Sit down and have some Chunky soup. It appears that the Philadelphia Eagles have agreed to trade Donovan McNabb to the Redskins. Maybe I should've made hitting the Linc (i.e. Lincoln Financial) a priority. With McNabb gone, and Kevin Kolb taking the reigns, I'm not sure there's any urgency or that I care too much anymore to make the trip to Philly. Further, although I live in the area, I still can't understand the moves of Dan Snyder and the Redskins. At a minimum, I'm fortunate to have a professional football team in the area so I can go and scout the visiting teams.
I am a Colts fan. GO COLTS!
THE WIRK
Showing posts with label Colts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Colts. Show all posts
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
The Blind Side ~ Yes, I'm going to read a book
Alright, better late than never. I'm going to start and try to finish "The Blind Side" before I go and see the movie later this week. My friend, Ricky, wore Ravens' purple when we were in Indianapolis for the Ravens v Colts game and wouldn't stop talking about Michael Oher. Additionally, Ricky went to Ole Miss and so did Michael Oher.
I was at the Philly airport on my way back from Miami, saw the book, and decided to grab it. People always say that the book is better than the movie, and this movie has been receiving rave reviews. Sooooo, we shall see...
Let's hope my attention span can handle the read...
Buy the book, and check it out for yourself. It's not even $10...
THE WIRK
I was at the Philly airport on my way back from Miami, saw the book, and decided to grab it. People always say that the book is better than the movie, and this movie has been receiving rave reviews. Sooooo, we shall see...
Let's hope my attention span can handle the read...
Buy the book, and check it out for yourself. It's not even $10...
THE WIRK
Monday, February 8, 2010
Super Bowl XLIV ~ Saints 31 - Colts 17, but the score doesn't tell the story
Yesterday I went to Super Bowl XLIV... It was my first Super Bowl ever. Notice, I said "first", which implies maybe there's a "second" or a "third", etc. You never know.. I could score another ticket and go again... As long as I'm breathing, there's always a chance!
Transportation to Sun Life Stadium was provided. We meet up with a group of guys and we're off to the stadium ~ we probably left close to 1:30 and were parked by about 3. Plenty of time to check out the scene, take a few pics outside, buy a program, get some grub, and sit in the seats to take in the whole experience. My brother has been to the Super Bowl before. He lives in South Beach. Soooo, guess who got to go also?!?! This girl!!!! I've been a Colts fan since 2002, when I dated Jason. Jason and I met when I lived in Atlanta. He was from Indiana and a huge Colts fan, and I ended up falling in love with the team and having such a great time at the RCA Dome and in Indy a few times a year, that I adopted the team also. I went with Jason and his friends to the AFC Championship game in 2004, and saw the Colts lose to the Patriots at Gillette... Yes, this is serious and I told you I was a Colts fan...
I didn't go to the Super Bowl 3 years ago. I didn't see Prince and watch the Colts win it all. Have you ever looked at ticket prices for the Super Bowl?!?!!? Wow. They definitely make it tough for the gen pop (i.e. general population = those of us without agents, grammys, oscars, guaranteed contracts, etc.) to get into the stadium! This was going to be my year.
I started chronicling this year's football travels, in this blog, with my trip to the new Cowboys Stadium and then subsequently stopped off in Indy and Minneapolis on my way to the Super Bowl. Incidentally, I hit Heinz Field earlier this year also. Obviously I kept up with the NFL season, but I skipped traveling to the AFC and NFC Championship games. I was exhausted from the travels the week before. Lucky for me, early last week my brother sent me an email asking me what was better: (a) lowers in the corner or (b) uppers in the center... The answer for me was obvious ~ lowers in the corner as long as corner didn't translate to "endzone". Sure enough, he was asking, since one of those tickets would be mine!!!
Insert happy dance.
On the "coach" to the stadium, we hear about an auction the night before at the Hard Rock in Laudy and that there were a couple of tickets to the Grammy's and a Grammy's after party up for bid. I love my brother, because he thought the same thing I did. We both asked if the guy had another pair of tickets. The guy makes a call and leaves a voicemail. So now, we wait... Seriously ~ how cool would it be to go to the Grammys?!?!
Around the stadium, I was so excited to see more people in Colts' blue walking towards the building. In the security line it seemed like the Saints to Colts fan ratio was about 5:1. I have no idea why I had a pack of about 6 Jets fans (in Jets jerseys) to my right. Carlos, a Jets fan, was cool though... Oh well ~ to each their own. Security was tight ~ bags bigger than 12X12 inches weren't permitted. My Dior made it through. I don't even want to get into what sort of scene would've occurred if my bag had to stay out. There would've been a problem...
On the concourse for $22 you could have a Cuban sandwich and for about the same price you can have some freshly cooked paella. I found that interesting ~ loved the fact they featured local food, but seriously, $22 <-- really?!!? The Saints fan in front of my brother had the paella (which looked AMAZING) and then proceeded to fall asleep for the 1st HALF of the game! I couldn't believe it. LOL. It's almost as if he knew that his team would have very little for him to see in the 1st half! His buddy said his friend hadn't slept in 2 days. I believe it. It'd been a party in South Beach the past few days, regardless if you went to a star-studded party or not!
Steve Winwod's performance at the Tailgate Party was being broadcast in the stadium. I'm actually not sure if he sang anything except for "Higher Love". Emmit Smith was getting his picture taken with the Zebras before the game. Queen Latifah sang "America the Beautiful". Carrie Underwood sang the "National Anthem". Ashton Kutcher was with Demi Moore on the Colts' sideline and he was shooting pictures ~ perhaps it was another Nikon add in the making...
Did I mentioned that our seats were amazing?!?!! Row 9. 9... Yes, I said 9. The seats were in the Lower Level. Santa Claus came early this year!!! The seats were just perfect. Free and perfect. I couldn't have been happier. It was a little cooler temperature wise, but there was no rain ~ excellent, fall football type weather!
The teams were warming up and I noticed Freeney was in uniform and running through some drills. That was reassuring. Everyone on the Colts looked loose, but focused.
Coin toss - Saints won it.
Game started and it looked like the Colts would have the game. "3 and Out" described the Saints' performance. The Saints finally had a first down and the place erupted. Very little trash talking was going on. People were focused on the game and let's face it, the game was a tight one. At the half, the score was 10-6. Colts had the lead, but there was a noticeable/palpable lack of ease on behalf of Colts fans. Where was the expected Colts scoring surge?!?! Shouldn't we have at least another touchdown?!?! Did I miss something?
I saw myself on the jumbotron twice during the 2nd Quarter. That was pretty cool and the exact reason why I own that lime green sweater! Haha.
The Who came out at the half and did their thing. I recognized a few of their songs, but I didn't do the cell phone movements that were broadcast on the screen so that the crowd could participate in their performance. For those of you, who see me, I'll demonstrate the moves if you want ~ but trust me, they're not that special. The performance was good ~ but, it was no Prince...
At the start of the 2nd half, if you have a TV, you already know what happened. The Saints' trick play... Sean Payton was a genius ~ ONLY because the play worked. If it would've failed and the Saints had lost, I'm sure he would be crucified all day long and there'd be a joke about him that would be told every year. I could've sworn that onside kick was a mistake by the Saints' team ~ I didn't expect it. From the looks of the replay, neither did Hank Baskett since the ball bounced off of his helmet. @#$%@$#@#@!# For all you ladies, out there ~ Hank is married to former Playboy Playmate, Kendra. Among other credits, she was featured in the Girls Next Door show on E.
Were my eyes deceiving me, but I swear I saw Matt Stover miss a field goal in the 4th Quarter. $#%^$%#$@# I watched the 4th Quarter with such a sense of urgency, and yet I felt hollow. It was almost as if the Saints had deflated me. Unbelievable. Yet I still thought that the Colts were still "in it" since we were driving and had a little more than 3.5 mins left in the game. With a little more than 3.5 mins in the game, and a Saint's player down on the field, I decided I could run up the steps to the bathroom and make it back before play resumed. Yes, I have tiny tanks. Believe it or not, I did make it back in time. I made it back in time to watch Tracy Porter pick off Peyton Manning's throw to Reggie Wayne. I turned my back, and when I got back I witnessed a "Pick 6" that resulted in a 74 yard return for a TOUCHDOWN... &^%^%#$@$#!@!
For those of you trivia buffs ~ Porter is also the guy that picked off Brett Favre in the NFC Championship game. I'll never forger that guy's name. Did you know he's from Louisiana, but went to Indiana? Neither did I...
The final score was 31 to 17. The score doesn't tell the story, but it's all that most people will remember. At the end of the game I think I was just trying to take it all in... "I'm sorry," my brother said. What's there to be sorry about? Sure, I wanted the Colts to win. Yes, I was bummed about the outcome ~ but I was able to go from "start to finish" more or less with a Super Bowl weekend and experience. I saw the Saits' franchise win their first Super Bowl ever. And even though, they lost ~ I can say that I saw my Colts in the Super Bowl... Not many people can say that. And I did it for FREE, so even though the Saints knocked the wind right out of me ~ I'm gonna be just fine!
