Have fun without LB

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AlphaDummy · #26 Post by **AlphaDummy** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:30 pm

We parked at my hotel, not so many blocks from the Metrodome, and then took advantage of the perfect weather to walk to the game. Except for the just-mentioned jaunt to Kusch's daughter's apartment, everything was within walking distance for the weekend, which was a Good Thing.

Unless you were wearing Panther jerseys on your way to the game.

Actually, it wasn't bad at all. Kay and Skoop took some good-natured ribbing along the way, but it wasn't anything of a truly hostile nature in the least. However...in an act that was equal parts craven cowardice and basic survival instinct, I had decided to leave my Packer gear at home. Had I been planning ahead, I should have worn my green and gold, the better to draw any hostile action away from the lovely ladies who were accompanying me. We had no reason to worry, however (although there was a sign on the outside of the Dome reminding us that firearms were prohibited...hmmmm.....), and we were soon in our seats.

If you have never been to a Viking home game, I must tell you that nobody else does "freaking loud" quite like the Vikes. Now, I love Led Zeppelin's "Immigrant Song". Especially at high volume. But "high volume" does not necessarily mean that you should be able to hear it on Neptune. Still, that is what was playing when the teams took the field. The fireworks...the sound effects...and that damn "Skoal Vikings" song...I will be hearing this for weeks - once I get my hearing back.

I do have to tip my hat to the Viking faithful...they really do know how to have fun. Some of the costumes were really very funny/clever. As for the cheerleaders: yes - drop-dead, NFL-style gorgeous. They were evenly distributed around the perimeter of the field throughout most of the game - except for one incident where they all congregated in the far end zone for a routine.

Gee, Mike...what did you have on your end of the field while the babes were all as far as possible from you?

Well...the best way I can describe what we had at our end was a bald MAWG who looked like the product of an ill-advised liasion between a love-starved Viking warrior and a most-likely-uncooperative North American bison. He actually had some pretty good dance moves, though, and earned a well-deserved ovation...probably a lot more than what the cheerleaders got down at the other end.

Accounts of the on-field action are available elsewhere, of course, so we will skip ahead to the evening, post-nap...details coming shortly.

AlphaDummy · #27 Post by **AlphaDummy** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 8:56 pm

By now it was down to the Panther girls and myself. We had asked at our respective hotels as to where we might find a good sports bar where we might be able to hang out and watch the Packers knock the poo out of the Cowboys. The highest recommendation went to a place called the Ugly Mug. We arranged to meet there around 7. Somewhere close to the appointed hour, I realized that this place was not quite where I thought it should be. I called the ladies (they had not yet arrived at the appointed destination either), and we pretty much cleared up our geographic concerns. A couple more blocks of walking and I was there. It didn't take long to figure out that this was not going to be our final destination. Waiting outside, I saw them coming from a block away. Coincidentally, they were able to hear the music emanating from the bar that same block away. Given that the place really was a dive, and about as loud as the Metrodome, we decided that it was time to improvise. Our backup location turned out to be much more suitable...so there we were. By halftime, though, we all realized it was time to call it a night. We made some plans for Monday breakfast, and then headed back for a good night's sleep.

Up and at'em this morning, with the plan being a meet-up for breakfast, after which I would take them to the airport. Needless to say, I was not going to walk the eight blocks from my place to theirs this time; the subsequent jaunt to the airport was well beyond walking distance, baggage or no baggage. Making the long story short: Two laps around the block (and then some) convinced me that the parking in that area sucked. I finally saw the girls pointing to a "Parking" sign that I had missed previously, and entered the parking structure. I will leave you to imagine some of the colorful phrases that were put to use in the privacy of my car...

Just about the time they were ready to file a missing person report with the Minneapolis PD, I emerged from a building around the corner none the worse thanks to an eight-story search for a parking space. One more good meal spiced with equally good company, and then it was off to the airport on a remarkably uneventful ride - hopefully the prelude to equally uneventful flights for Kay and Skoop.

I would like to add my thanks here to everybody for helping to make things come together over the weekend - and, most of all, for taking the time to get meet up. No...I'm not going to get all sappy on you now. I will say, though, that I am never disappointed when I get a chance to catch up with others in this big ol' cyberfamily. And this time around was no exception...it was time well spent with some very good friends. Thanks, everybody!

One more thing...my game ticket was for row 21, seat...9.

Luckily, Kusch let me have 10 instead.

kayrharris · #28 Post by **kayrharris** » Mon Sep 22, 2008 9:06 pm

Great recap, AD!

I agree with everything you said. Ellyn and I made it to Atlanta fine. She even survived my driving though Atlanta traffic to Decatur to meet a friend of hers from Charlotte who has recently moved there.

We did a bit of shopping at the Decatur Farmers Market and had a lovely dinner. I got home about 8:30 this evening. I'm unpacked and ready to rest up for a busy week.

It was a pleasure meeting you, Kusch, Kayak and Kusch's lovely daughters.
It was a delightful trip!

Ritterskoop · #29 Post by **Ritterskoop** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 12:40 am

AlphaDummy wrote: Our backup location turned out to be much more suitable...so there we were.

Sneaky Pete's, for whoever visits Minneapolis next.

I loved seeing PAFBoy twice over the weekend (I rode the train to Atlanta Saturday morning before the flight), and it was great fun to meet Kayak and kusch's daughters. Too bad we let them down by seeming to be normal.

As for the game, we missed our starting left tackle far more than I thought. That's not an excuse but an explanation. He should be back next week.

ulysses5019 · #30 Post by **ulysses5019** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 1:32 am

Who won the game?

kusch · #31 Post by **kusch** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:46 am

ulysses5019 wrote:Who won the game?

Try reading the paper on Monday morning or watch a sports show on Sunday night .

cindy.wellman · #32 Post by **cindy.wellman** » Tue Sep 23, 2008 8:50 am

I think it is quite humorous that all the replies and recaps are still in the "Have fun without LB thread" HA HA!

It did sound like quite the fun get together! I liked Skoop's comment about appearing to be so 'normal' LOL

Thanks for sharing the stories.