A legend has passed, but we can all still appreciate what he brought us.

Welcome back to the Mailbag!

Here's a column that likely won't register with many of our younger readers, at least not right away, but stick around anyway because this one is short and we're handing out some free advice at the end. 

For many of us, Jimmy Buffett's passing this week was the loss of another legend. 

We grew up on Jimmy. His smooth sound and mellow vibes never failed to put us in a happy place. 

Jimmy was the one who, on one of those miserably hot Lubbock summer days, would kick on with a song about having a cold drink on a beach somewhere and you could almost feel the cool sea breeze. 

He brought moments of respite to a lot of people over the years, and he'll be missed. 

We learned from Jimmy Buffett as well. We learned about enjoying life and not taking it too seriously. We learned about a lovely little place called Margaritaville, and why you always keep a shaker of salt handy. And we learned that making decisions to enjoy life comes at the price of not blaming others for those decisions. 

For the record, that's what we learned from just ONE Jimmy Buffett song, and there are nuggets of wisdom in many, many others. 

Sadly, the biggest lesson we learned from Jimmy may have come from his passing. 

Four years after being diagnosed with a rare form of skin cancer called Merkel cell carcinoma, Buffett passed away last weekend. 

His passing is a reminder for those of us who love the sun, the beach and generally being outside as much as possible, that some precautions are needed. 

So, as we get ready to pack the Jones Saturday evening, and we head toward cooler temps and more outside activities, we're going to pass out the same advice we got from a popular graduation song in the late 1990s: “Always, wear your sunscreen.”

It's my firm belief that Jimmy is somewhere enjoying a cheeseburger in paradise. 

You deserve it, Jimmy. Rest in peace. 

More Mailbag

• Mailbag: Getting the Boot
  How many citations until you get a boot on your vehicle? Is there a campus nurse?
• Mailbag: Print the Legend
  Is Texas Tech the second-largest contiguous college campus in the country?
  
• Mailbag: Playing Chicken
  Exploring the world of campus crosswalks.
• Mailbag: Halloween Happenings
  How best to celebrate All Hallows Eve.
  
• Mailbag: Beyond Okay
  Mental health, and what Texas Tech is doing to help.
• Mailbag: Home for the Holidays
  Planning your holiday travels? We've got you covered.
• Mailbag: Thanksgiving Extravaganza!
  In which we answer two reader questions about Turkey Day.
• Mailbag: Giving Thanks
  The Mailbag stays in-house this week as we give thanks for the many blessings in our lives.
• Mailbag: Highly Recommended
  What to do when you need a letter of recommendation.
• Mailbag: Let the Commencements Commence
  Everything from parking at the ceremony to ideas about what to do afterward!
• Mailbag: A Horse's A**
  At issue is a certain horse's hindquarters, a college down south and if the two actually intersect.
• Mailbag: Checking In
  Parents with questions: where to see their student's grades and how to see TechAlerts.
• Mailbag: Celebrating Dr. King
  MLK Day offers much more than a reprieve from classes and work.
• Mailbag: Let's Get Judgy
  What are Texas Tech's world-class judging teams actually judging and how do they get judged themselves? We're here to find out.
• Mailbag: Happy Snow Day
  What a snow day looks like at Texas Tech.
• Mailbag: Evermore
  We look at Texas Tech's award-winning magazine.
• Mailbag: All About Love
  Valentine's Day is right around the corner, so we're sharing some Texas Tech love stories.
  
• Mailbag: The Hub for Success
  The Raider Success Hub is a new tool designed to help students succeed.
• Mailbag: The Hub for Success
  The Raider Success Hub is a new tool designed to help students succeed.
• Mailbag: All About Love Part II
  Two weeks back, we shared a couple of stories of Red Raiders in love. We liked it so much we're doing it again.
• Mailbag: Here with the Wind
  A little bit (maybe a whole lot) of West Texas coming at y'all.
• Mailbag: Spring Break Safety
  Make good choices.
• Mailbag: Service It Up 
  Take on the challenge and get those service hours counted.
• Mailbag: More to Come
  We hope you enjoyed our latest series, but we're just getting started.
• Mailbag: Was That Sky Water?
  Talking about a rainy day.
• Mailbag: Finish Strong
  We're looking at a fine way to close out your first year on campus.
• Mailbag: How and Why We Ranch Horse
  In case you were curious, we build champions around here.
• Mailbag: What's Not To Love?
  A column in which we discuss a call with a friend.
• Mailbag: Looks Like You Made It
  You're Red Raiders for life now, no take backs.
  
• Mailbag: Building Up
  Texas Tech hosted its first topping out ceremony of its second century, but it won't be the last.
  
• Mailbag: Taking Over
  What does it take to turn Dallas red?
  
• Mailbag: Off to the Races
  Texas Tech and LISD partnered on a STEM project involving races and student-built vehicles.
  
• Mailbag: Everything Evermore All At Once
  What does it take to become the best of the best?
• Mailbag: Red Raider Community
  In which we talk about what the Red Raider community is.
  
• Mailbag: Happy Independence Day
  Where we talk about summer, safety and making good decisions.
• Mailbag: Two Mondays
  A weird week of work and a couple other things you should know.
  
• Mailbag: Why Semiconductors Matter
  You may be surprised to learn how much is happening at Texas Tech.
  
• Mailbag: Let's Go Dining
  We're talking about food, so please enjoy.
  
• Mailbag: Clarion Awards
  Another round of awards and a night to remember.
• Mailbag: Leading from Lubbock
  After a whirlwind week in the Big 12, it is worth noting the huge role President Lawrence Schovanec played in the latest round of realignment.
• Mailbag: Let's Talk About the Weather
  Fake fall came and went, but we learned some things.
• Mailbag: Day of Giving
  Texas Tech's second Day of Giving was a massive success, thanks to all of you, but how does the whole thing come together?
• Mailbag: What's Up With Hurricane Season?
  Hurricane season is clearly here, so we asked why they're hitting left, right and center.
• Mailbag: Life Advice from Jimmy Buffett
  A legend has passed, but we can all still appreciate what he brought us.
• Mailbag: The Villain of the Housing Market?
  Short-term rentals are feeling the heat, but are they the true villains?
• Mailbag: Hard-Working People
  When trouble hits, the Operations Division responds.
  
• Mailbag: What Texas Tech Has Always Been About
  President Schovanec's State of the University highlighted many records while emphasizing Texas Tech's priority: our students. 
• Mailbag: Fall Agritourism
  It's that time of year, so enjoy it and be respectful.
• Mailbag: Help Is Near
  Let's talk about people, purpose and believing in good.
• Mailbag: Get Out And Vote
  Get to the polls and let your voice be heard.
  
• Mailbag: Building a Reputation
  With our hibernation over, we're hungry and back on the hunt.
• Mailbag: Texas Tech's Kansas City Connection
  If you're wondering where our support will be Sunday, wonder no more.
• Mailbag: Helping While Feeling Helpless
  Our community is in distress, and all of us should be concerned.
• Mailbag: The Pursuit of Prime
  Chasing the best there is to chase.

---

 

 

tags: Stories, provost