My phone died right after the game. I think it was the ATT&T gods trying to save me, so I wouldn't "lose it" as all my friends who were Saints fans started blowing up my phone. I get a text from a friend that he's headed to LIV at the Fountainebleau. I was not going to go. I had nothing to celebrate and I was mentally exhausted. My brother and I went for a slice of pizza as we headed back to his car.
I got home and my friend Jack who's also watching Sportscenter starts blasting texts to me about points he wants me to include in this blog. Jack is a Redskins fan, but let's not hold that against him. He does make some points that I agree with and one that I'll take his word for.
THE WIRK
Transportation to Sun Life Stadium was provided. We meet up with a group of guys and we're off to the stadium ~ we probably left close to 1:30 and were parked by about 3. Plenty of time to check out the scene, take a few pics outside, buy a program, get some grub, and sit in the seats to take in the whole experience. My brother has been to the Super Bowl before. He lives in South Beach. Soooo, guess who got to go also?!?! This girl!!!! I've been a Colts fan since 2002, when I dated Jason. Jason and I met when I lived in Atlanta. He was from Indiana and a huge Colts fan, and I ended up falling in love with the team and having such a great time at the RCA Dome and in Indy a few times a year, that I adopted the team also. I went with Jason and his friends to the AFC Championship game in 2004, and saw the Colts lose to the Patriots at Gillette... Yes, this is serious and I told you I was a Colts fan...
I didn't go to the Super Bowl 3 years ago. I didn't see Prince and watch the Colts win it all. Have you ever looked at ticket prices for the Super Bowl?!?!!? Wow. They definitely make it tough for the gen pop (i.e. general population = those of us without agents, grammys, oscars, guaranteed contracts, etc.) to get into the stadium! This was going to be my year.
I started chronicling this year's football travels, in this blog, with my trip to the new Cowboys Stadium and then subsequently stopped off in Indy and Minneapolis on my way to the Super Bowl. Incidentally, I hit Heinz Field earlier this year also. Obviously I kept up with the NFL season, but I skipped traveling to the AFC and NFC Championship games. I was exhausted from the travels the week before. Lucky for me, early last week my brother sent me an email asking me what was better: (a) lowers in the corner or (b) uppers in the center... The answer for me was obvious ~ lowers in the corner as long as corner didn't translate to "endzone". Sure enough, he was asking, since one of those tickets would be mine!!!
Insert happy dance.
On the "coach" to the stadium, we hear about an auction the night before at the Hard Rock in Laudy and that there were a couple of tickets to the Grammy's and a Grammy's after party up for bid. I love my brother, because he thought the same thing I did. We both asked if the guy had another pair of tickets. The guy makes a call and leaves a voicemail. So now, we wait... Seriously ~ how cool would it be to go to the Grammys?!?!
Around the stadium, I was so excited to see more people in Colts' blue walking towards the building. In the security line it seemed like the Saints to Colts fan ratio was about 5:1. I have no idea why I had a pack of about 6 Jets fans (in Jets jerseys) to my right. Carlos, a Jets fan, was cool though... Oh well ~ to each their own. Security was tight ~ bags bigger than 12X12 inches weren't permitted. My Dior made it through. I don't even want to get into what sort of scene would've occurred if my bag had to stay out. There would've been a problem...
They have rides at the Super Bowl!
On the concourse for $22 you could have a Cuban sandwich and for about the same price you can have some freshly cooked paella. I found that interesting ~ loved the fact they featured local food, but seriously, $22 <-- really?!!? The Saints fan in front of my brother had the paella (which looked AMAZING) and then proceeded to fall asleep for the 1st HALF of the game! I couldn't believe it. LOL. It's almost as if he knew that his team would have very little for him to see in the 1st half! His buddy said his friend hadn't slept in 2 days. I believe it. It'd been a party in South Beach the past few days, regardless if you went to a star-studded party or not!
Steve Winwod's performance at the Tailgate Party was being broadcast in the stadium. I'm actually not sure if he sang anything except for "Higher Love". Emmit Smith was getting his picture taken with the Zebras before the game. Queen Latifah sang "America the Beautiful". Carrie Underwood sang the "National Anthem". Ashton Kutcher was with Demi Moore on the Colts' sideline and he was shooting pictures ~ perhaps it was another Nikon add in the making...
Emmit Smith with the Zebras
Ashton Kutcher next to Demi Moore
Did I mentioned that our seats were amazing?!?!! Row 9. 9... Yes, I said 9. The seats were in the Lower Level. Santa Claus came early this year!!! The seats were just perfect. Free and perfect. I couldn't have been happier. It was a little cooler temperature wise, but there was no rain ~ excellent, fall football type weather!
Freeney was ready to play
Coin toss - Saints won it.
Game started and it looked like the Colts would have the game. "3 and Out" described the Saints' performance. The Saints finally had a first down and the place erupted. Very little trash talking was going on. People were focused on the game and let's face it, the game was a tight one. At the half, the score was 10-6. Colts had the lead, but there was a noticeable/palpable lack of ease on behalf of Colts fans. Where was the expected Colts scoring surge?!?! Shouldn't we have at least another touchdown?!?! Did I miss something?
Colts offense
The extra point was good!
Saints offense
I saw myself on the jumbotron twice during the 2nd Quarter. That was pretty cool and the exact reason why I own that lime green sweater! Haha.
The Who came out at the half and did their thing. I recognized a few of their songs, but I didn't do the cell phone movements that were broadcast on the screen so that the crowd could participate in their performance. For those of you, who see me, I'll demonstrate the moves if you want ~ but trust me, they're not that special. The performance was good ~ but, it was no Prince...
The Who onstage
The Who up close.
Were my eyes deceiving me, but I swear I saw Matt Stover miss a field goal in the 4th Quarter. $#%^$%#$@# I watched the 4th Quarter with such a sense of urgency, and yet I felt hollow. It was almost as if the Saints had deflated me. Unbelievable. Yet I still thought that the Colts were still "in it" since we were driving and had a little more than 3.5 mins left in the game. With a little more than 3.5 mins in the game, and a Saint's player down on the field, I decided I could run up the steps to the bathroom and make it back before play resumed. Yes, I have tiny tanks. Believe it or not, I did make it back in time. I made it back in time to watch Tracy Porter pick off Peyton Manning's throw to Reggie Wayne. I turned my back, and when I got back I witnessed a "Pick 6" that resulted in a 74 yard return for a TOUCHDOWN... &^%^%#$@$#!@!
For those of you trivia buffs ~ Porter is also the guy that picked off Brett Favre in the NFC Championship game. I'll never forger that guy's name. Did you know he's from Louisiana, but went to Indiana? Neither did I...
Saints win!
Now THAT'S a lot of confetti!
The final score was 31 to 17. The score doesn't tell the story, but it's all that most people will remember. At the end of the game I think I was just trying to take it all in... "I'm sorry," my brother said. What's there to be sorry about? Sure, I wanted the Colts to win. Yes, I was bummed about the outcome ~ but I was able to go from "start to finish" more or less with a Super Bowl weekend and experience. I saw the Saits' franchise win their first Super Bowl ever. And even though, they lost ~ I can say that I saw my Colts in the Super Bowl... Not many people can say that. And I did it for FREE, so even though the Saints knocked the wind right out of me ~ I'm gonna be just fine!
My phone died right after the game. I think it was the ATT&T gods trying to save me, so I wouldn't "lose it" as all my friends who were Saints fans started blowing up my phone. I get a text from a friend that he's headed to LIV at the Fountainebleau. I was not going to go. I had nothing to celebrate and I was mentally exhausted. My brother and I went for a slice of pizza as we headed back to his car.
I got home and my friend Jack who's also watching Sportscenter starts blasting texts to me about points he wants me to include in this blog. Jack is a Redskins fan, but let's not hold that against him. He does make some points that I agree with and one that I'll take his word for.
- Jack: "The Saints appeared to have a better game plan." My thoughts: The Saints kept Manning off the field. It reminded me of the Georgetown v Villanova game in 1985 , when the Wildcats slowed down the offense and basically just "held the ball"... Manning can't be effective if he's not on the field.
- Jack: "The commercials were mad weak, u missed nothing." My thoughts: I'll take his word for it.
- Jack: "The Saints have like 13 contracts up of starters." My thoughts: I just saw this stat on TV and I counted about 10 unrestricted/restricted free agents.
- Jack: "I bet they (i.e. the Saints) go 6-10 next year." My thoughts: We shall see.
- Jack: "Gregg Williams was the X factor." My thoughts: I needed Jack to explain this one and tell me who Gregg Williams was ~ but based on this link, that my brother just sent me: http://espn.go.com/blog/NFCNorth/post/_/id/9853/jumping-the-colts-routes, Jack is correct.
- Jack: "Both are class acts" My thoughts: He was referring to Brees and Manning. I watched the post-game interviews on TV and I agree. Brees was gracious as a winner, and as the loser you could see the frustration in Manning's face and hear the irritation in his voice, but he said all the right things. I felt like the reporters were trying to get Manning to "flip out", but he handled the questions fairly well.
