Tag: football

  • A Noon Game?! Seriously?!

    NCSU vs. ECU… arguably one of the finest tailgates in all of North Carolina. No matter how wonderful or how poorly the Wolfpack and Pirates may be performing in the stadium… rest assured that no tailgate in the history of this meeting has ever been anything short of masterfully executed.

    A noon gametime for September 20th? GEEEEZ.

    I know that my dear NCSU is always looking for the ESPN or ESPN 2 pick-up but that makes for one sleepy tailgate. Not that I’m opposed to the “keg and eggs” spread, but that really should take place no more than once or twice per season… and never for when our real tailgating opponents are visiting. How am I supposed to function as a gracious tailgate hostess when I’ve only had a nap the evening before (because we’ll obviously start the pre-game at the bar on Friday evening).

    It’s like the BF said: ECU has been whoopin’ up on teams in the daytime – the Wolfpack should probably have aimed to switch it up on them with an evening/night game in Wolfpack territory if we hope to have any chance of emerging from the game victoriously.

    I’ll bring the FireFly’s Sweet Tea Vodka… who’ll sign up to bring the mimosas and bloody marys? (Adrianne and Laura… this is your official call-out. ;-))

  • I Am SO Embarrassed

    I was SO embarrassed to open my email this morning. Not because of the 34-0 final score, but because the morning GoPack.com email story about the status of our injured QB from last night’s game that included a dramatic picture of the team kneeling to pray for Russell Wilson and even worse – a link to “buy picture” right below it.

    Now, I realize there’s a 99% chance that’s because the GoPack.com site uses a template that includes a link below ALL pictures to “buy picture”, but this is the first time I’ve noticed it… and I am not a bit impressed.

    I personally think it’s totally devoid of any class to make profit off of a very frightening incident for Wilson’s family, friends, teammates, and fans – especially only 12 hours later, especially when USC showed so much class on their own:

    BrAvEsFaN1010 (10:07:33 AM): i was actually really impressed with the sc fans
    BrAvEsFaN1010 (10:07:59 AM): they were all screaming stuff like “come on carolina, get on your knees, show some respect”
    That quote’s from a fellow NCSU ’07 alum who happened to be at the game… who saw it all first hand – and I think that says a lot.

    So hat’s off to you USC – congrats on the win and class… it sure is something you can’t buy.

  • There is Some Good News…

    Wow, that game was truly heartbreaking. Especially sitting in the back bar/billiards room at Buckhead with 50 other Wolfpack fanatics.

    Luckily for us, there was something to get us through that embarrassing game…

    I can’t believe I was able to keep it a blog secret since Monday of this week when I found out we would have our hands on it this week… I am also SO proud of our awesome GM for buying every single case that was available – we are the only bar that will be serving Firefly Sweet Tea Vodka in Wake County until later this month.

    COME AND GET IT!!!

    PS – If you have three “sweet tea vodkas” during the last half of the game… be sure to potty before leaving the bar. That was quite the excruciating 8 minute ride home tonight!

    PS #2 – We will DEFINITELY be doing quite the southern tailgate at Buckhead to celebrate the launch of Firefly Sweet Tea vodka (which even our yankee regulars love!) soon… I’ll be sure to make sure ALL of you awesome readers get an invite here!

  • Good News, Good Vibes, and Good Tunes Today

    I feel awful today – I’m running on next to nothing but I am counting down the days (and minutes) ’til Wolfpack Football and after Labor Day… which is when the BF and I can finally get away on that vacay we’re both long overdue on!

    Luckily, my daily blog reads & XM Radio are helping me through the day:

    –Why Carl Edwards is the man
    –I can’t wait to give TWC the boot
    –I don’t need a single thing… but some of my favorite causes definitely need your support. (Especially those that help our four-legged pals.)
    –My partner in crime… for so many reasons.
    The light at the end of the (Murphy Center) tunnel.
    AND XM is playing a lot of Luke, Eric, and my hometown boy – JMC – today!

    Oh, and I saw Kenny with a few of the favorites this weekend, too. Maybe THAT’S why I’m a little tired today!

  • Sweet Tea Vodka

    You heard it here first folks.

    I’d like to thank my dear e-friend, Antoine, for returning from Charleston to tell me about this wonderful phenomenon that has taken over the bars in the Low Country (who, by the way, I finally got the chance to meet in person for the first time at the Triangle Entertainment Industry Professionals Mixer last week at Deep South).

    Little did I know that the drink that I knew would be a hit here too, had already been smuggled back into NC for an engagement party the following Saturday for the BFF and her husband-to-be for our party’s enjoyment. It bewildered me to no end that you cannot legally buy this in the state of NC… yet. I’ll see what I can do.

    Ok, enough anticipation… here’s what you’ll all be driving to SC to purchase until it’s available in our closed-state liquor stores:

    By itself, cut with a typical bar beverage, or my personal favorite: added to a bit of Simply Lemonade, it is the most amazing thing to grace our southern drinking habits since… well, maybe sweet tea itself.

