Dawgs vs. Rainbow Warriors: The Game Day Experience Vol VII

TNRLM Editor's Note: You're in for a treat. A "Special Guest Blog" from the Fabulous Freebirds, who made the trek to the Sugar Bowl. After the game, we were exchanging emails, and I suggested the guest hosting gig so someone who was actually at the game could tell us a little about the "Game Day Experience." I hoped to get a few bullet points along the lines of:

• Got drunk.
• Saw transvestite urinating in the streets.
• Lost $300 at poker.
• Got drunker.
• Listened to jazz, had hurricane, got drunker.
• Moreno for TD! Bada Bing -- (cue music) -- "you got the Know-shon."
• Colt pummeled, assures team doctor that he IS Batman, put into witness protection.
• Got drunker.
• Dawgs win!
• Flew home.

Instead, I got a recapping of the trip and game, TNRLM style, filled with superfluous and fascinating details. Awesome. So, without further ado, wish you were there, and read on....

Your usual genial host asked the Freebirds to provide him with a “guest blog” of the Sugar Bowl Experience in Nawlins. Although, I’m not sure that anyone is even slightly interested in these details, we will recount the proceedings to the best of our ability (especially given that the vast majority of our time in Nawlins, was of course, spent on Bourbon Street).

First, a note about New Orleans hotels over New Years Weekend – Extremely expensive. Once decided who was attending, a conference call between Freebird, H.B., and Mel Kiper determined that nothing in the French Quarter could be found for less than $225.00/night. So, the group decided to splurge on the Ritz for a paltry $300.00/night. It was one of those “pre-paid” stays on Travelocity in which we all prepaid for all three nights. Ms. Freebird is firmly convinced that the most comfortable place on earth is the bed at the Ritz. It was freakin’ fantastic!

As Freebird arrived home from work on Friday night the 28th, Ms. Freebird advised that the “Wee Free” had an odd looking, blotchy rash on her tummy (although she acted perfectly fine). This led to a Saturday morning trip to the doctor’s office.

It should be known that, without question, Freebird’s first concern was for his child. However, it must also be admitted that there was a bit of concern for the three non-refundable nights at the Ritz, and the already cashed in frequent flier miles. Luckily for all concerned, especially the “Wee Free”, it turned out to be a minor allergic reaction easily treated with Benadryl.

Lesson Learned: those with small children probably have no business booking non-refundable trips. However, with the good news, on Sunday evening, the “Wee Free” was dropped off in Dacula, and the Freebirds were on their way to New Orleans. The flight was uneventful, and we arrived at the Ritz at approximately 10:00 pm.

Apparently, the Hornets and Raptors had played that afternoon, and the Raptors were staying there as well. I did see an extremely tall bald headed Caucasian with a goatee, whom I thought was Matt Geiger (but a quick perusal of NBA.com indicates he last played in 2002 – so I suppose not him. I’m guessing one of the three or four Europeans on the Raptor’s roster).

HB, RB, and the Kipers met us, and although there was some question as to HB and Mel Kiper’s ability to do so, they all agreed to go out to the French Quarter with us. We went to a great blues bar, where, as usually occurs, we heard two songs, and the band went on break. (Although, we did catch the end of the Tide’s win over Colorado there).

With Big Al’s victory in hand, and the band on break, we were soon in a club where a band specializing in 70/80s rock and roll was playing. The keyboardist looked like Sammy Hagar, and the lead singer was a long haired 5’4 sample of androgyny, about whom the man/woman debate would have raged about had he not had an excellent voice.

Sammy Hagar introduced the songs, and apparently wanted to sideline in a comedy club. (Best line: I threw my radio out of my window when Nirvana hit #1 on the charts). After hanging there for a couple of hours, we found a new bar in the quarter that wasn’t too crowded, and Ms. Freebird decided she needed a shooter, so the group decided we needed one as well.

Our bartender recommended “Betsy’s Wet Dream” about which the only ingredient still remembered is “sour apple pucker”. It was served in a frozen everclear shot glass. However, not a bad shooter, all in all….. The evening gets a bit hazy from there, as we headed back to the hotel.