My brother and I after the game
THE WIRK
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Friday before the Super Bowl ~ Vegas, NFL Commish Party/Lockout, Caps, and Go Colts!!!
Today, I wasn't able to get out since I was jockeying con calls and working. HOWEVER, I was able to watch a little bit of TV, check some schedules, and gather my thoughts before trekking out to Laudy for the NFL Commish party.
My predictions for the night:
Winners: I liked the Hawks, Pacers, and Nuggets. I liked the Nuggets even after I heard that Kobe was playing and Carmelo Anthony was out. It was a hunch ~ but it was dead ON. Did you see that Nuggets v Lakers game?! If not, you missed a good one. Chaucey was shooting the lights out of the arena and left with a career high of 37 points. I need to get to Denver when they're all healthy and see them play, in person, for myself...
Loser: I also liked the Hornets, even though CP3 wasn't playing, since I read that AI was out also. No idea what happened with that game, since I was up to my eyes in football stuff, but according to the ESPN crawl, the Philly bench "stepped up"... Yeah, well you're just as shocked as I am... Who cares ~ you can't predict them all, and that's what you get when you pick a lame game to guess about.
So, what's the verdict?!? Well, I'm not 100% psychic, but I'm 75% psychic... I would've gone 3/4... Can you tell that I'm jonesing for a trip to Vegas?!?! I looked at flights to Atlantis last night and the RT fare was a hair under $200. I always carry my pasport with me (i.e. since you "never know") and almost bought the ticket to head out there tomorrow, but I held off. Sure enough when I looked for the same flights on the way to Laudy, they flights were sold out. Oh well. It wasn't that serious for me to head out there for THE DAY.
I wish I had enough time to head to Vegas before the Super Bowl. I love the Venetian Sportsbook. Ask anyone who knows me, has spent any amount of time with me in Vegas, or is looking for me when I'm in Vegas and they'll tell you where I am and they'd be willing to bet on it. I'm a creature of habit. I like familiarity. I know the guys there in that book, and they have served me well throughout the years. I'm superstitious (i.e. just a little),and I study that board (with all the games listed) ridiculously well. As a gambler, I believe in the streak. I believe in momentum, and I have a firm grip on the psychology of sports. I've seen what it's like for athletes to travel, to wake up for film, and to have to go to the arena early for treatment/shoot around. I've seen how quickly or slowly some bounce back from injury, I know that back spasms is a fake diagnosis, when listed as an injury, and I also have a clue as to who's a headcase and who has brains. OK - so maybe I don't KNOW, but I'm VERY confident in my hunches.
When in the book and in preparation for my trips to Vegas I watch plenty of games, look up the trends, and crunch/examine the numbers just as much, if not more than the investors that watch the companies in their stock portfolios. I get a little obsessive compulsive. Instead of buying and selling Coca Cola, I decide whether I want to pick up teams that are improving and try to time it right, as to when to jump off of another team's bandwagon... My brother looks at health care com[anies/technology etc. for work, and he always tells me he hates gambling. BULLSHIT. He's a gambler ~ he does the exact same thing I do. He just chooses health care related companies, and I'd rather watch sports. Ever get tickets to go watch Pepsi , Boeing, or Wendy's do anything!?! Yeah, I didn't think so.
Anyway... Enough about that.
So today was Roger Goodell's State of the NFL press conference and his Super Bowl party... I missed the press conference. I told you I was working... Anyway, the gist of it is this. I firmly believe there will be an NFL Lockout next season in 2011, and I'm not in the minority. Why?!? Because everyone wants to get paid and $8 billion in gross revenue is plenty of money to fight over. (Shoot, I'll lock you out of my car for $20... I can't even fathom what I'd do if I had to fight for a cut of $8 billion... But I digress... ) Another reason I think a lockout will happen, is because I've seen it happen in basketball. I've seen what happens when the bluff is called. I remember when my ex had to go workout with the college kids at Cleveland State or the Cleveland Indians, since the Cavs facility was off-liimts.
I mentioned the strong possibility of no football in 2011 to my brother at the Commish's party. "There going to strike?!?" was his reply. No, Grasshopper ~ let me school you and any other person with incorrect ideas about this issue. The players aren't going to strike. The owners will lock them out ~ hence, LOCKOUT. Just like in basketball... Don't believe me? Here.
According to Wikipedia ~ A lockout is a work stoppage in which an employer prevents employees from working. This is different from a strike, in which employees refuse to work.
As a fan, a lockout would be terrible. I've seen the movie "The Replacements". It was good, but that's a movie. I was having drinks with my friends yesterday and my friend MW had me laughing. He pointed to his 3 friends and said, "They're going to put us in uniforms, give us helmets, and call us the Dallas Cowboys!" How can you not laugh at the thought?!?!
We also talked about the Pro Bowl and the movement of the game to the week before the Super Bowl. Consensus at the table and the ratings showed me that this was a good move. Although, I'm not sure that anyone of us actually watched the game. Sure, fan attendance was better ~ duh, has anyone compared airfare price differences between a trip to Honolulu v. a trip to Miami?!?! The argument is that people need something to fill the void preceding the Super Bowl. Yeah ~ but does anyone even know who won the game?!?! I think it was the NFC... Dammit ~ just checked it, and I was wrong ~ the AFC won.
Oh well, if you would've asked me to put in order the musical performances at the Grammy's I could've done that quicker. I actualy ended up DVR'g the Grammy's and waching 2 crappy ACC basketball games that Sunday ~ but let me tell you, that if I had to do it all over again, I still wouldn't want to watch the Pro Bowl. I've never been to the event, but any event that the PROFESSIONAL athletes are given the PRIVILEGE to play ~ and the athletes bow out ~ well, why should I watch?!?! The player himself doesn't want to play... What is that even about?!?!? If anyone honored me enough to pick me to represent whomever/whatever in the internet shopping and text message olympics I'd be there with bells on. I just don't understand it. Some people want to play, some people don't. It all boils down to this ~ if you're not psyched about your own gig/product, how am I supposed to be psyched about your gig/product?!!
One last thng, and I realize that this is selfish ~ I met my last fiance during the NBA Lockout so who's to say an NFL Lockout would be so bad?!?! Just saying... Haha :-P
Anyway... Enough about that.
The Caps have won 13 in a row. The record in hockey is 17... I say the Caps go for at least 18! Let's go Caps!!!
I can't think of anything else right now. So that's all I have for now. Time to light a candle and pray for Dwight Freeney's ankle. GO COLTS!!!
Wait... Speaking of the Colts check out the pics from the NFL Commish party today. I'm a Colts fan so I'm partial to the Unitas pics... Incidentally, Unitas was Lithuanian.. Hahaha:-P
THE WIRK
My predictions for the night:
Winners: I liked the Hawks, Pacers, and Nuggets. I liked the Nuggets even after I heard that Kobe was playing and Carmelo Anthony was out. It was a hunch ~ but it was dead ON. Did you see that Nuggets v Lakers game?! If not, you missed a good one. Chaucey was shooting the lights out of the arena and left with a career high of 37 points. I need to get to Denver when they're all healthy and see them play, in person, for myself...
Loser: I also liked the Hornets, even though CP3 wasn't playing, since I read that AI was out also. No idea what happened with that game, since I was up to my eyes in football stuff, but according to the ESPN crawl, the Philly bench "stepped up"... Yeah, well you're just as shocked as I am... Who cares ~ you can't predict them all, and that's what you get when you pick a lame game to guess about.
So, what's the verdict?!? Well, I'm not 100% psychic, but I'm 75% psychic... I would've gone 3/4... Can you tell that I'm jonesing for a trip to Vegas?!?! I looked at flights to Atlantis last night and the RT fare was a hair under $200. I always carry my pasport with me (i.e. since you "never know") and almost bought the ticket to head out there tomorrow, but I held off. Sure enough when I looked for the same flights on the way to Laudy, they flights were sold out. Oh well. It wasn't that serious for me to head out there for THE DAY.
I wish I had enough time to head to Vegas before the Super Bowl. I love the Venetian Sportsbook. Ask anyone who knows me, has spent any amount of time with me in Vegas, or is looking for me when I'm in Vegas and they'll tell you where I am and they'd be willing to bet on it. I'm a creature of habit. I like familiarity. I know the guys there in that book, and they have served me well throughout the years. I'm superstitious (i.e. just a little),and I study that board (with all the games listed) ridiculously well. As a gambler, I believe in the streak. I believe in momentum, and I have a firm grip on the psychology of sports. I've seen what it's like for athletes to travel, to wake up for film, and to have to go to the arena early for treatment/shoot around. I've seen how quickly or slowly some bounce back from injury, I know that back spasms is a fake diagnosis, when listed as an injury, and I also have a clue as to who's a headcase and who has brains. OK - so maybe I don't KNOW, but I'm VERY confident in my hunches.
When in the book and in preparation for my trips to Vegas I watch plenty of games, look up the trends, and crunch/examine the numbers just as much, if not more than the investors that watch the companies in their stock portfolios. I get a little obsessive compulsive. Instead of buying and selling Coca Cola, I decide whether I want to pick up teams that are improving and try to time it right, as to when to jump off of another team's bandwagon... My brother looks at health care com[anies/technology etc. for work, and he always tells me he hates gambling. BULLSHIT. He's a gambler ~ he does the exact same thing I do. He just chooses health care related companies, and I'd rather watch sports. Ever get tickets to go watch Pepsi , Boeing, or Wendy's do anything!?! Yeah, I didn't think so.
