Disappointments.

Last night I got to go to my first gator game. 

[Thank you again to the Logan family]

It was my first UF game and I couldn't have thought of a better group of people to go with. 

[well maybe if Aleksi and Mitchell were there too...]

The night started out great. 

Nice weather: check

Pumped for game: check

Family arrived on time: half check

Tickets: check

When we were getting our tickets checked, the police guarding the gates told me "No backpacks!"

One: No book bags is the dumbest foot-ball-game-day-rule I've ever heard of

because every other person had a purse or other large back - but no backpacks?!

So I had to empty my book bag, put everything in Cassie's purse [which was allowed in], and then put it behind a pole and hope that no one would steal it. 

That was ridiculous. 

My poor backpack - be safe.

Our seats were good, nice and high.

We were in the alumni section - so it was pretty calm, but I kept looking at the student 

section - everyone was dancing - and I like to dance

so naturally, I was kind of jealous.

But then the game began. 

We started out sloppy - and then realized we really had to work. 

About mid-way through the first quarter, we got dinner. 

6 hot dogs

a soda and a bottled water

Fun fact : they individually wrap each hotdog

why?

I don't really know because it's a waste of aluminum foil and when you have to unwrap six hot dogs separately to put ketchup and mustard on each one you might miss when Mississippi scores on UF, which would be really annoying. 

Favorite quotes during the game:

1. "So, which way are we trying to go?" -Cassie

2. "Max, Jane Logan wanted me to eat a hot dog for her - so take a picture of me" - Mom

3. "Dad won't let me drive to Orlando because I got in one little crash on bulldog drive - I just hit the bumper of the person in front of me. No biggie" - Cassie

[was actually said, didn't actually happen]

4. This random black guy said to me, "Hey little Gator" and I'm not kidding - the hyena in his car started CRACKING up, as if that was the most h.i.l.a.r.i.o.u.s. joke ever. I didn't even know how to respond. I had all these different thoughts running through my mind:

Should I just laugh,

Should I say "hi" back,

or should I call animal control because I think hyenas in Florida is illegal?!

Besides the fact that we ended up losing, it was an okay game to watch. 

however there were parts that were very frustrating:

1. The Mississippi fumble that UF clearly caught - and the reff's called it out

2. The UF fumble that Mississippi almost got

3. The final UF field goal [how? what?]

"Frenemies" as Cassie put it - One Gator friend sitting next to his Mississippi friend.

 

The last 20 seconds of the game:

I was so embarrassed. 

I was caught up in the moment, really hoping for UF to pull through

and so when he made the kick and I thought I saw the football go through the field goal, 

I cheered [along with all the Mississippi fans] as hard and as loud as I could,

only to realize that the football didn't go through the field goal, and UF had just lost the game.

oops. 

Looks like I need a stronger prescription.

Overall, it was so much fun. 

I loved having my family there

and I mean, the game was good - even if we did lose-

of course I wanted to win - but at least we didn't get slaughtered? right?

Thanks to my brilliant sister, Cassie, who suggested 

I go to Orlando after the game - I went to Orlando after the game. 

[I was planning on picking Kate up in Orlando Sunday afternoon - so it would just be easier - and more fun to go after the game - visit with the Snider's - and then pick up Kate]

and it was. 

After I'd arrived I was surprised to see my baby-girl Chesney

If I'd have known she was there - I wouldn't have even questioned the idea of coming - I mean - hello?!

That's my baby.

Leaving the Family was sad, as always - hopefully I'll see them soon.

Saying goodbye to my baby never gets any easier.