Today's compact, point-and-shoot cameras are amazing and great for travel.

The mantra these days is to travel light, especially with the excessive extra charges of the airlines and the hassles of going through security.

We went on a short trip to Florida to visit relatives but I still wanted to get out to a nearby national wildlife refuge and take some pictures. The only camera I packed for the trip was my Panasonic Lumix DMC-TZ 5.

By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com

TCU pulled away from Boise State in the Bowl Championship Series standings Sunday.

TCU moved up two spots to No. 4, jumping Iowa and Cincinnati. Cincinnati remained No. 5. Boise State moved up one spot to No. 6, jumping Iowa.

The Broncos are .049 behind TCU in the BCS standings. Last week, the gap was just .0145.

The Broncos now are the lowest-ranked of the six unbeaten teams in all three polls and the BCS.

I've sat in a rocking chair and read "Where the Wild Things Are" about 400 times in the past two months -- it's my little boy's current No. 1 naptime/bedtime choice -- but I still haven't found time to see the movie. (Why is life so busy?) However, I did dig into the soundtrack, which features several indie-rock musicians going by the name Karen O and the Kids. As Tim Johnstone and I explained two or three weeks ago on 94.9 FM's "The Other Studio," it's Karen O from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs backed by members of Deerhunter, Raconteurs, etcetera. (Incidentally, there will be no "Other Studio" tonight. Poor Tim has been sick as a dog!)

I really recommend you check this soundtrack out, especially if you have little ones eager to share in your enjoyment of music. It's nice to have guilt-free rock albums you can listen to with children and feel good about. I mean, I always feel like a questionable dad when my toddler starts dancing to Rammstein or something. (Which, I discovered this weekend as winter approaches, is the perfect sonic energy boost for splitting firewood with a sledgehammer and wedges. Anybody got some Icy Hot this morning?)

Speaking of kids: One last reminder that They Might Be Giants will perform a children's show at 4 p.m. today at the Egyptian Theatre. As far as I know, tickets are still available.

What's up at Idaho Botanical Garden?

A few news bits from IBG — first from the annual Scarecrow Stroll event. Local businesses and families designed scarecrows, which were placed around the garden during the month of October. Visitors voted, and picked the best:

Capital (10-0) and Eagle (9-1) moved into the 5A state semifinals, all three local 4A teams were eliminated and Fruitland (7-3) clobbered Orofino in 3A action. The playoffs continue Saturday.

By Chadd Cripe
ccripe@idahostatesman.com
© 2009 Idaho Statesman

RUSTON, La. — Boise State athletic director Gene Bleymaier is frustrated with the response he’s getting from Bowl Championship Series-conference teams as he searches for a 2011 season-opening football game.

Several BCS teams have turned down a home game against the Broncos for that season, Bleymaier said Friday night. Earlier in the week, WAC commissioner Karl Benson said it’s close to 10 teams.

ESPN is helping the Broncos find an opponent, Bleymaier and Benson said.

9:11 p.m. — FINAL: Capital 38, Mountain View 13

9:03 p.m. — Capital 38, Mountain View 13: The Eagles appear to be on their way to the state semifinals. Running back Charlie McMartin scored on fourth-and-one with a 54-yard touchdown run up the middle with 4:34 remaining in the game.

9:02 p.m. — The winner of this game will host Highland next week. The Rams beat Idaho Falls 34-26 at Holt Arena tonight.

It must be the weekend, because I crave a couple of "cold brew-ha-has." Anybody else remember this mind-frying cartoon as a kid? It's called Jack Mac & Rad Boy ... Go!" It aired on USA Network's "Night Flight" video show, then moved on to MTV's "Liquid Television" in the early '90s. Awesome.

Pollstar says Merle Haggard will perform at the Idaho Botanical Garden on May 6, 2010. We'll just go ahead and assume it's an Outlaw Field Summer Concert Series show. Early May is, well, early for an outdoor concert, but it could be beautiful. At least if you believe the saying about April showers bringing May flowers ...

Fourth quarter

BOISE STATE 30, LOUISIANA TECH 28
Scoring play: Dennis Morris 5 pass from Ross Jenkins (Nelson kick), 14:07
Drive: 7 plays, 59 yards, 2:23

The Bulldogs surprised the Broncos with an onside kick and took it all the way down the field.

BOISE STATE 38, LOUISIANA TECH 28
Scoring play: Austin Pettis 12 pass from Kellen Moore (Moore to Shoemaker), 7:41
Drive: 5 plays, 56 yards, 1:57

Moore hit Kyle Efaw on a 40-yard pass play to move the Broncos into Louisiana Tech territory.

BOISE STATE 45, LOUISIANA TECH 28