Anyway... Enough about that.
So today was Roger Goodell's State of the NFL press conference and his Super Bowl party... I missed the press conference. I told you I was working... Anyway, the gist of it is this. I firmly believe there will be an NFL Lockout next season in 2011, and I'm not in the minority. Why?!? Because everyone wants to get paid and $8 billion in gross revenue is plenty of money to fight over. (Shoot, I'll lock you out of my car for $20... I can't even fathom what I'd do if I had to fight for a cut of $8 billion... But I digress... ) Another reason I think a lockout will happen, is because I've seen it happen in basketball. I've seen what happens when the bluff is called. I remember when my ex had to go workout with the college kids at Cleveland State or the Cleveland Indians, since the Cavs facility was off-liimts.
I mentioned the strong possibility of no football in 2011 to my brother at the Commish's party. "There going to strike?!?" was his reply. No, Grasshopper ~ let me school you and any other person with incorrect ideas about this issue. The players aren't going to strike. The owners will lock them out ~ hence, LOCKOUT. Just like in basketball... Don't believe me? Here.
According to Wikipedia ~ A lockout is a work stoppage in which an employer prevents employees from working. This is different from a strike, in which employees refuse to work.
As a fan, a lockout would be terrible. I've seen the movie "The Replacements". It was good, but that's a movie. I was having drinks with my friends yesterday and my friend MW had me laughing. He pointed to his 3 friends and said, "They're going to put us in uniforms, give us helmets, and call us the Dallas Cowboys!" How can you not laugh at the thought?!?!
We also talked about the Pro Bowl and the movement of the game to the week before the Super Bowl. Consensus at the table and the ratings showed me that this was a good move. Although, I'm not sure that anyone of us actually watched the game. Sure, fan attendance was better ~ duh, has anyone compared airfare price differences between a trip to Honolulu v. a trip to Miami?!?! The argument is that people need something to fill the void preceding the Super Bowl. Yeah ~ but does anyone even know who won the game?!?! I think it was the NFC... Dammit ~ just checked it, and I was wrong ~ the AFC won.
Oh well, if you would've asked me to put in order the musical performances at the Grammy's I could've done that quicker. I actualy ended up DVR'g the Grammy's and waching 2 crappy ACC basketball games that Sunday ~ but let me tell you, that if I had to do it all over again, I still wouldn't want to watch the Pro Bowl. I've never been to the event, but any event that the PROFESSIONAL athletes are given the PRIVILEGE to play ~ and the athletes bow out ~ well, why should I watch?!?! The player himself doesn't want to play... What is that even about?!?!? If anyone honored me enough to pick me to represent whomever/whatever in the internet shopping and text message olympics I'd be there with bells on. I just don't understand it. Some people want to play, some people don't. It all boils down to this ~ if you're not psyched about your own gig/product, how am I supposed to be psyched about your gig/product?!!
One last thng, and I realize that this is selfish ~ I met my last fiance during the NBA Lockout so who's to say an NFL Lockout would be so bad?!?! Just saying... Haha :-P
Anyway... Enough about that.
The Caps have won 13 in a row. The record in hockey is 17... I say the Caps go for at least 18! Let's go Caps!!!
I can't think of anything else right now. So that's all I have for now. Time to light a candle and pray for Dwight Freeney's ankle. GO COLTS!!!
Wait... Speaking of the Colts check out the pics from the NFL Commish party today. I'm a Colts fan so I'm partial to the Unitas pics... Incidentally, Unitas was Lithuanian.. Hahaha:-P
Tickets to the party looked like credentials...
The Pointer Sisters ~ Jump was the last song they sung.
The Vince Lombardi trophy
Unitas' helmet
Unitas' game jersey from the Super Bowl
THE WIRK
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Twas the Thursday before the Super Bowl in South Beach...
Eased into the day today and headed over to 12th and Ocean to meet some friends of mine for lunch. This intersection is very close to where you can walk to the ESPN, ESPN Radio, NFL network, CBS Early Morning show sets etc. Part of Ocean Drive is blocked to traffic, and the atmosphere was similar to a tame Bourbon Street... People are walking around in their favorite teams' attire and soaking in the experience. Sponsorship is everywhere on the street, and the most noticeable sponsor is Tide (i.e. aside from the huge Pepsi sound stage)...
Saw Sean Merriman walking off the set when I got to the meeting spot. I didn't know who he was, until my friend told me. Yeah ~ it's football. Unless you're wearing a jersey and actually playing on the field during game day ~ I probably won't recognize you. I guess that's how it is for all helmeted athletes, now that I think about it. I didn't recognize Mike Modano (i.e. Dallas Stars) either when he came over to chat with members of the crew I was with when I was in Miami for the NBA Finals, in 2006.
Lunched at The Tides with friends and took in the scene. The weather was comfortable, not too hot and not too cold. It was actually perfect.
After lunch we went back to the ESPN set to watch part of the Pardon the Interruption taping. We missed the taping of the Deion segment, but c'est la vie. Watching the taping got a little boring so went to check out the other production tents, but there seemed to be nothing going on at the NFL Network and other ESPN set. We went to watch the rest of the PTI taping from inside the gate and behind the set, and I was introduced to J.A. Adande.
Taping finished and we all rolled back to get some drinks, kill time, and catch up before everyone disbanded ~ some had to go to dinner, clean up, and/or wanted to catch other games on tv before going out "for real". It's only Thursday and some of us just got to town, so we're still settling into the scene.
Incidentally, we were talking music, and I've determined that Norah Jones is the female James Taylor.
I ran into the guys from the plane last night, walking on Ocean Drive, on my way back to my brother's place. Very random.
According to the crew I was wih, the NFL Players Association and the NFL Players party is combined this year and being held at the Viceroy.
The NFL Commissioner's party is tomorrow night in Laudy and I'll be there.
For all you gamblers out there, I got a text from my friend that the line moved to Indy -4.5... I like the Colts even more now.. My guess is that it moved because people are scared that Freeney won't play and money started moving to the Saints...
Ok - that's it for now...
Cleveland is up 49-45 over the Heat. GO CAVS!!!
I'm hungry... Off to dinner ~ Argentinian steakhouse ~ LOOK OUT :-P
THE WIRK
Saw Sean Merriman walking off the set when I got to the meeting spot. I didn't know who he was, until my friend told me. Yeah ~ it's football. Unless you're wearing a jersey and actually playing on the field during game day ~ I probably won't recognize you. I guess that's how it is for all helmeted athletes, now that I think about it. I didn't recognize Mike Modano (i.e. Dallas Stars) either when he came over to chat with members of the crew I was with when I was in Miami for the NBA Finals, in 2006.
Lunched at The Tides with friends and took in the scene. The weather was comfortable, not too hot and not too cold. It was actually perfect.
After lunch we went back to the ESPN set to watch part of the Pardon the Interruption taping. We missed the taping of the Deion segment, but c'est la vie. Watching the taping got a little boring so went to check out the other production tents, but there seemed to be nothing going on at the NFL Network and other ESPN set. We went to watch the rest of the PTI taping from inside the gate and behind the set, and I was introduced to J.A. Adande.
I found the equipement interesting...
Water break
Catching up with Brian, while our friend works...
Taping finished and we all rolled back to get some drinks, kill time, and catch up before everyone disbanded ~ some had to go to dinner, clean up, and/or wanted to catch other games on tv before going out "for real". It's only Thursday and some of us just got to town, so we're still settling into the scene.
Incidentally, we were talking music, and I've determined that Norah Jones is the female James Taylor.
I ran into the guys from the plane last night, walking on Ocean Drive, on my way back to my brother's place. Very random.
According to the crew I was wih, the NFL Players Association and the NFL Players party is combined this year and being held at the Viceroy.
The NFL Commissioner's party is tomorrow night in Laudy and I'll be there.
For all you gamblers out there, I got a text from my friend that the line moved to Indy -4.5... I like the Colts even more now.. My guess is that it moved because people are scared that Freeney won't play and money started moving to the Saints...
Ok - that's it for now...
Cleveland is up 49-45 over the Heat. GO CAVS!!!
I'm hungry... Off to dinner ~ Argentinian steakhouse ~ LOOK OUT :-P
THE WIRK
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
It's tough to be a Celtics or Hornets fan right now ~ Go Cavs, Go Caps, Go Colts!!!
Basketball
1. Wouldn't be surprised if Paul Pierce sits out a few games. Might as well rest the foot/ankle, until after All-Star break.
2. Ray Allen to be traded? I think it's a mistake. I like Ray Allen as a Celtic and his 3 point prowess... He's the Celtics version of John Starks... I like his 3P%age (about 33 percent) and his 15 PPG. Admittedly, I'm not a GM so I have no idea what he's making.
