Thursday, November 02, 2006

Welcome Back!



For those of you who actually read this thing, I am alive. I have been pretty busy with school and my job, so i havent really had that much to blog about. But i had a good weekend and have some pictures i wanted to post. My parents came up from Florida this past weekend. They were celebrating their 30th anniversary with a trip up to Cape Cod in Massachusetts. Since they flew into Philadelphia, they decided to spend a day with me in Jersey. So on Saturday i spent the day with them and Michele. On Sunday they embarked on their second leg of the journey. So early sunday, Michele and I met them at IHOP for breakfast to see them off. Afterwards i had possibly the greatest day of my life. For those of you who don't know, I am a huge football fan. I spend most of my year either thinking about football, reading about football, wasting time playing Xbox football, or just throwing the football to myself as i lay on the floor in my apartment. So early this summer i circled October 29th on the calender. It was the day that my all time favorite football team (Tampa Bay Buccaneers) and my new favorite college team (Rutgers) played games on the same day in the same state. After weeks of scanning the internet for tickets, i left church sunday morning pumped up for the big day. First we (Michele and I) drove up to East Rutherford to see the Bucs take on the New York Giants at The Meadowlands. It was about 40 degrees and the wind was blowing at about 50 mph, so needless to say, anyone from Florida was not really prepared for this game. Me and the Bucs pretty much froze. The weather was definitely a factor as the receivers dropped about 60% of their passes, fumbled or muffed all the punts and kickoffs and lost the ball anytime a Giant defender hit them at any point in the game. To my surprise they actually scored, and actually kept the game close. The Giants won 17-3. After the game we hit the Jersey Turnpike for an hour ride back to New Brunswick, where we braved the cold wind and air again for a Primetime college matchup between Rutgers and UConn. Jessica (Michele's sister) kept me company most of the game and Gitti...um....i mean the Scarlet Knight stopped by to visit. It was a fun night and Rutgers won 24-13 to move their undefeated season to 8 games. It was an amazing end to an amazing weekend.


Welcome to Giants Stadium


The coin toss. It was so good to see my Bucs again. Hmm....I just realized the ref's hat is blowing away. Funny.


This is how close we were. Not too shabby. We were in the shade which made things a little more difficult but they were great seats nonetheless.


Manning under center, Plexico Burress split out, Jeremy Shockey in motion...Derrick Brooks is showing blitz.....


Bruce Almighty trying for a late comeback. As the crowd began to file out, we moved a little closer to the field.


I told Tiki that if instead of retiring, he should come to Florida and play for the Bucs where its warm. And he turned around gave me a thumbs up. Let the rumors begin?


Tiki makes a brief stop to hug Derrick Brooks while on his way to meet his brother Ronde after the game.


Me and my eskimo in our brand new Bucs gear.


I made a friend!!! And on second look, im pretty sure that this guy is "Bucco Bruce" the guy from the old school Bucs logo


One last look at the field


On the road back to New Brunswick for our second big game of the day


The troops preparing for battle.


Jess and Gitti with Elmo. That's right, he's a Rutgers fan!


Ray Rice for Heisman!


"On the Banks of the Old Raritan!"


Me and my parents


Me and Michele


My Dad thought that if we sat down he wouldn't look so short. You be the judge.