Purely Pathetic

That’s the Irish.  I love ‘em, but man they stink.  How could they blow a lead on senior night?  How could they lose to a team that only beat two non-ranked squads: Northwestern and Louisville this season?  How can a team who’s mascot is “The Orange” win with Touchdown Jesus watching?

So there were like 5 inches of snow that had to be cleared from the stadium before the game.  And the parking was limited because of the snow piles.  Who cares if it was a mere 27 degrees with a wind-chill of 17 degrees?  Surely the boys have learned how to cope with the Northern Indiana winters by now.  There is really no excuse for what Armando called “the most boring game in football this season”…and the booing fans let the home team know all about it.

Well, next week is the last game of the 2008 season.  (Unless they get invited to The Washout Bowl).  And it’s against USC.  It’s going to be a massacre.  I probably don’t want to even watch it.  Anyone want to go out next Saturday night?

Purdue bites the dust!

Yesterday morning was cool as Mom, Megan, Danni and I (all clad in new Irish tees) headed to the tailgate with the crazy ND fans.  The boys had been there since 6:00am, and were feeling good by the time we arrived.  Doug and Connor joined us in our shopping spree and short walk through campus.  Just when we’d had enough Absinthe, Steve, Dave, Tony and I headed into the stadium where the announcer told us that the weather for today’s game was “in a word: Perfect.”  We chanted and cheered (and even did The Wave) for our boys who scored nearly every time they touched the ball. 

But of course, by the second half this little Floridian was getting chilly and looking forward to wearing my jacket, which was in Big Daddy’s car.  After a 38-21 Victory, we made our way back to the tailgate to find Big Daddy’s car…missing!  Apparently “the Green Fairy” had gotten to him , and for what must be the first time in history, he didn’t go into the game.  We hitched a ride with Dave over to Tony’s where Doug and the girls were eating pizza (Yep…more pizza.  I’ll be all carbo-loaded for training next week ).  When we finally made it home at 10:00pm, the Victory Cookies were waiting for us on the table!  GO IRISH!!!

Triple F

I’m about to head to the airport for “Triple F”…that’s Friday Family Fun.  After the drive from Indy with Steve, Stacy and Maddie, we’ll enjoy my favorite hometown pizza: Rossini’s.  Doug will bring his kids home and we’ll watch Obama win the debate.  Tomorrow we’ll be up early (but not too early…this ain’t ultrarunning!) for a day at the Notre Dame vs. Purdue game.  With any Irish luck, we’ll be enjoying Victory Cookies (made by Mom this time) after the game.  Sunday will be a day of more family fun, too much food and birthday celebrations for my niece and favorite 13-year-old nephew (I can only say that for a little while longer…another boy is on the way!).  Then the drive back to Indy and back to the grind Monday afternoon.  I’m looking forward to getting spoiled for the weekend at home!

Notre Dame stomps Michigan!!!

Notre Dame has been battling Michigan since 1887…clearly one of the oldest rivalries in college football history.  Michigan and Notre Dame respectively rank #1 and #2 in all time wins and in winning percentage.  So you can imagine how sweet the Victory Cookies tasted yesterday after a rain-soaked win over the Wolverines.  The Irish shook down the thunder from the sky….keep marching loyal sons!

Michigan-Notre Dame rivalry
Teams	Michigan Wolverines Notre Dame Fighting Irish
Originated	1887
Series	Michigan leads, 20-15-1
Current Champion	Notre Dame
Trophy	None
Michigan (20) 1887 1888(2) 1898 1899 1900 1902 1908 1942 1978 1981 1985 1986 1991 1994 1997 1999 2003 2006 2007	Notre Dame (15) 1909 1943 1979 1980 1982 1987 1988 1989 1990 1993 1998 2002 2004 2005 2008
Ties (1) 1992
Did Not Play Since 1978: 1983, 1984, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001

The Victory Cookies are ready!

Its that time of year…time for college football.  Irish Football.  .  There’s no other university with as much history and nostalgia than Notre Dame.  I started watching the Irish back in the 80′s with my high school friends.  And no matter where I move, the Irish come with me.  (It helps that NBC airs all of their home games )  I go to one game a year and tailgate at Big Daddy’s lot with my crazy brothers, parents and friends.  There’s really nothing like it .  I’ll be going home for the intra-state rivalry Notre Dame vs. Purdue in a few weeks and can hardly wait to see Touchdown Jesus and the Golden Dome shine in the fall Indiana sun.

The tradition in our home is the making of Victory Cookies .  And to be honest, I can’t even remember when I started making them…but now I make Victory Cookies for every game.  The BEST tasting Victory Cookies were the ones we enjoyed on the ride back from the FSU – ND game in Tallahassee in a bus full of crying FSU fans a few years ago.  Nothing tastes sweeter than Victory over a Florida team !

OK, so last year was a bust.  We are hopeful that the Luck of the Irish is back and that our boys are ready to kick some @$$.  Onward to Victory…