3. Would hate to be a Celtics fan right now, with all these headaches and KG back in the game.
4. Celtics don't scare Cavs fans!
5. Boobie Gibson is getting it done in Cleveland! Cavs won 9 is a row last night as they beat Memphis. I'm going to have to look for my "Got Boobie" T-shirt...
6. Incidentally I was playing on Twitter and saw NBATVChris (aka Chris Webber) ask if anyone thought Memphis was going to beat the Cavs last night... I tweeted back that there would be no upset in Cleveland and that the Cavs would win. Chris, I was right!
7. Chris Paul to have surgery. That's really unfortunate for him and the NO Hornets, who currently are in the 9th spot in the West. Sorry Hornets fans... There's room for you on the Cavs bandwagon... We'll welcome you with open arms. Hornets don't scare Cavs fans either!
8. NBA-All Star next weekend in Dallas ~ I need to start planning my trip!!!
Hockey
1. Capitals have won 11 in a row, but I won't be able to check them out until March. They're away A LOT this month and I'm headed to the Super Bowl this weekend.
2. The Caps should beat the Rangers easily on Thursday night ~ just a hunch...
3. Whoever is in charge of setting NHL hockey schedule needs to get fired. Why would you have the Capitals play the Penguins on Super Bowl Sunday?!?! It makes no sense and at a minimum completely inconveniences ME, since I would've liked to have been there in-person to see the match-up at the Verizon Center! Seriously, the first time these 2 teams met this year (last month), they were up against the Lakers v the Cavs in Cleveland. I remember that, because I was in Cleveland watching LeBron et al ball... I have no idea what cave the NHL schedulers are hanging out in ~ but I hope they get their acts together and position the marquee matchups better next year.
Football
1. Dwight Freeney will play. He has to... It's the Super Bowl. GO COLTS!!!
Other
1. Still looking at logos for TheWirk.com. I've seen so many mock-ups, that I've got a headache...
Alright, I'm done ~ I need to head to the airport "soon"... Miami here I come...
THE WIRK
1. Wouldn't be surprised if Paul Pierce sits out a few games. Might as well rest the foot/ankle, until after All-Star break.
Paul Pierce walking off the court after hitting the deck
What uniform do you see Ray Allen wearing?
4. Celtics don't scare Cavs fans!
5. Boobie Gibson is getting it done in Cleveland! Cavs won 9 is a row last night as they beat Memphis. I'm going to have to look for my "Got Boobie" T-shirt...
6. Incidentally I was playing on Twitter and saw NBATVChris (aka Chris Webber) ask if anyone thought Memphis was going to beat the Cavs last night... I tweeted back that there would be no upset in Cleveland and that the Cavs would win. Chris, I was right!
7. Chris Paul to have surgery. That's really unfortunate for him and the NO Hornets, who currently are in the 9th spot in the West. Sorry Hornets fans... There's room for you on the Cavs bandwagon... We'll welcome you with open arms. Hornets don't scare Cavs fans either!
8. NBA-All Star next weekend in Dallas ~ I need to start planning my trip!!!
Hockey
1. Capitals have won 11 in a row, but I won't be able to check them out until March. They're away A LOT this month and I'm headed to the Super Bowl this weekend.
2. The Caps should beat the Rangers easily on Thursday night ~ just a hunch...
3. Whoever is in charge of setting NHL hockey schedule needs to get fired. Why would you have the Capitals play the Penguins on Super Bowl Sunday?!?! It makes no sense and at a minimum completely inconveniences ME, since I would've liked to have been there in-person to see the match-up at the Verizon Center! Seriously, the first time these 2 teams met this year (last month), they were up against the Lakers v the Cavs in Cleveland. I remember that, because I was in Cleveland watching LeBron et al ball... I have no idea what cave the NHL schedulers are hanging out in ~ but I hope they get their acts together and position the marquee matchups better next year.
NHL Playoffs, Penguins v Caps, May 2009
Football
1. Dwight Freeney will play. He has to... It's the Super Bowl. GO COLTS!!!
Other
1. Still looking at logos for TheWirk.com. I've seen so many mock-ups, that I've got a headache...
Alright, I'm done ~ I need to head to the airport "soon"... Miami here I come...
THE WIRK
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Celtics don't scare me, and I still need a ticket to the Super Bowl.... GO COLTS!!!!
List of thoughts because I'm too tired to write paragraphs right now.
Basketball
1. Yesterday, Pat's dad couldn't go to the game Celtics v Wizards game, so I got called up. Thanks, Pat. He's a Celtics fan so I compromised and wore lime green. I will not put a Celtics hat on my head.
2. I said to bet the Celtics -5. If you did, you WON. The Celtics didn't really play until the 4th Q, so sorry if you had to sweat it out.
2. The Celtics are not scary. As a Cavs fan, they'll have to show me more, before I BEGIN to consider them a credible threat in the East. Garnett is definitely NOT back, even though he's playing.
3. The only scare of the game happened when Paul Pierce went down, but he got back up and continued playing ~ eventually.
4. The Wizards are running some sort of promotion now through Chik Fil-A. Chik Fil-A picks a player on the visiting team, and if that player misses both of his free throws, everyone in the arena gets a free sandwich. Thank you, Big Baby Davis ~ for your poor shooting and my free lunch tomorrow (i.e. if I can drag myself out of my apartment and into the cold).
5. Can't watch another Wizards game for a long time. Enough is a enough. I walk out of the Verizon Center stressed out, and this is not good.
6. I caught/picked up one of those free give away balls that they throw out into the crowd. I was not standing and waving for it like a 6 year old child. This proves you can get free stuff by sitting and "playing it cool".
6. Watching ESPN Sportscenter, and I'm disgusted. You'd think Kobe Bryant walked on water last night. Yes, I get it. He's the all-time leading scorer for the franchise. However, in my opinion, he's NOT the best Laker ever. If you make me choose between Kobe or Magic ~ I'll take Magic any day. To me, Magic is the Lakers' heart.
7. Working on plans for NBA All-Star weekend.
8. I'm not Oprah and the last thing I want to do is read/sell books, but here's one for you. I came across my copy recently, and it started me thinking. If you've never read "Homecourt Advantage" by Rita Ewing and Crystal McCrary ~ check it out. It reads quickly and will give you a good idea of what it's like to be a WAG in the NBA.
Football
1. Headed to Miami on Wednesday night/Thursday morning for the Super Bowl. I need/want to be on the ground for all the festivities.
2. Dwight Freeney and a torn ligament?!?! Oh no!!!! Dwight, please play!!!!! GO COLTS!!!!
3. I need a ticket to the Super Bowl. Still.
Other
1. Working on a logo for TheWirk.com
2. Trying to come up with other sports ideas/events for this blog.
3. Apologies to my trivia team, who I ditched to go to the game last night.
4. Shout out to Fogdog and the Bryant brothers who I saw/ran into while at the game.
THE WIRK
Basketball
1. Yesterday, Pat's dad couldn't go to the game Celtics v Wizards game, so I got called up. Thanks, Pat. He's a Celtics fan so I compromised and wore lime green. I will not put a Celtics hat on my head.
2. I said to bet the Celtics -5. If you did, you WON. The Celtics didn't really play until the 4th Q, so sorry if you had to sweat it out.
Final score
2. The Celtics are not scary. As a Cavs fan, they'll have to show me more, before I BEGIN to consider them a credible threat in the East. Garnett is definitely NOT back, even though he's playing.
3. The only scare of the game happened when Paul Pierce went down, but he got back up and continued playing ~ eventually.
Paul Pierce getting treated on the bench.
4. The Wizards are running some sort of promotion now through Chik Fil-A. Chik Fil-A picks a player on the visiting team, and if that player misses both of his free throws, everyone in the arena gets a free sandwich. Thank you, Big Baby Davis ~ for your poor shooting and my free lunch tomorrow (i.e. if I can drag myself out of my apartment and into the cold).
5. Can't watch another Wizards game for a long time. Enough is a enough. I walk out of the Verizon Center stressed out, and this is not good.
6. I caught/picked up one of those free give away balls that they throw out into the crowd. I was not standing and waving for it like a 6 year old child. This proves you can get free stuff by sitting and "playing it cool".
Yeah, I like free stuff
7. Working on plans for NBA All-Star weekend.
8. I'm not Oprah and the last thing I want to do is read/sell books, but here's one for you. I came across my copy recently, and it started me thinking. If you've never read "Homecourt Advantage" by Rita Ewing and Crystal McCrary ~ check it out. It reads quickly and will give you a good idea of what it's like to be a WAG in the NBA.
Football
1. Headed to Miami on Wednesday night/Thursday morning for the Super Bowl. I need/want to be on the ground for all the festivities.
