When I moved to New York, there were certain things I knew I’d have to give up. Driving a car. Being there for every shower/engagement party/wedding. Going to all of the UGA football games.
Yet on Tuesday night last week, I realized I had a burning, deep desire to be at the Dawgs’ season opener. I just couldn’t miss it.
So, I did what any reasonable person would do and booked the first flight I could find to Dallas, Texas. Never mind that the game was four hours away in Stillwater, Oklahoma. My friends had thought of everything and secured a place to crash and a party bus bound for gameday glory.
I arrived on Friday and found my friend Colin’s apartment full of some of my favorite people and a few already empty cases of beer. I mentally prepared for the bender ahead and joined them in a few libations. We went through several rounds of pitchers over dinner, but generally took it easy in preparation for the big day.
Even though 6:30 came early, I literally sprung out of bed at the first sound of my alarm. GAMEDAY. Even with a full house of 14 sharing just 2 bathrooms, we were out the door and on the road promptly at 8 a.m. with the first round of beers, mimosas and bourbon and cokes poured at 8:01.
Our DJ Kevin kept us entertained with a solid playlist, and bartender Colin kept the cocktails flowing. Even a double tire blowout on the party bus didn’t slow us down, and in fact, it was more of a contributing factor to the fun.
The ladies smuggled airplane bottles in their bras, à la freshman year, and the party continued throughout the game.
We’re just going to pretend that nothing at all happened for the next three and a half hours or so. NOTHING. No embarrassing offense. No lack of defense. No absurd play calling. NADA.
The ride back was more somber, but truly not even a disappointing game outcome could ruin the weekend. There may not be that many more years when all of us can drop everything for a bender weekend of college football, but I plan to stretch it along as far as I can.
JLH
