My football weekend

Well, well, well...I did it! I have said for a couple of years now, I want to attend a game at a different Big XII stadium each year.

In 2005, we went to Baylor (Waco, TX) to see the Baylor Bears play Texas Tech. The highlight of that game was Baylor's mascot. They have a REAL BEAR!!! Last year, I threw together a last minute birthday weekend to Lubbock for a Texas Tech game. Yes, that trip had an ulterior motive. What was it?? Randy Rogers, of course!! We made sandwiches for the trip (6-7 hrs!) and arrived in Lubbock in time to check in to the hotel before heading to the bookstore for some Tech gear and then the game. Texas Tech had a sound lead (54-0) when we decided to leave and head to the South Plains Fair to see....you guessed it, Randy Rogers Band. What a great birthday weekend!!

September 2007 is here and that means the start of football season! I have finally been included in the guys fantasy football league, so I am forced to keep up with not only college but NFL also. (GO LARRY JOHNSON!!) The schedules were compared and a plan was made.

So, Saturday September 8th, we headed to College Station, Texas. Upon arrival, it was clear; this trip was not going to be as simple as Waco or Lubbock! Texas A&M is not 'visitor friendly.' Not the people, the campus! We could see Kyle Field, yet there did not seem to be any parking lots or roads available to get there. We stopped at a bookstore to get some Aggie-gear and hopefully some helpful advice. Driving, driving, driving (thankfully it was in a cute little rent car) looking for a parking lot or tickets. Once in a parking garage, the walk began!! Apparently everything is very ceremonial at A&M, so we did get to see the 'parade' heading to the field. It began with the band, then the corps, the corps, the corps, the corps, the corps, the corps…you get the picture. Anyone out there who can explain that to me…please do. There were about 100 different sections of the corps marching…who were they? And what's the difference??

Ok, we only have about a mile to go to get to the field and keep in mind it is 100 degree outside. Here we are, Kyle Field! An hour and a half to kick off and the official track temperature is 145 degree. I AM MEALTING!!! I looked at Jared and said, 'Don't worry, I promise I will NEVER want to do this again.' We stood under the stands near the food vendors, ate a hot dog & a corny dog, and eventually climbed over some barricades and found 'the underground' area, where I sat on the floor! At least it was out of the sun.

We found our seats just in time for kick-off. We are on the Alumni side, so we have the shade to look forward to…it is only about 5 rows behind us. After the National Anthem and the ceremonial fly-over (very impressive!), I notice there are no cheerleaders. Yes, there are like 5 yell leaders on the other side, but we've got nothing on our side. There is no spirit clubs, dance team, flag girls, or even twirlers!! I saw no representation of organizations, clubs, fraternities or sororities of any kind. Plus, the band didn't seem to know any 'songs' or when to play them! Probably the quietest college game I have ever attended.

OK-so, third quarter rolls around, A&M in the lead and I have officially melted! We head out to find our parking garage. It is actually much easier to find Kyle Field following a parade, then it is to find the 'Central Parking Garage' which is the shortest building on campus with no parade!

Finally, we are on the road again, headed to Houston in time to watch UFC 75. The rent car has XM Satellite Radio, so we could listen to the end of the game. WHAT!!! The score is tied? Overtime?? Double overtime? Triple Overtime? Yep- I paid a fortune to get into the game, and left before anything exciting happened!! But, in all actuality, I was not impressed with the whole thing and 87,000 excited fans was probably more then I needed to be a part of. We did make it to Houston in time to check into the hotel, only to find they didnt have Spike TV! We ended up at a neighboring hotel bar and were the only people interested in UFC and not the UT game!

Here is it Sunday, and I'm waking up in Houston, about 2 blocks from Reliant Stadium, where the Houston Texas would be kicking off to the Kansas City Chiefs in about 3 hours!! Not dealing with parking was truly a blessing; we just took off from the hotel and walked right into the stadium. FYI…College Station is HOT, but Houston is HOT with about 110% humidity on top of the HOT! Reliant has a retractable roof, and boy was I praying that baby would be closed and the air conditioner would be cranked! PHEW, relief, it is nice and cool when we walk in. What a beautiful stadium, well thought out, great seats, tons of vendors and we are on the 25th row. We are seated next to 4 people with Chiefs jerseys, they drove from Springfield and were heading back as soon as the game was over! WOW, not that is loyalty to your team!

Oh- I do need to add that we were potentially in two fights. One was a 'drunk guys talking shit' and the other was for sure gang related. Apparently I have an even bigger problem keeping my mouth shut then I realized. In both instances, I had to interject that everything is fine, 'Its okay guys. Its just a game.' The second altercation actually scared me after I said anything. It was defiantly time for me to get out of Houston!

We finally made it out of Houston and into Austin to drop off the rent car and eat at Maudie's!! I'm not totally in love with my new car, but AAAHHHHHH it sure is a nice ride after spending the weekend in a Sonata! I pull into Fredericksburg about 10:30 pm. Monday morning starts early, when I take dad in for hernia surgery. YUCK, but that is why I am spending so much time writing tonight, I am just sitting down stairs making sure he doesn't do anything he shouldn't!
Overall I had a great football weekend '07. Probably wont be going back to Kyle Field anytime soon, but I'm glad I can say I was there with my best friend. I don't know where 2008 will take me; or if 2007 might lead to another game or two. I need to focus on my Fantasy Team now. As the first and only girl in our league, I cant crap out, it would be like ruining the whole female race!! Right now I am beating EVERYONE in the league…except the guy I'm playing this week. UUUGGGHHHHH! Wish me luck, and if you have any pointers please send them my way. Oh-geeeez! They just announced that Eli Manning is out for at least a month. Guess I gotta go pick up Big Ben!