2. Dwight Freeney and a torn ligament?!?! Oh no!!!! Dwight, please play!!!!! GO COLTS!!!!
3. I need a ticket to the Super Bowl. Still.
Other
1. Working on a logo for TheWirk.com
2. Trying to come up with other sports ideas/events for this blog.
3. Apologies to my trivia team, who I ditched to go to the game last night.
4. Shout out to Fogdog and the Bryant brothers who I saw/ran into while at the game.
THE WIRK
Monday, January 18, 2010
2 stadiums, 2 days, 2 games: Indianapolis for the Colts and Minneapolis for Vikings
On Monday morning, I decided I wanted to see the Ravens play the Colts on Saturday, so I booked my flights using 25K Delta frequent flier miles, paid my redemption fee of $100, and picked up a couple of tickets for the game. I figured, I'd sell the extra or take my dad. Either way, I had a plan. When trying to move my extra, I was given the same response multiple times, "If I was going to travel, I'd rather see the Cowboys play the Vikings on Sunday." Soooooo, I went back to Delta.com and noticed I could go to both Indianapolis and Minneapolis for the same amount of miles. And then, I started thinking... I paid a $100 AGAIN (for the stupid ticket change fee) and I was in motion to attend both games! The next thing to do, was to get tickets to the Vikings game, and once I had those, I knew what I had to do...
I go to my friend's facebook page to look for clues as to if he's "available" for the trip. He is my sports buddy. We've been friends for about 8 years now. We used to work together briefly, and he used to be roommates with my ex-boyfriend's friends. Usually Vegas is our destination of choice, but (1) if there's anyone who enjoys a trip to a sporting event more than me and (2) has the frequent flier miles to do the crazy things I want to do ~ it's him. Based on his page, it looks like he's around, but he hasn't responded to a comment I've left about going on a football tour, sooooooooooooo it's time to hit the phones.
I call him and he picks up right away. This is unique, because usually he'll send me to voicemail when he knows I'm looking to get away. Later he tells me, he knew I was calling about football and not Vegas, and that's why he answered. I tell him my plan: 2 cities, 2 stadiums, 2 days all for 25K miles on Delta. He's intrigued. He asks where we're staying and I tell him we don't need a hotel since the Saturday game is late and will end around midnight. My plan was to go out on Sat night, find a 24 hour diner (e.g. IHOP, Waffle House, etc.) to kill time, and head to the airport whenever I couldn't take it anymore. He asked about rental car. I told him we didn't need that either. Why would we want a car? We'd have to park it, gas it up, and drive it. All too much headache when going to a game and planning to go out after. I told him my plan was to cab it.
He challenges me to find an itinerary for the destinations (but he's starting from and must return to Oklahoma City, where he's currently working) for the same amount of miles and if I do, he'll pull the trigger. I can already hear him typing in the background through the phone. He's checking flights himself, which means if Delta lets it happen ~ then we're ON. Great. He has to run to a meeting, and as we end the call, he asks me why I didn't book the direct flight from Indy to Minneapolis... Sure enough, he's even found a better flight option than me, since I'm connecting through Detroit. Now I'm annoyed. He heads to a meeting, and I call Delta.
"Please. Please. Please. Please, Delta. Let me change my ticket AGAIN without playing the change fee," is my prayer while I wait for the representative to work her magic. I wait. Sure enough, she goes ahead voids the other ticket(s) and issues me new ones. I do NOT pay them any more fees. YEAH, DELTA!!!!
Coincidentally, his meeting ends shortly and he tells me he's booked the flights. I tell him we're on the same leg from Indy to Minny and now it's time to talk the trip through. What about luggage he asks? LUGGAGE?!?!? Is he serious? We don't need any stinkin' luggage!!! We're going away for one night. I told him my plan was to throw a camera charger, iphone charger, change of clothes, and Colgate Wisps (i.e. if you haven't seen these things check them out ~ they're awesome for trips like this) into my purse.
Colgate Wisps:
I highly endorse this product
I told him he could even just bring his chargers and buy clothes in Minny. This is not an issue. He presses on about the issue of luggage. I tell him that if it's that serious he can give whatever it is he wants to bring to the bell stand of any of the hotels that are nearby to store, because the hotels don't care as long as you tip them. He stops talking about luggage. He does say he's going to bring a trashbag of stuff for the trip. I decide, I don't care and can't tell if he's joking or not...
Saturday morning I receive a text from him that says he and his trashbag are on the way to Indy. Whatever. That's him. He's odd. I get off my plane in Indy and he is at the gate waiting for me. We hop in the cab and head to the City Centre Mall. I used to date a Colts fan, so I'd be in downtown Indy many times. He used to work in Indy. We have this city on lock. He and his laundry bag decide they need to buy a purple shirt. Evidently, we're divided on the desrired outcome of the Ravens v Colts game. Who cares. I know my Colts are going to win. Purple shirt for him, and Colts hat for me. We're done shopping.
Off to Conseco Fieldhouse to pick up tickets for the Hornets v Pacers game. The tip-off for the game has been moved up to 6PM to accommodate the Colts game, and we decide we may as well head to the game and get the picture taken, and then go to the football game. We get $10 tickets at the window. We're golden.
Off to the RAM we go because he wants to watch the Mi-ssi-ssi-ppi game. He watches and I chat it up with whoever is sitting on my left. A first it was a father-son pair, with ties to Indy who live in VA and came in for the game. Then it was a father and son combo and the son was surprising the dad with tickets to the game, since the father had never seen his Colts play in person.. Very cool. He is absorbed in his college basketball game, but eventually joins in the conversation. He feels the need to tell people that he's a "food taster for NASA". This is a lie. But, yeah, that's just so him...
We watch the beginning of the Saints beating of whoever it was they were playing and head to Conseco. I noticed he kept calling Conseco, "Canseco" (i.e. as in Jose Canseco) and corrected him earlier. I think he's playing with me because he keeps asking me what Jose's ties to Indy are and keeps asking me, "Why not McGwire Stadium or Sosa Stadim?" This is my friends. He makes me laugh.
We go to Conseco. It's almost 5:30PM. We notice that the ushers are checking tickets to enter the lower bowl of the arena. I'm not going to let an usher get in the way of my picture taking. My friend says, "We should've bought lowers". Whatever. I know we're golden, and to be honest ~ I'd be willing to bet, that anyone who's anyone has tickets to the football game anyway. So, no offense, Pacers organization, but you should be happy that we wanted to go to the game. I ask an usher which portal for half-court and blow by the old lady who's watching the entrance. "Act like you've been there" ~ it works, people. Told you we were golden! We posed for a few pictures, watched the warm-ups, and saw the tip-off. As far as we were concerned ~ that game was over and it's time to head to Lucas Oil Stadium.
Both my friend and I had never been to Lucas Oil. He has the same goal I do. He's trying to hit all the stadiums, arenas, and ballparks too ~ and he's actually ahead of me on this goal... Yeah, I'm jealous... We walk into Lucas Oil among a see of Ravens and Colts fans. The first thing I notice when I enter that stadium is that there is no center screen about the field. Weird. Considering I just came from the new Cowboys stadium, I'm a bit flustered... Weird. We watch the rest of the Saints woodshed beating of whoever that other team was, as we linger by a post with numerous power outlets and charge our iphones.
Our seats are on the 20 yd line, Colts side, 9 rows off the field. In our seats I notice a few things. We're surrounded by old people, and specifically old couples. Grey haired male and female Colts fans are everywhere, but they're excited and energetic. What a contrast from the middle-aged fraternity that was around us in Dallas.
Another thing I notice, Tony Dungy is a special guest star on the Colts' sideline and he's receiving a wonderful ovation from the crowd. This is Indy ~ the Midwest, where people are friendly, and Tony is getting all the love he deserves. Awesome. During the game, my friend starts making conversation with a guy sitting in front of us. The guy asks my friend how he and I met. "She and I met in a chatroom," he says. I could kill him, but I'm too busy trying not to laugh and don't want to encourage him. But yeah, that's just him. At the end, it was a great game ~ Colts win! Manning got it done. That's all I have to say about it. Oh - one more thing, I predict that the Colts are going to the Super Bowl.
Game over, and it's almost midnight. My friend and I head to Jillians for drinks and we decide to bowl a few games. Our waiter at the bowling alley says he's not ringing up our drinks as long as we take care of him. He is a good bowler. Who knew?!?! He started out with 4 strikes. Umm, oh well. I'll still have fun. 3 games later, we're done. I flip our waiter $20 and we head downstairs. There's a Colts fan by himself, knocked out. He's dead ASLEEP. FYI - if you need to kill time, go to the Jillian's in downtown Indy and sleep there ~ the staff doesn't care.
We decide we're hungry. Jillian's is closing and off to the 24 hour Steak and Shake we go. It's packed in there, and there's a guy getting arrested when we walk in. I'm reminded of college and med school when seeing this was common at late night eateries, that serve folks as they roll out of bars. I'm not surprised, and yet, not overly impressed. Later a kid gets chased by the police, as he walks to the bathroom... Yes, it's late night... Lol.
It's now almost 4AM and I want to head to the airport. I know it's not open (i.e. staffed by airline personnel) yet, but I want to get there and find a spot to lie down. My friend is yapping about being able to check-in, go to the gate, or something. Then he questions whether the aiport is locked. Come on! The airport is always OPEN. The issue is that the self-serve kiosk may not be "ON" and the TSA folks may not be working, but the airport is open.
