2009 Tailgate Kick-Off

So, I got the email on Monday that I needed to start coming up with some ideas for this week’s tailgate…but I have to be honest, y’all. After the non-stop-ness of last weekend, I was seriously not really giving this weekend’s tailgate much consideration….AT FIRST! Now, I’m all about it. Let’s get this party started and all that jazz! But, just a quick (LOL) recap of last weekend…since, even with the loss, I do think it was the BEST way to kick off the season.

For this Hokie Margaritaville Tailgate President, there was no better way to start than with a Jimmy Buffett concert on Thursday night. Several hours tailgating…and it was such a beautiful day (not like the previous years, where we practically melted before the first strains of Cheeseburger in Paradise poured out of the speakers). Multiple coronas were imbibed. We even ran into what I’m calling an honorary Hokie in the concessions line who handed us an airplane bottle out of sheer goodwill (well, that and he had so many they were starting to slide out of his pants leg). That’s Good Times. So, other than getting lost once apiece on our ways back to the blanket, Mr. Fun Pusher and I had a fabulous time, wasting away again in Margaritaville.

Then, Friday was the big travel day! Packing up every article of Hokie clothing (and accessories, I am a chick afterall) and hitting the airport for the flight to ATL (where VT opened the season against #5 Alabama). So many good signs – tons of Hokies in the airport and on our flight; our pilot was even a Hokie! Our shuttle to the hotel had another Hokie on it as well. Atlanta was invaded, for sure! Mr. Fun Pusher and I met up with several friends from my grad school program at VT, and headed on over to see the Braves play the Reds. Again the weather was gorgeous…we all had a great time, doing a little tailgating before the game and then “rolling with it” on over to Turner Field. The Braves lost, but our seats were GREAT, there were fireworks after the game, AND the crowd broke out into “Let’s Go, Hokies” chants multiple times!!! I’m telling you, the ‘Bama and UGA fans that were there…they were a bit annoyed by the Hokie presence. Loved it.

So, then, bring it on to Saturday. Game Day. Everyone was pumped. We piled into the truck (which, thank goodness was large enough for 6 adults!), headed on over to the Jawja Dome and set up one fine little tailgate, if I do say so myself. Of course, we had some issues with the (up-til-this-point-well-loved) Chic-Fil-A people moving us from our initial spot…but they made up for that in free chicken biscuits, sandwiches, and CFA merchandise. So. It all worked out, I suppose. But, seriously, y’all. We got to the lot before 8am. And the game didn’t start until 8pm. With a brief intermission for a trek to ESPN’s GameDay setup (which now I’m completely over and will never feel compelled to do again), we’re talking almost 12 hours of tailgating, people!! Oh yes. I think that has to grant you some sort of Special Status, no? I mean, really? Who does that??? Well. I do, that’s who. ;-) And I would do it again. We had a blast…and other than the outcome of the game…that was one of the best days ever!

So, all of that brings us up to now, and, given that much partying and Good Time-ing it…well, you can SEE why I was a bit, I think numb is the only word for it, when I got the planning request on Monday.

But. Today is a new day.

And Tailgate Fever is starting to pulse through my veins once again.

So the plans are starting to come together…We’ve got The Regulars (whom you will learn more about soon enough!) joining us for another season. We’ve got some new faces, which we’re super excited about. We’ve got some forgotten faces that we’re happy are coming. And we’ve even got some folks that are just going to stay at the tailgate because, really, that’s what it’s all about, right?? (Although if there’s no beer left when I get back to the ‘gate…that’s one serious party foul…and totally against the Rules, too, I might add!)

SO. Grab your party hats. Put on some version of a Hokie Shirt (SCA wants white. I say maroon and orange are perfectly acceptable…and I’ll spare you my RANT on the “Effect” games and the Stepford-ization of Lane Stadium, so consider yourselves lucky.) Put the brew on ice. Pack the purse and/or cargo shorts with maximum airplane bottle storage. It’s time to get this show on the road…and rain touchdowns on the Thundering Herd. Ryan Williams is going to amaze and astound you. We’re blocking a kick in this one, I can feel it! (Oh, and seriously, we’ve got a B-1 flyover at the stadium before the game!!!)

Bring a donation for the D-Day Memorial (sponsored by the Corps of Cadets). (I am nothing if not civic-minded; don’t snicker.) I will not miss kickoff this season! I will not miss kickoff this season! I will not miss kickoff this season! (It’s sort of my new mantra; if you knew me, you’d understand.) Neither should you. Be in your seats! Game-time’s 1:30pm. No excuses.

And…

Here…

We…

GO!