    I will be venturing south to round up a few (cases) of their newest addition – handles – before the first official football tailgate of the season that is quickly approaching. Hmmm… how much can you buy in SC without needing a permit?

    Let me call in Brandon for a definitive answer on this one…

    Trust me – I will figure out a way to get this into this state so that I can sell a “Little Lisa’s Firefly Sweet Tea” at Buckhead Saloon for $6.00(?) each.

    PS – Check out my 8/22 post on how to special order this at your NC liquor store!

  • Best Darn College Football Calendar

    This has got to be the handiest/neatest football scheduler EVER.

    SUPER big thanks to Lisa S. for sending it my way this morning!

    StrangestBrew’s 2008 College Football Schedulerizer

    Go ahead and grab some 11” x 17” paper from the office, print your customer calendar (by conferences or your own personal favorites), and tape it to the fridge (or frame it and hang it in the living room/game room)… I sure won’t make fun of you.

  • Obligatory Wedding Post

    I think know the South has a very awesome way of making weddings better than any other geographic region, so I read a few wedding blogs. Read: a few, not hundreds of the thousands that are out there – mostly scanning for looks and pictures I just like.

    I can’t even tell you why I enjoy a great inspiration board, especially since I constantly tell the BF we’re just going to pack up and head to Jamaica and tell everyone to meet us there for the weekend, but I just do.

    Anyway, I digress – we are in the height of wedding season and I would like to remind everyone of one thing before I throw a few fab links out there: please do not get married during football season and if you must, please do not schedule your wedding the same date as NCSU vs. UNC… I’m sorry, but I will not be able to attend. Thankfully, the BFF is marrying the biggest State fan I know – so we’re good in that department. (I don’t think he’d show up if the wedding date was November 22nd, either.)

    Anyway, here’s a few posts from the very few wedding blogs I subscribe to that were too awesome not to share:

    I hope you brides-to-be who read this blog enjoy those links (and anyone else who just down-right appreciates a great Southern wedding)!

  • The House Rules for College Football

    Thanks Ashton!

    If someone could frame this and hang it up for the games we’ll be seeing from home (very few since I have NCSU season tickets and BF has UNC season tickets)… that would be great!

    The House Rules for College Football
    by Fox Sports blogger Lisa H.
    (which is a great first name, but not the same person as the author of this blog, “Growing Up Southern”…)

    It’s getting close. Only forty-six days until the start of college football. It is now time to post the house rules. You know what I’m talking about.

    That legendary list of rules that every family needs to abide by during college football season. The list that supercedes all other lists. The list that will be copied and pasted to the front of the fridge. Read it and weep, non-college football fans.

    1- There shall be an open view of the hi-def television at all times.

    Any child that stands in front of the TV to get attention from me will be permanently disowned. Unless loss of limb or mass quantities of blood is apparent (and we are talking visible proof here), no cries of injury will be attended to by me (find Daddy if you feel like fainting). Grab a band-aid and take a Motrin. Better yet, rub some dirt on it.

    Any child who decides to show off her High School Musical 2 dance routine while a football game is being broadcasted will be offered up for adoption to Brad and Angelina. As is.

    Any persons who cross the family room floor will be sent to their rooms without dinner unless they crouch while passing in front of the screen. The crouched walk has been taught, practiced and preached- any person who walks in an (censored) position will be deemed a traitor and forced to watch Ishtar is slow motion.

    2. Nutritional needs are not a priority on Saturdays.

    Kids…here’s your chance to ask Mommy for cake and ice cream for breakfast! In fact, timing is everything. If you ask for cotton candy and deep fried twinkies while Lee Corso is deciding which mascot head to don, you’ll probably get a quick nod of the head and a swift dismissal via hand.

    Don’t expect anything home-cooked, unless you count Papa Johns pizza heating in the oven as home-made. Better yet, don’t expect anything. Period. Football season is why vitamins were made, so throw back a Barney Rubble with some OJ and quit your complaining.

    3. Demands for sex will be accepted only during certain hours of Saturday.

    Please note the following time changes for when sex will be not be accommodated: 6:30 AM -11:15 PM (PST) every Saturday will no longer be acceptable times for sex due to conflicts with college football games.

    If you feel dauncy and want to risk punishment, please feel free to solicit for sex during that time frame and watch for future schedule changes. Permanently.

    4. Notre Dame NC STATE games will be watched even if there are better games on at the same time.

    Given that the Irish Wolfpack were 3-9 last year (something equally as embarassing), this year’s team has everyone curious. Will they crash and burn or look like a BCS contender? Either way, the Aztecs v the Irish Tarheels v the Wolfpack will be akin to watching a possible train-wreck or a complete rout. It has “huge ratings” written all over it no matter what the outcome due to last year’s Navy game. If any person complains about the quality of football game viewing, please note the PIP (picture in picture) feature will be used.

    Besides, I want to see if Lou will nail his locker room pep talk.