New Year’s Eve morning, everyone met in the lobby, where the Kipers and Ms. Freebird were privileged to see former Cowboys coach, and FOX analyst Jimmy Johnson. “See” would be correct, since it is my understanding that he was merely gawked at, not talked to. It is further my understanding that his hair was indeed slightly out of place. (The hairstylist must not have been on duty that early in the morning).

From there, a long walk around New Orleans to find a shop which sold special glasses for “Absinthe” which apparently, Ms. Kiper had been kind enough to acquire for Mr. Kiper for Xmas. There was some talk about the “green fairy”. www.absinthebuyersguide.com.

A slice of pizza for lunch, given the early New Years Eve planned, and a trip to Pat O’Briens. A few samples from their drink list, some viewing of the “Smurf Turf” bowl game, and back to the Ritz for a quick nap. Gandalf was also seen on the streets of New Orleans.

New Years Eve dinner was at 6:00 at MiLa. Several other members of the crew also joined us for dinner. Great six course meal. I went with the venison as my main entrée – Mz. Freebird with the poussin (Freebird did know, and was able to advise the table that this was chicken – two years of high school/one year of college French finally pay off).

Great red wine, but I can’t remember what it was. After the AMEX caught fire from having paid our portion of the bill, we went out on the town. The entire Pogo family (sans the parents) wound up joining us for the evening. We wound up back at the same bar with Sammy Hagar/Androgynous Singer Band and a few of the ladies wound up on stage.

Attempted to eat at Krystal on the way home (Krystal in the French Quarter – what an outstanding idea), but after a thirty minute wait in line, settled for snacks from Walgreens.

On New Years, we received an early morning call from the Kipers that they were at Ryans on Decatur Street (Irish Sports Pub – not a steak house) where Wisconsin/Tennessee were kicking off at 10:00 am central time. Mel Kiper is a Wisconsin grad.

Ms. Freebird, despite strong Tennessee leanings, was not quite ready for kickoff, and we arrived in the 2^nd Quarter. (Ms. Freebird would like to add a note here: I was texting Ms. Mel Kiper as to their location a long time before the hubby even rolled over. I was being courteous by letting my man sleep……and then I get the blame for delaying us! BOO!) The libations begin early in the French Quarter, and by the end of the SEC’s fourth bowl victory, we were ready to continue on.

The Kipers and HB went back for a nap, Mz. Freebird and I headed to Harrahs for a little entertainment and lunch. Didn’t work out too well for us. You win or lose quickly with $25.00 minimum tables. Unfortunately, it was losses for us, and we were on to the Hilton for a special pre-game edition of the Fifth Quarter Show. After that, an “economically” priced van was arranged to transport the group to the Superdome for kickoff, and great tickets in the 200 level were provided by DJ.

The game itself: what can you say? It was quite obvious from the beginning that Hawaii was greatly overmatched. A finer example of “Look Out” blocking has never been demonstrated.

Georgia usually only rushed four, and with Hawaii in a quick paced run and shoot, you would expect Colt Brennan to occasionally have time to throw. Unfortunately for the third place Heisman finisher, he was pummeled unmercifully on almost every opportunity to pass by Georgia’s speed rush, and the Dawgs tackling was great when he did complete his dink and dunk passes.

(Ms. Freebird speaking) One source of disappointment for me was that Kregg Lumpkin did not score a touchdown. I wanted UGA to give him the ball 3 times at the end of the game, but I guess it wasn’t in the cards.

Ms. Freebird really wanted to see the “soulja boy” dance, but was denied despite the promise of some man next to Freebird at the bathroom urinal who promised (through his inside sources) a team dance to soulja boy…..who can you trust these days?

The Freebirds felt badly for Hawaii’s fans who turned our in great numbers, given their travel time and expense to get to this game. However, as Falcons season ticket holders, there was a bit of retribution in UGA’s exposure of the June Jones gimmick offense.

Back to the Ritz after the game, and back to Ga. on Wednesday. Recovery process appears to be almost complete as of Friday evening.