Categories
Friends Sports

Looking for friends in purple? Look no further than PurplePride.org!!

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 🙂

Categories
Aviation Sports

Justin and I checkout our new NBA charter plane…

The seats were different than our regular business class seats.  They are very nice!  Notice the brown chairs for the coaches with the raising table.  The swivel out and turn around.  The tray’s even fold up to hold a magazine or book for you.

Categories
Sports

Garnett wins a championship!

It took a few years and a jersey change but Kevin Garnett aka “Da Kid” and later “The Big Ticket” is a champion. I’ve had Twolves tickets for eight seasons and always have enjoyed watching him play. In the early years with KG and Steph, my Dad and I would stay up late and pace in the basement in the forth quarter hoping for a win he has always played hard and I never saw him take plays off. I was sad to see him go but happy for him to move on last year.

Even though he’s no longer a Wolf, I was still pumped to see him pull it off!!

Categories
Sports

Second day at Hendrick Motorsports

Today we got to go on a full tour of the campus. It included the engine shop and the body shop. They would not allow pictures in either of these areas though 🙁 It’s amazing that they manufacture all of the parts for their engines with exception of the block which is supplied by Chevy and then further modified. The machines that make the parts from a block of steal really pretty awesome! I learned a lot about the sponsorships and other goofy facts. For example, the in car camera equipment weighs 70 pounds!!

Notice the picture of Jeff Gordon’s Vegas car (missing the front end)

Categories
Sports

A night at the Hendrick’s Facility

I spent the night in the ‘shop’ for Casey Mears and Earnhardt Jr. in Charlotte, NC.  What a treat!  I’m a casual Nascar fan, I watch the races on Sunday when I can.  I definitely have a better appreciation for Nascar now.  We started out looking at the new shiny car bodies and then learned that both drivers cars were back in the shop last night.  I have plenty of pictures of those two cars.  Checkout the damage on some of the pictures in the gallery.  Dale was hugging the wall a couple of times from the look of it 🙂

I hope to get more access tomorrow to see Jeff Gordon’s shop and also Jimmie Johnson’s.  I’ll continue to take pictures!

Categories
Friends Sports

I met Tubby!

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!

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Categories
Friends Sports

Lots of basketball

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.

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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

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Don chilling by the Wolves bench before the game

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Justin enjoying the view from the Wolves bench

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Yeah, we were hanging with Larry for the night 🙂

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Categories
Sports

Another “not surprised” about a Packer fan thing…

Man Creates One-of-a-Kind Packers Party House
An Atlanta businessman has created a one-of-a-kind Packers party house right across from Lambeau Field. Michael Holton says he is simply fulfilling a dream. “Some people have beach houses, some people have mountain houses, I have a Packer house,” said Michael Holton, Packer fan.
And what a house it is. Last year, Michael and his wife bought this home along Lombardi Avenue, directly across from the stadium. They hired a builder, who gutted the house, and transformed it into the ultimate pre-game house with a spectacular view of the stadium. The garage roof became a party deck. The patio has a “G” etched in the concrete. Inside, all the amenities. “Designed by men, for men,” said Holton. “It is specifically to enjoy game day and the days leading up to game day.”
Born and raised a Packer fan in Milwaukee, Michael and his family will travel to Green Bay on the weekends the Packers play at home and open up their home to friends and relatives. He plans to use his vacation house about as much as most other people use theirs. “I’m not doing this as an investment, as any kind of commercial benefit or financial benefit,” said Holton. “This is truly a spot that we’ve picked to enjoy the Packer atmosphere.” Michael hopes his dream home doesn’t start a trend though, in which other homes in the neighborhood are sold and turned into party houses. “If somebody want to sell out to somebody as moronic as I am, that’s fine, but I just like the neighbors, like the people here,” said Holton. “I welcome all of them to come over and have a beer with me on Packer day and get to know each other a little bit.” Safe to say a new era in tailgating along Lombardi Avenue kicks off Sunday. “It’s the hallowed grounds and to be so close is pretty special,” said Holton.

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Categories
Sports

Matt Birk

I went to a lunch for a vendor at work and they had Matt Birk there. He was a great guy to listen to. He handled questions very well and was funny. He went to Harvard you know J

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Categories
Sports

It was fun while it lasted…

I’ve had this poster up in my cube for a few years. I’ve crossed off players as they’ve departed from the Wolves. Although brief, I never thought that I’d see the day where Hudson was the lone player left on the team.  Many people stopped by my cube last week as the rumors of the trade got stronger simply looking for the black X on his face.  I couldn’t do it until it was official and even then I had Brian do the honors.

I do believe that we are avoiding the inevitable, he was going to get traded at some point.  I strongly believe that he wasn’t going to opt out of his contract.  Would you walk away from $25,000,000??  Those zero’s are very nice looking 🙂  All of the contracts that we having incoming have one year remaining.  As long as we keep the young guys I’m OK with it.  I don’t think that our team needs to go out and get some above average free agents.  I’d like for us to grow like the Bulls have in recent years.  Once on the verge then you go out and get the big stud to get you over the top.  McHale, please don’t screw this one up!

Like Brian and Justin, I will continue my season tickets with the Wolves and watch a young pool of talent but certainly hope to see some Boston games on the tube 🙂 I’m actually considering the NBA league pass this year.

Go Boston! You’ll have a lot of fun watching “The Big Ticket” for years to come!

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