I find a cushy bench and it has 2 power outlets by it. I call it "homeless person" mentality. I am tired, and I want both outlets (for my camera and iphone). My friend wants to charge his iphone also though. Now I'm annoyed. I let him unplug my phone while we were bowling when, he should've just charged his own and left mine plugged in, so we start to fight. His response was to tell me I'm not going to charge my camera battery as he unplugs the thing and walks away. I could kill him. I debate chasing after him, but decide it's not worth it since I had just realized that the RAM didn't return my credit card to me when we were there earlier in the day. AWESOME. Who cares?!?!? The RAM is closed. I can't fix it now. I lie down and close my eyes for 2 hours or so.
I head to the kiosk, check-in, and call the credit card company for a replacement. Well, that was fun. My friend comes over and brings me a charged camera battery. I decide to spare his life. He can live another day. We head to the gate and I change clothes in the bathroom. Brusha brusha brusha my teeth, clean up, and decide it's now safe to wear purple, since we're headed to Minneapolis.
We board the plane and my friend is a row ahead of me. I'm trying to fall asleep and I hear him trying to get my attention... WHAT IS IT NOW?!?! I think to myself, that I may have to take him out after all.... Then I realize he's trying to point out, subtly, that Tony Dungy is on our flight and sitting 4 rows ahead of me. I get excited and decide to spare Ricky's life AGAIN.
I have a plan. I text my friend Mike Wilbon who is also coming to Minneapolis and tell him that Tony is on my plane and ask him to intercept him for me. Then I fall asleep.
I wake up in Minny to the sun coming up, and it looks like the frozen tundra through the airplane window. I turn on my phone and tell MW that my friend and I have landed. Once off the plane, I look for Tony and check the arrivals board. We beat Mike's flight to Minny, and I see Tony Dungy waiting outside the bathroom for his wfe, I presume. I introduce myself. I think it was too early, and I was still tired, but I shake his hand and tell him that I'm a Pacers/Packers/Colts fan,,, I'm really not sure what I said, but he was gracious enough not to correct me. He poses for a quick picture and I leave him alone. Thank you, Tony! That 2 minute interaction made this Colts' fan really happy.
Now it's time to find my friend so we can eat breakfast. Mike calls, and my sports buddy and I are on or way to meet him for breakfast at one of the airport restaurants. The 3 of us eat, talk sports, and do a little shopping (i.e. I need a Vikings hat), and then head to the arena. In the car, I think the 3 of us actually close our eyes and take a nap. It's EARLY. At the Metrodome, we hop out of the car, Mike heads to work, and my friend and I take a couple of pics outside the arena before going in.
First impression: The Metrodome is old. I'm reminded of the Amway Arena where the Orlando Magic play. That building is old also. I head to my seat, and I notice another thing. The crowd is younger at the Metrodome. Much younger. There's at least a 50 year swing in age between Indy and Minny and I wonder if that's why the Metrodome is louder.
I watch Brett Favre and the Vikings destroy the Cowboys. I'm not sure what happened, but the Cowboy team I saw yesterday is not the same team I saw the week before. The difference is night and day. I really shouldn't even utter the words "Dallas" or "Cowboy" because I fear that the Vikings defense will bust through my apartment door and tackle me to the ground. The visiting team couldn't score a single touchdown and the kicker missed 2 field goals. Wow. Incidentally, I just did a quick search on Monster.com with the keyword "kicker" and there's one result. It's in Spanish. Just saying...
Vikings win ~ and they ran up the score at the end. If you ask me, I don't care, The words "Run up the score" are in their team song. Oh ~ that reminds me, I need to look up the word "Skol"....
After the game it's time to find a TV to watch the J-E-T-S v Chargers. Honestly, I'm all footballed out. I can't do it anymore. The games were so one-sided, which is fine ~ because my Colts won, but unless you're really vested in the outcome, the games were a little boring. Seriously. I know I was running on very little sleep, but I fought to stay awake in the 4th quarter of that Vikings game. Yeah... I said it. To quote Mike's text after the game, "NFL Playoffs: Where nothing happens!" Incidentally, exiting the arena, the game's attendees are listening to "Mamas don't let your babies grow up to be Cowboys" by Willie Nelson... I chuckle.
Headed to the aiport 5 for my 7PM flight home. Barely watched the football game, but did notice it was a close one... I spent my time at the gate praying that the flight was open on the way home so I could lie down and sleep in the row. My prayers were answered. Landed at DCA with my face in a pool of drool. Whatever. I was home.
I turn on my phone. "Come out for Sunday Funday," was the text I had received from a friend. "You have to be kidding me!?!?!" But then I start to think, I might as well... My friends and Sunday Funday are on the way home.... :-P
THE WIRK
I go to my friend's facebook page to look for clues as to if he's "available" for the trip. He is my sports buddy. We've been friends for about 8 years now. We used to work together briefly, and he used to be roommates with my ex-boyfriend's friends. Usually Vegas is our destination of choice, but (1) if there's anyone who enjoys a trip to a sporting event more than me and (2) has the frequent flier miles to do the crazy things I want to do ~ it's him. Based on his page, it looks like he's around, but he hasn't responded to a comment I've left about going on a football tour, sooooooooooooo it's time to hit the phones.
I call him and he picks up right away. This is unique, because usually he'll send me to voicemail when he knows I'm looking to get away. Later he tells me, he knew I was calling about football and not Vegas, and that's why he answered. I tell him my plan: 2 cities, 2 stadiums, 2 days all for 25K miles on Delta. He's intrigued. He asks where we're staying and I tell him we don't need a hotel since the Saturday game is late and will end around midnight. My plan was to go out on Sat night, find a 24 hour diner (e.g. IHOP, Waffle House, etc.) to kill time, and head to the airport whenever I couldn't take it anymore. He asked about rental car. I told him we didn't need that either. Why would we want a car? We'd have to park it, gas it up, and drive it. All too much headache when going to a game and planning to go out after. I told him my plan was to cab it.
He challenges me to find an itinerary for the destinations (but he's starting from and must return to Oklahoma City, where he's currently working) for the same amount of miles and if I do, he'll pull the trigger. I can already hear him typing in the background through the phone. He's checking flights himself, which means if Delta lets it happen ~ then we're ON. Great. He has to run to a meeting, and as we end the call, he asks me why I didn't book the direct flight from Indy to Minneapolis... Sure enough, he's even found a better flight option than me, since I'm connecting through Detroit. Now I'm annoyed. He heads to a meeting, and I call Delta.
"Please. Please. Please. Please, Delta. Let me change my ticket AGAIN without playing the change fee," is my prayer while I wait for the representative to work her magic. I wait. Sure enough, she goes ahead voids the other ticket(s) and issues me new ones. I do NOT pay them any more fees. YEAH, DELTA!!!!
Coincidentally, his meeting ends shortly and he tells me he's booked the flights. I tell him we're on the same leg from Indy to Minny and now it's time to talk the trip through. What about luggage he asks? LUGGAGE?!?!? Is he serious? We don't need any stinkin' luggage!!! We're going away for one night. I told him my plan was to throw a camera charger, iphone charger, change of clothes, and Colgate Wisps (i.e. if you haven't seen these things check them out ~ they're awesome for trips like this) into my purse.
Colgate Wisps:
I highly endorse this product
I told him he could even just bring his chargers and buy clothes in Minny. This is not an issue. He presses on about the issue of luggage. I tell him that if it's that serious he can give whatever it is he wants to bring to the bell stand of any of the hotels that are nearby to store, because the hotels don't care as long as you tip them. He stops talking about luggage. He does say he's going to bring a trashbag of stuff for the trip. I decide, I don't care and can't tell if he's joking or not...
"Luggage"
Time to negotiate tickets. Soooooo, this is my friend. He is my good friend. He's helped me through numerous break-ups, hosted me when I was in Atlanta and Vegas, and flipped me many an event/game ticket through our years together. He's invited me to go see Graceland when he's been in Memphis, and I've cancelled on a few trips we planned to Vegas the past couple of times we planned them. So, I decide, I need to come through this time and that I kind of owe him. Ricky won't have to pay what I'd charge most people for the tickets to the game BUT, he will pay. He and I both love money, and we know each other well enough not to hide it. We strike a deal. I'll take 50 cents on the dollar and he asks me if I want the cash for the tickets on Sat. Umm, yeah, definitely. *** Dad, if you read this ~ I made him pay full price...***
Saturday morning I receive a text from him that says he and his trashbag are on the way to Indy. Whatever. That's him. He's odd. I get off my plane in Indy and he is at the gate waiting for me. We hop in the cab and head to the City Centre Mall. I used to date a Colts fan, so I'd be in downtown Indy many times. He used to work in Indy. We have this city on lock. He and his laundry bag decide they need to buy a purple shirt. Evidently, we're divided on the desrired outcome of the Ravens v Colts game. Who cares. I know my Colts are going to win. Purple shirt for him, and Colts hat for me. We're done shopping.
Off to Conseco Fieldhouse to pick up tickets for the Hornets v Pacers game. The tip-off for the game has been moved up to 6PM to accommodate the Colts game, and we decide we may as well head to the game and get the picture taken, and then go to the football game. We get $10 tickets at the window. We're golden.
