled to a mythical city in the clouds. As I stepped onto the fluffy cotton candy-like ground, I could see the breathtaking view of the entire land below. The air was filled with a sweet aroma, and magical creatures of all shapes and sizes were flying freely around me. It was a sight that will forever be etched in my memory. In addition to visiting extraordinary places, the pass also allows me to meet magical beings and learn from their wisdom. I have encountered wise wizards who shared their powerful spells and potions, fairies who taught me the language of nature, and mythical creatures who showed me the true meaning of bravery and compassion. However, my magic pass is not just about extravagant adventures and fantastical encounters. It also reminds me of the importance of cherishing the ordinary moments in life. With the pass, I have the ability to freeze time and capture precious memories. Whether it's a cozy family dinner, a laughter-filled gathering with friends, or a serene moment in nature, the pass allows me to preserve those special moments forever. In my imagination, "My Magic Pass" is a symbol of unlimited possibilities and the power of imagination. It reminds me to embrace the wonders of the world, both seen and unseen. With every adventure and encounter, it fuels my curiosity and reminds me to always believe in the magic that exists in the world around us. So, as I hold "My Magic Pass" in my hands, I am filled with anticipation and excitement for the next grand adventure that awaits me. Because with this pass, I know that the possibilities are endless, and the magic will never fade..
Reviews for "The Magic is in Your Hands: Making Memories with My Magic Pass"
1. John - 1/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "My Magic Pass". The magic tricks shown were incredibly basic and not at all impressive. I could easily find better quality magic tutorials online for free. The production value of the DVD was also quite low, with poor camera angles and sound quality. Overall, I felt like I wasted my money on this product and would not recommend it to anyone looking to learn magic tricks.
2. Emily - 2/5 stars - "My Magic Pass" was just okay for me. While there were a few interesting tricks demonstrated, I found that most of them were either outdated or simply not very impressive. The explanations provided were also unclear and not detailed enough for a beginner like myself to fully understand. Additionally, the overall presentation felt unprofessional and rushed. I believe there are better magic tutorial options available that provide more value for money.
3. Alex - 2/5 stars - I was quite disappointed with "My Magic Pass". The tricks shown were not as mind-blowing or innovative as advertised. Furthermore, the explanations provided were confusing and difficult to follow. The DVD also lacked organization, making it difficult to navigate between different tricks. Overall, I believe there are much better resources out there for learning magic, and "My Magic Pass" fell short of my expectations.
4. Sarah - 1/5 stars - I found "My Magic Pass" to be a waste of time and money. The tricks demonstrated were very basic and seemed outdated. It felt like the creators were just trying to fill up the DVD with random tricks rather than focusing on quality and teaching effective techniques. The lack of clear explanations and step-by-step guidance made it difficult to learn anything substantial from this product. I would not recommend "My Magic Pass" to anyone serious about learning magic.