Pour some sugar on me: Sugar Bowl Road Trip 2012

As I mentioned in my last post, my dad scored us some tickets for the Allstate Sugar Bowl in New Orleans a few weeks ago. However, at the time I wrote that post, I had no idea just how awesome our trip would turn out to be, thanks to some last-minute suite arrangements.

On Monday morning, Doug and myself headed to Hertz to pick up our rental car. On the way there, it started snowing fairly heavily, the first real snow this winter here in Cincinnati. We shook our heads at our luck, but didn’t think much about it until the way back to my house, when a large Suburban hit some black ice and spun 180 degrees right into the lane, and right into Doug’s path (I was leading about five-car lengths ahead, and watched the whole scene in my rear view mirror). Somehow by the grace of God, Doug was able to swerve at the last-minute and miss the other vehicle. However, this caused both us to be a little more tense as we made our way out-of-town that morning. However, by the time we reached Nashville, the weather started letting up, and it was relatively smooth sailing the rest of the way into Birmingham.

That night, we stayed with my friend Patty. We invited a few of my other fraternity brothers over for some pizza and beer while we watched the Fiesta Bowl, praying for an Oregon victory (with the room being predominantly Bama fans, there was a strong anti-Cowboy sentiment). Before the night was over, however, my Dad called to check in and make sure we were on schedule. At that time, he dropped a little gem on me, “Hey, just to let you know, I was actually given some suite tickets, so we’ll probably check those out and decide whether we want to sit up there or in our seats down on field level.”

Doug and I got into New Orleans around 1:30, and after a few hours of revelry on Bourbon St. and the French Quarter, we eventually met up with my Dad and his stepson-in-law, Dean. We decided to go straight to the suite and check it out. What did we find? A suite on the 45 yard-line, with plenty of TVs for replay purposes. What else did we find? Free beer. A whole two boxes of beer had been left by the previous suite occupants. The choice, my friends, was clear. However, at no point did we realize just how great this night would become. Eventually, the occupants of the suite next to us appeared. They were a group of student-athletes’ being recognized for the civic leadership. Who was among them? The newest Heisman Trophy winner, Robert Griffen III, better known as RGIII! As you’ll see in the picture, we eventually grabbed his attention and got some pics with him. In the same booth, we also ran into former Michigan coach and the last man to lead the Wolverines to a National Championship, Lloyd Carr. Did I even mention yet that Michigan won????

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I can’t say enough how fun this trip was, even if it was an exhausting marathon of driving. Thanks to my Dad for the tickets, and thanks to Doug for being a willing co-conspirator.

Iowa gets all caucused up

At the same time we were stalking RGIII, Iowans were meeting up in their respective counties to caucus for the Republican Presidential Primary. In the days before the elections, candidate Rick Santorum began to have a last-minute surge, based on the fact that the evangelical base of the state came to their senses on Newt Gingrich. He did not squander this opportunity, and came within 8 votes of the eventual declared winner, Mitt Romney. If I’m Romney, I couldn’t have asked for a better result. Not only did I win a state that I haven’t really campaigned in all the heavily (at least compared to NH and other states), but now my main rivals are all knotted up competing for the same votes. Romney will most likely cruise on to victory in NH, and the question will be whether Santorum can raise up in the polls enough to claim at least a partial victory, whether Huntsman can make any final move (he just received the endorsement of New England’s largest paper, the Boston Globe), or whether Paul or Gingrich can grab some extra steam headed into the South.  (For giggles, here’s how The Daily Show broke down the caucus results).

At the end of the day, I think this just goes to show that this race is still just Romney’s to lose, and I don’t see him loosing it. Too much money, too much ruthless efficiency. He’s the robot candidate, and you must submit to his will.

Thoughts at the closing bell:

• While I am excited about the return of Michigan basketball, I must admit, my sports fan fire is about to go into hibernation mode once the Lions get bounced from the playoffs in the first round by the Saints. Can we fast forward to March Madness and the arrival of pitchers and catchers to Spring Training?
• This clip is from the December 17th SNL with Jimmy Fallon. It’s Beethoven introducing his orchestra. In case you missed it, you’re welcome.
• The rumors continue to grow that Will and Jada Pinkett Smith are getting divorced. If that means he’ll get back to kickin out these sweet jams, than divorce away.
• Economic reports today indicate that the economy added 200,000 jobs and the Unemployment rate fell to 8.5% this month. If it gets down to 8% by this summer, do ahead and put in your wagers for a second Obama term. That’ll be solid money.

That’s all for now, kids. One love to you all.

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