Trippin' in Indy Part 1

Our first two day were amazing, hence I took over 115 pictures and a few videos. That's why I decided to do this post as two parter,....besides I got nothing to do until noon anyways. And,....it will give you folks something to see while you're waiting for the big game.

FRIDAY

Friday morning I wanted check and double check that I had everything,....including M.M. and my Dolphins toothbrush ( I know who would have thought that I roll with a Fins toothbrush,....go figure).

You got to believe that we were all excited. M.M. to Air Trans rep, " I don't have a ticket but I'm getting on that plane !".

Once there, it was limo service for us. And I let M.M. ride shotgun.

Once we arrived at our hotel it wasn't long before one of my best friend's showed up. Having to wait for my Mom & Uncle to arrive for another 90 minutes or so we ( the two guys ) went around the corner to a Hooters to wait them out. I hate to be critical here but I got to put out my own little PSA. If you're ever in Indy, DO NOT go to the Hooters on 38th & Lafayette. Those gals were A) not good looking and B) chunky. My really,.....the whole staff looked pear shaped 20-15 LBS overweight. Now that's nothing by real world standards, but if you're going to work at a place where the uniform is short shorts and a skin tight tank top,.........COME ON MAN !! However it was great to spend time with an old buddy were I promptly had myself 3 pints of Guinness.

Once the family arrived we headed downtown to see what we could see. It was not as long of stay there as I would have liked, and we didn't cover much ground. You see my Uncle is 69 and has a heart condition, but we did take in a few sights.

M.M. and the State Building (???).

The JW Marriott, where we are headed to on Saturday night.

Dolphin karma brought us directly to Dolphins Dr.

It wasn't much farther from there we made our way to The Crowne Plaza and grabbed a bite at there restaurant. Food was good, but having worked in the business throughout High School and again whenI went back to college, I know a thing or two about the restaurant industry. Long story short, we sat down and ordered ( 2 appetizers & 4 sandwiches ). soon as we finished the waitress asked my buddy, " old you be terribly offended if your meatball sandwich came out now". The whole time there is this other server your a plate with a meatball sandwich standing behind with it. " Not that one he replied". Our apps & sandwiches arrived together, with a few exceptions. No meatball sandwich and a strip steak instead of the Philly steak sandwich I ordered. Those son-of-a bitches took that steak few it on a bun and returned it to me. Now, my sandwich was to have onions, cheese, horseradish sauce and cooked medium. This was a well done strip steak on a bun,.......plain. The good thing,......we only had to wait 30 minutes between visits from our waitress. And when did come back I told her take it off the bill as I was full from the apps and a few bites of Wifey's burger. Also,...my buddy's meatball sandwich never came out as well. She apologized repeatedly about everything and explained that she could get his sandwich right out. We should have know that was not the case,....another 30 minutes, no meatball sandwich, and we were all ready to hit the door.

On the upside,....there was no way that a horrible dining experience could dampen our sprites. It was good to be around family & friends !!!

When we got back to the hotel to family was pooped, so Rod & I headed out for a night cap. When I returned there was a gift bag waiting for me. FREE SWAG FROM GUINNESS !!! Some munchies, a lady's T-shirt, a hood, hat, and $ 100 gift card !!!! Of course that lump you see in the bed is Wifey,......

SATURDAY

Travis, our Guinness rep, has been taking good care of us.

We headed out around 2:45. Here we are getting close,....

While heading to pick-up our "credentials" I passed this. Can you say photo op ???

Feeling like a mover & shaker now !

We had about 90 minutes to kill before the show started so we decided to check it out.

Tonight's host were Warren Moon and Dan Fouts.

I you know me, you know my next stop is right on stage and straight to the podium. While I was make a B line, the Wifey was trying scold me like an old school teacher. " YOU HAVE GOT TO SETTLE DOWN !" Yeah right,....

Meet the contest winners. Mark, he drove his custom "Packer Moblie" from Green Bay to Dallas last year for the Super Bowl. It's a permanent convertible, and he drove throughout a snowstorm to get there. You know me. Wayne, The Ultimate Packers Fan doesn't have a man-cave,....he has a man-house. HIs collection is mind blowing ! Cindy AKA The Purple Dame is the most hard core Ravens fan you will ever meet. John, a huge Giants fan admitted that although he IS a huge Giants fan,....he thinks he is a winner because he is all things Guinness. He too has an impressive man-cave complete with Guinness on tap. And,....when tailgating there again a keg of Guinness accompanies him. Pretty impressive group of fans in my opinion.

We still had time to kill, so it we headed out for a few cold ones and to see who we could see. I had high hopes for some Dolphin sightings.

Our first sighting, Steve Mariucci and Brian Billick. As it turns Brian is from Ohio and one of his parents was born in Toledo.

M.M. meet Super Bowl winning coach Brian Billick. Brian Billick meet M.M.

With the good, there is always the bad. Marshall Faulk,......dick !

Chris Berman wasn't all that pleasant either.

Crazies,....yup I saw a few.

FROM "THE" OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY, HEISMAN THROPY WINNER,...........EDDIE GEORGE !!! Yup,....he signed my Buckeye mini helmet ( knew there was a good reason I brought that with me ) to me.

I love when I bust the old,....O ! H !, to get him to reply I ! O !

Let the show begin !

During a commercial break I headed to the restroom only to come across Marv Levy.

M.M. meet Marv Levy. Marv Levy meet M.M.

Dan Fouts,....

However, he wouldn't shake M.M. hand. As he walked away, I said " we still like you !". A couple bystanders got a chuckle out of my antics.

Warren Moon was much cooler.

M.M. meet Warren Moon. Warren Moon meet M.M.

The rep from the HOF, we 4 free passes to HOF ( good for one full year ).

After the show we headed to TGIF for dinner with Guinness picking up the bill. We were having a blast. TOUCHDOWN WINNERS !!!!!

I think I might have been having too much fun. You see, once we arrived back at our hotel I discovered I was missing my phone. I called the restaurant last night again this morning,...no phone. The Marriott,....no phone. The car service,...no phone. Finally, Wifey called TGIF's again and put the hard press to them and like magic they do in fiat have it. Some how it founds its way to the floor behind the highchairs ???? Weird.

Anyways it currently 10:45AM on game day and we head out at Noon. The folks from Guinness have said more than once that today is going to far exceed the good time we had last night. I can't wait !

OFF4L