Cane Season

 There has to be a MAJOR reason for Wifey and me to tell D1 we can't watch her boys -- and it's happened today. She asked to leave them here while she attends a party in the Gables, and maybe sleep over before a Labor Day party in Pinecrest hosted by her old high school friend Jacob, who grabbed a wife in LA and moved home on account of it sucks to live in LA and great to live here.

But we said no -- since Wifey and I are going to the biggest Canes home opener in decades -- tonight we're "hosting" Notre Dame! It's the Days of Awe for me, even though I no longer really let the Canes results affect my mood for the week. Who am I kidding? Yes I do.

Kickoff is 730, and Wifey has been negotiating later times for us to leave for the tailgates. Norman's old friend and client Maria is off the board this year -- too many cruises for her to renew her seats -- and so it's back to the future with Mike, whose Dad Ed introduced me to the concept of gourmet tailgates in the Orange Bowl starting in 1983. Before that, from '79 on, our tailgates were subs and beer -- Ed showed us how to up the game in his lot on NW 14th Avenue...

Anyway, the problem is that for big games, if you arrive too late, you can't get in even to your prepaid parking -- Barry learned the hard way last season for FSU -- drove around and said screw it and got back on the TPK and went home. This move of course is fodder for much making fun of him forever -- such is the exquisiteness of our Canes text thread where balls are broken at a level seen on TV at the Bada Bing...

So I leveled with Wifey -- we're leaving at 230. If she gets too hot or it rains, we'll hang in the car and make out. I have my bottle of Stoli Oranj, and several Publix Diet Ginger Ales for her. Ha. We'll head to the Club and she can cool down there, though her anticipated non fan seat mate Donna is skipping since her boy Scott had to cancel his trip from D.C. on account of a virus. If the game is epic, Scott will be the object of much cracking wise, I have zero doubt.

Yesterday, with the season upon me, I waxed nostalgic about my college days -- and not about Canes football. In a post nap reverie, I recalled getting involved in the HSA, or Honors Students Association, sort of the combined fraternity/sorority we had in Building 22, the Honors Dorm. That WW II era apartment building is long torn down.

But the president was a fellow named Joe Durnell, a cool nerd from PA, and we became friends, and I guess he saw me as a successor, which I indeed became. He invited me along with 2 of his roommates, upper classmen Mike and Dave, to go on my first trip ever paid by an group -- the National Collegiate Honors Council (NCHC) convention in Atlanta. I had never been to Atlanta before, and the event was hosted by Emory, and we stayed in one of those high rise hotels with the way cool elevators.

I recall a Saturday -- visiting a sports bar called Manuel's, and having burgers and beers watching other college games (maybe the Canes were on -- I don't recall) and feeling VERY grown up and collegiate. It was one thing that I had moved away from my parents -- now I was taking actual business trips to other cities, learning the concept of the boondoggle that is so sweet. Years later, right after graduation, Eric and Pete and Sandy and I were asked to go on a statewide recruiting trip to Jville, Orlando, Tampa, and West Palm, and we did, and I got to experience Bern's Steakhouse for the first time on UM's dime. Expensive meals are even finer when someone else pays...

So the season is here. I lost my frequent game date, Mirta, as she and her BF Jay have cruises all through the Fall -- they're Royal royalty and get all kinds of perks. I'm thrilled for her.

Jonathan is in for the Gators, and now the Ds want in, too, if I can get more Club seats, so I have a search on for that, but not at the current $500 per seat asking. They want in, but not THAT much.

Kenny is down for Syracuse in November, when he and Joelle return from Maine, and I guess I have to find dates for the rest of the games -- not too fun making the long drive to the former Joe Robbie Stadium alone. We'll see...

But for now, it's Go Canes! Last time we hosted the Irish was 2017 and the atmosphere was as electric as the old Orange Bowl was. I'm guessing tonight it will be as well, though we in our 60s may not jump around as much as we did in the 80s...

Still -- looking MOST forward to it. Wifey is, a little, too...