Off to the RAM we go because he wants to watch the Mi-ssi-ssi-ppi game. He watches and I chat it up with whoever is sitting on my left. A first it was a father-son pair, with ties to Indy who live in VA and came in for the game. Then it was a father and son combo and the son was surprising the dad with tickets to the game, since the father had never seen his Colts play in person.. Very cool. He is absorbed in his college basketball game, but eventually joins in the conversation. He feels the need to tell people that he's a "food taster for NASA". This is a lie. But, yeah, that's just so him...
We watch the beginning of the Saints beating of whoever it was they were playing and head to Conseco. I noticed he kept calling Conseco, "Canseco" (i.e. as in Jose Canseco) and corrected him earlier. I think he's playing with me because he keeps asking me what Jose's ties to Indy are and keeps asking me, "Why not McGwire Stadium or Sosa Stadim?" This is my friends. He makes me laugh.
We go to Conseco. It's almost 5:30PM. We notice that the ushers are checking tickets to enter the lower bowl of the arena. I'm not going to let an usher get in the way of my picture taking. My friend says, "We should've bought lowers". Whatever. I know we're golden, and to be honest ~ I'd be willing to bet, that anyone who's anyone has tickets to the football game anyway. So, no offense, Pacers organization, but you should be happy that we wanted to go to the game. I ask an usher which portal for half-court and blow by the old lady who's watching the entrance. "Act like you've been there" ~ it works, people. Told you we were golden! We posed for a few pictures, watched the warm-ups, and saw the tip-off. As far as we were concerned ~ that game was over and it's time to head to Lucas Oil Stadium.
Before Hornets v Pacers
Outside of Lucas Oil Stadium
Both my friend and I had never been to Lucas Oil. He has the same goal I do. He's trying to hit all the stadiums, arenas, and ballparks too ~ and he's actually ahead of me on this goal... Yeah, I'm jealous... We walk into Lucas Oil among a see of Ravens and Colts fans. The first thing I notice when I enter that stadium is that there is no center screen about the field. Weird. Considering I just came from the new Cowboys stadium, I'm a bit flustered... Weird. We watch the rest of the Saints woodshed beating of whoever that other team was, as we linger by a post with numerous power outlets and charge our iphones.
Our seats are on the 20 yd line, Colts side, 9 rows off the field. In our seats I notice a few things. We're surrounded by old people, and specifically old couples. Grey haired male and female Colts fans are everywhere, but they're excited and energetic. What a contrast from the middle-aged fraternity that was around us in Dallas.
Another thing I notice, Tony Dungy is a special guest star on the Colts' sideline and he's receiving a wonderful ovation from the crowd. This is Indy ~ the Midwest, where people are friendly, and Tony is getting all the love he deserves. Awesome. During the game, my friend starts making conversation with a guy sitting in front of us. The guy asks my friend how he and I met. "She and I met in a chatroom," he says. I could kill him, but I'm too busy trying not to laugh and don't want to encourage him. But yeah, that's just him. At the end, it was a great game ~ Colts win! Manning got it done. That's all I have to say about it. Oh - one more thing, I predict that the Colts are going to the Super Bowl.
View from the sets: Ravens v Colts
Game over, and it's almost midnight. My friend and I head to Jillians for drinks and we decide to bowl a few games. Our waiter at the bowling alley says he's not ringing up our drinks as long as we take care of him. He is a good bowler. Who knew?!?! He started out with 4 strikes. Umm, oh well. I'll still have fun. 3 games later, we're done. I flip our waiter $20 and we head downstairs. There's a Colts fan by himself, knocked out. He's dead ASLEEP. FYI - if you need to kill time, go to the Jillian's in downtown Indy and sleep there ~ the staff doesn't care.
We decide we're hungry. Jillian's is closing and off to the 24 hour Steak and Shake we go. It's packed in there, and there's a guy getting arrested when we walk in. I'm reminded of college and med school when seeing this was common at late night eateries, that serve folks as they roll out of bars. I'm not surprised, and yet, not overly impressed. Later a kid gets chased by the police, as he walks to the bathroom... Yes, it's late night... Lol.
It's now almost 4AM and I want to head to the airport. I know it's not open (i.e. staffed by airline personnel) yet, but I want to get there and find a spot to lie down. My friend is yapping about being able to check-in, go to the gate, or something. Then he questions whether the aiport is locked. Come on! The airport is always OPEN. The issue is that the self-serve kiosk may not be "ON" and the TSA folks may not be working, but the airport is open.
I find a cushy bench and it has 2 power outlets by it. I call it "homeless person" mentality. I am tired, and I want both outlets (for my camera and iphone). My friend wants to charge his iphone also though. Now I'm annoyed. I let him unplug my phone while we were bowling when, he should've just charged his own and left mine plugged in, so we start to fight. His response was to tell me I'm not going to charge my camera battery as he unplugs the thing and walks away. I could kill him. I debate chasing after him, but decide it's not worth it since I had just realized that the RAM didn't return my credit card to me when we were there earlier in the day. AWESOME. Who cares?!?!? The RAM is closed. I can't fix it now. I lie down and close my eyes for 2 hours or so.
I head to the kiosk, check-in, and call the credit card company for a replacement. Well, that was fun. My friend comes over and brings me a charged camera battery. I decide to spare his life. He can live another day. We head to the gate and I change clothes in the bathroom. Brusha brusha brusha my teeth, clean up, and decide it's now safe to wear purple, since we're headed to Minneapolis.
We board the plane and my friend is a row ahead of me. I'm trying to fall asleep and I hear him trying to get my attention... WHAT IS IT NOW?!?! I think to myself, that I may have to take him out after all.... Then I realize he's trying to point out, subtly, that Tony Dungy is on our flight and sitting 4 rows ahead of me. I get excited and decide to spare Ricky's life AGAIN.
I have a plan. I text my friend Mike Wilbon who is also coming to Minneapolis and tell him that Tony is on my plane and ask him to intercept him for me. Then I fall asleep.
I wake up in Minny to the sun coming up, and it looks like the frozen tundra through the airplane window. I turn on my phone and tell MW that my friend and I have landed. Once off the plane, I look for Tony and check the arrivals board. We beat Mike's flight to Minny, and I see Tony Dungy waiting outside the bathroom for his wfe, I presume. I introduce myself. I think it was too early, and I was still tired, but I shake his hand and tell him that I'm a Pacers/Packers/Colts fan,,, I'm really not sure what I said, but he was gracious enough not to correct me. He poses for a quick picture and I leave him alone. Thank you, Tony! That 2 minute interaction made this Colts' fan really happy.
With Tony Dungy
Now it's time to find my friend so we can eat breakfast. Mike calls, and my sports buddy and I are on or way to meet him for breakfast at one of the airport restaurants. The 3 of us eat, talk sports, and do a little shopping (i.e. I need a Vikings hat), and then head to the arena. In the car, I think the 3 of us actually close our eyes and take a nap. It's EARLY. At the Metrodome, we hop out of the car, Mike heads to work, and my friend and I take a couple of pics outside the arena before going in.
View from the seats: Pre-game, Cowboys v Vikings
First impression: The Metrodome is old. I'm reminded of the Amway Arena where the Orlando Magic play. That building is old also. I head to my seat, and I notice another thing. The crowd is younger at the Metrodome. Much younger. There's at least a 50 year swing in age between Indy and Minny and I wonder if that's why the Metrodome is louder.
I watch Brett Favre and the Vikings destroy the Cowboys. I'm not sure what happened, but the Cowboy team I saw yesterday is not the same team I saw the week before. The difference is night and day. I really shouldn't even utter the words "Dallas" or "Cowboy" because I fear that the Vikings defense will bust through my apartment door and tackle me to the ground. The visiting team couldn't score a single touchdown and the kicker missed 2 field goals. Wow. Incidentally, I just did a quick search on Monster.com with the keyword "kicker" and there's one result. It's in Spanish. Just saying...
Vikings win ~ and they ran up the score at the end. If you ask me, I don't care, The words "Run up the score" are in their team song. Oh ~ that reminds me, I need to look up the word "Skol"....
After the game it's time to find a TV to watch the J-E-T-S v Chargers. Honestly, I'm all footballed out. I can't do it anymore. The games were so one-sided, which is fine ~ because my Colts won, but unless you're really vested in the outcome, the games were a little boring. Seriously. I know I was running on very little sleep, but I fought to stay awake in the 4th quarter of that Vikings game. Yeah... I said it. To quote Mike's text after the game, "NFL Playoffs: Where nothing happens!" Incidentally, exiting the arena, the game's attendees are listening to "Mamas don't let your babies grow up to be Cowboys" by Willie Nelson... I chuckle.
Headed to the aiport 5 for my 7PM flight home. Barely watched the football game, but did notice it was a close one... I spent my time at the gate praying that the flight was open on the way home so I could lie down and sleep in the row. My prayers were answered. Landed at DCA with my face in a pool of drool. Whatever. I was home.
I turn on my phone. "Come out for Sunday Funday," was the text I had received from a friend. "You have to be kidding me!?!?!" But then I start to think, I might as well... My friends and Sunday Funday are on the way home.... :-P
THE WIRK
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