Category: Friends

Thanks to Jim, there is over a dozen of us from work at the Gopher’s game tonight. Always a good time!

The Gopher’s have been struggling lately but managed to pull away with a win.  It was a special night at the “Barn” as Trent Tucker’s jersey was retired.  It was fun to see as he has been a great Minnesota Basketball icon.

I was given two tickets to the Panthers vs Vikings game and invited Brian along but didn’t want to show up at 11:30 like I had always done in the past.  I wanted to do some tailgating!!

I searched on Vikings.com and found that there really isn’t a way for single game fans to get a tailgating spot.  So, I searched good old Google and found this post from a couple of weeks ago..

http://www.wearevikingsfans.com/Forum.aspx?g=posts&t=195

Where a guy named NodakPaul invited a complete stranger to come hang out with the gang from PurplePride.org.  I figured that I would register on the site and give it a shot myself.  I posted out on PPO and within an hour or two I received a message from Steve inviting me to come on and hang out.  He offered directions to their tent and even his cell number.  We exchanged some text messages getting some clarification on when they start and a couple of other details.  BTW, they start at about 6AM!!

Brian and I met at one of the lots by the MOA to catch the light rail at 9, we were at the Dome at about 9:40 with cooler in hand.  Then hospitality tent was right where Steve suggested it would be.  We walked up, I must say that I felt a little ackward walking up to a bunch of strangers hoping they would let us “take us in”.  A couple of guys looked over and said, “hi”.  One said, “who are you”.  I explained that Steve had invited me and that I had posted on the site just the day before.  One of the guys yells out, “here’s the new guy that registered yesterday!”.  Brian and I had a half a dozen hands extended out to greet us.  Too cool!!

I was thrown for a loop as everyone introduced themselves as Zeus, NodakPaul, Webbie, etc.  I didn’t know what that was all about and then it clicked, that was their forum nicknames.

I commented to Brian many times through the experience that it was just AWESOME that we were welcomed with such open arms.  My wife Carolyn thought I was weird because I was just going to go hang out with a bunch of strangers 🙂

We worked through the crown and met a gal named WildFan, Zeus, Jason, some Swedish dude that was violated by some bachlorette party girls, Webby (the grand master) and many others.  I’m sorry I don’t remember all the names as I had a few beverages in me!

We had pictures taken with Chuck Foreman, Ragnar and PPO folks.

We witnessed a drivable keg mobile, motorized blender, a great band that walked through and the best was Zeus doing his weekly sermon about the Purple Jesus (a name that we were told Mr. Peterson isn’t too fond of) which was hilarious.  I only wish I had gotten video of that 🙂

So, if you’re looking for a great bunch of folks to hang out with before the game, look for PPO!!!

Thanks again gang, I hope to at least come to a couple of games a year and hang out.  Brian and I have given some thought to season tickets, we’ll see how that goes over with the wives!!

Oh yeah, the Vikes also won which was nice for a change 🙂

Last night Brian, Justin and I were at the Twolves game. As we were leaving (early) I spotted Tubby approaching. I held out my hand and said, “Hi”. He shook my hand, smiled, said, “Hello” and that was the end.
I was pretty pumped and called my Dad right away to tell him 🙂
Anyhow, a cool way to end the evening!

Earlier this month Joe and I attended our first Gophers basketball game at the Barn. We had a blast. After being a season ticket holder with the Twolves for years this was a really cool experience. I hope to make it back for a Big Ten game soon.

On the 21st Darin, Don, Justin and I went to the Wolves game. Justin was the season ticket holder of the game and we sat three rows up in the bleachers. We had fun with the performance team and got to see Larry the Legend up close. It was a fun night.

Justin having fun with the ladies in the performance team

Don chilling by the Wolves bench before the game

Justin enjoying the view from the Wolves bench

Yeah, we were hanging with Larry for the night 🙂