    5. No one shall question the merits of any game being played on August 28th.

    Any person who asks why I am watching Middle Tennessee v Troy, Buffalo v UTEP, Vandy v Miami (Ohio), Eastern Michigan v Indiana State, Ball State v Northeastern, UConn v Hofstra, Cincy v Eastern Kentucky, Stanford v Oregon State, Georgia Tech v Jacksonville State, NC State v South Carolina, or Iowa State v South Dakota State on Thurday, August 28th, will be shot on site. “Shoot first, ask questions later” will be the motto of the day.

    I have waited seven long months for some college football, and frankly, the thought of watching Iowa State v South Dakota State live on television has my mouth watering.

    August 28th, the first day of college football, should be viewed as a National holiday and treated with the utmost dignity and respect.

    Every one of the games will be the most beautiful games I have ever watched, and the South Carolina v NC State, an ESPN Thursday night special, will be watched with tears in my eyes as soon as the theme music starts up. Kurt, I miss you already.

    6. From 7:00-9:00 AM PST, all requests requiring Mommy to take her eyes off the TV set will be ignored.

    Sure the show has gotten commercial, sure the two stars, Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit, have made the concept seem a little contrived, and sure Lou Holtz can be downright irritating. But after seven long months, I can’t wait for College Game Day to start.

    In fact, I’ll probably cry tears of joy as soon as I see the Home Depot desk with Lee tapping his pencil, and Kirk setting Lee up for a “Not so fast, my friend.” I’ll scream with laughter at all the goofy signs, admire the cheerleaders standing on their partner’s shoulders, and take a deep breath the second they mention my team.

    Oh yeah, the second anyone asks me, “Can I …..?” while the show is on will either get ignored or a quick nod of the head. Kids, here is your chance to go ask if you can play in traffic, set the dog on fire or try your first cup of coffee. I’m not listening. I’m in a trance.

    7. No one shall make fun of any attire worn during Saturdays.

    There comes a time when wardrobe critique from small children or spouses should be quelled. Saturdays are one of those days. (Note- spouses should take special note of the possible sex schedule being changed if too much critique is made of clothing.)

    Since I have probably not slept much Friday night due to the anticipation of College Football on Saturday, I will be looking pretty bad. Pajamas, slippers, un-brushed teeth and bedhead are to be expected until approximately 12 noon.

    Yes, I look like a witch. I also may be a little ornery, depending on whether or not my doctor has approved my request to have a temporary catheter (to avoid potty breaks) on Saturdays. (He’s thinking about it, by the way)

    I may not ever change my clothes on the day of the games because they are too exciting. Deal with it. Take the kids to the park if the sight of me is too horrid. In fact, just stay the heck out of my way until 11 PM. Then I’m all yours.

    8. Any person(s) who plays the “hide the remote from Mommy” game will suffer serious consequences.

    Yes, Saturday morning cartoons are important to all children. That’s why each child has a TV and DVD player in their own rooms. Santa Claus wasn’t born yesterday, honey. If the remote suddenly gets “misplaced” on a Saturday, the punishment will be liver and onions for lunch (home delivery, of course) and steamed brussel sprouts for dinner (frozen bag in microwave). The stench should be a poignant reminder of such foolish behavior.

    Furthermore, any comments of “more football?” or “when is it over?” will cause the the offensive mouth to be bound with duct tape. After ten years, you should know better than to say such blasphemous words and you will treated as one who has committed an act of treason. Recognize.

    9. Any phone calls from friends will be treated the same as telemarketing solicitations.

    Just what kind of friend are you if you want to know if we can go to lunch? You know I’m officially busy all day, and after all these years, your phone calls are annoying, at best.

    The phone will simply not be answered- unless it’s from my bosses from FOXSports.com, of course. All other calls will viewed as solicitation calls and will get ignored. Moreover, a secondary follow-up call on my cell phone will be viewed as harassment.

    I don’t bug you during Idol and House, M.D., so don’t bother me while I am enjoying my football.

    10. Baseball is officially non-existent on Saturdays.

    I don’t care if it’s close to the play-offs. When football is on, there is no other sport worth watching. Including baseball.

    I have suffered all Summer watching these players chase butterflies in the outfield, whiff on fast balls and overthrow to first base. I’m tired of the rally (censored) not working his magic. I’m sick and tired of A-Rod’s alleged dalliances and Giambi’s mustache.

    I need some contact sport, I need some violence, I need to see some green turf without brown dirt in the middle of it. I don’t want to see any more managers kicking dirt at the ump’s feet, I want to see Spurrier throw his visor, dang it. Out with the Cracker Jacks, in with the brats on a grill!

    The House has spoken.

    *Please note- in case of emergency (ie- devastating earthquakes, mudslides, brush fires, locusts invasions, pestilence or California falling off the face of the earth), please evacuate house and take all valuables to the nearest Red Cross Shelter. Do not spend your last fleeting moments of life begging me to leave the television for safety.

    Think of me as a postal carrier- “neither rain, sleet, snow, or hail”…blah blah. I’m not letting a catastrophe from keeping me from my mission.

    Besides, I’m already in heaven.

    Obviously, I added a special little spin… but you get it.

    PS – Fashionable dressing is totally acceptable if your tailgate attire of choice is from Buzz & Berly!