So yesterday Canes hosted FSU, and it's a rivalry that goes back to the 50s. They play each year -- and a few times in bowl games, unlike the Gators, who dropped Canes years ago from yearly games on account of we were beating them all the time.
The nostalgia runs deep for my friends and I. In 1980, FSU was a Top 10 team, and we beat them in the OB on a tipped 2 point conversion. I recall the game nearly 4.5 decades ago like it was 2 weeks ago.
There were a series of "Wide Rights" and one "Wide Left" -- games decided by missed FSU field goals. I was at all of them -- the best was the first. I was working for Ed at the time, and he had a pilot named Tom. I handled a traffic ticket for Tom, Jr., and Tom wanted to thank me. No need, I reminded Tom -- I was on Ed's dime, but Tom insisted. Was there any place some friends and I wished to fly?
Well -- Canes game at Tally was coming up. I got tickets for Mike, Dennis, and myself, as well as for Tom and his wife. We flew up and saw the great game, and flew home the next day. It was a lovely trip.
Anyway, this game had lots of buzz. Noles are historically bad -- 1-6 after a season they were 12-0, but then lost their players to the NFL. Canes were favored big, but lots of folks wanted to go -- two guys at my gym asked for tix, as did other people. It was the first Canes sell out in awile, and Kenny was my date -- home just the day before from Maine. We realized the 65K people he was among exceeded by a LOT the number of folks he was with all Summer -- I think even Portland has fewer people. We drove up Joel, who had scored some tix with a friend.
At the stadium -- it was a cluster. They wouldn't let me turn left into my normal entrance -- a guy said to drive a mile to a light and make a U turn. Traffic was stopped. There were no cops around. I got out, moved 2 orange traffic barrels, and made my U turn. A fellow let me in, laughing. Turned out he was Eric's young cardiology partner -- we parked side by side and went to the same tailgate. It was probably good for him to know his senior partner has a scofflaw friend.
We walked and walked and finally made it to a smallish tailgate. Luckily I had brought vodka, and we tore through the fifth pretty fast.
A highlight was a visit from Jean, a friend from Building 22. She lives in Weston now -- her daughter is a UM student (Jean started having kids WAY late) and the girl came by and was delightful. We reminisced a bit -- Jean is divorced. I had met her husband years before. When the knocked down our old Honors Dorm, my friend Edee convinced me to host a party. Jean and her man, who was a federal agent of some secrecy, attended. But alas, he is now into the ether.
The game was plodding and boring. FSU was awful, as advertised, and our defense shut them down. By the 4th quarter, we met with Joel and left -- fearing another bad traffic deal upon exiting.
Next week Canes host Duke. I already gave my tix and pass to my consuegros Ricardo and Jacqui.
We're leaving Friday am for LA -- dear friend Amanda's wedding. Game is at noon -- 9 am LA time -- so I can watch during breakfast before the wedding.
We're just staying the 2 nights -- home Sunday night.
Jean texted me - she had the best time. She said life's been moving so fast -- buzzed at a Canes game brought her back 4 decades. Sometimes the things that pass for knowledge I DO understand...
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