Guys Trip (Guys Day Out)

The annual guys trip (Myself, Jeff, Robert, Scott and Jonathan) had high aspirations for Fall 2009. Many ideas were tossed out such as: Canada, Northern California, White Water Rafting or the beach. Due to the large number of children being added to our families, the guy trip actually turned into a Guys Day Out. Unfortunately, the airline business (Jonathan) and need of someone's construction skills (Scott), the fivesome was turned into a trio. Instead of an exotic or wild locale, we took our threesome to the major metropolis of Starkville, Mississippi.

Highlights of the trip:

1. Cowbell (twofold): Thanks to some good advice from a former Mississippian, we took ourselves to a sports bar called the Cowbell. It was AWESOME! The place was huge and wide open. Each booth had its own TV. Tons of bigscreens filled the place. It included four pool tables and plenty of arcade games. The place had a limited menu, but served great Wings and sandwiches. According to Jeff, the bar was well stocked and can lead to numb lips. We watched the entire Alabama game at the Cowbell and first half of Georgia-LSU. It was a great place to cheer on the Crimson Tide and keep a tab on other games.

1a. Cowbells: I have always been annoyed with MSU fans and their cowbells. If it was an Alabama vs. MSU game, I am sure they would have driven me crazy. But as an unbiased viewer of the Bulldogs, cowbells rock. They really get the players and fans going. If I was an opposing player, they would drive me crazy. But for a day, I had a fever for more cowbell!!!

2. Jane the Chi Omega: Upon leaving the Cowbell, we found our way to Main Street and Mugshots for dessert. After enjoying a piece of chocolate cake, we found our way walking to the stadium to mingle with tailgaters. Along the way, we stopped at Regions for Jeff to get some cash. As we wait on the money to dispense and Jeff does his best to hide his pin number, a Jeep Cherokee pulls up. Robert, proving that age and two children can't slow him down, strikes up a conversation with the lovely young lady. Pulling out all of the game that Sara has not sucked from him, Robert lands us a ride to the stadium with the lovely young lady. Since Robert bagged the lady, we let him ride shotgun and Jeff and I find seats in the back. Not wanting to see Ava and Tessa go without a father, I immediately step in and put any hopes of Robert ending up at the Chi Omega house for the night. I inform the young lady that we are married, like to eat chocolate cake at Mugshots and her seats are very slippery. She immediately lets us out. Robert and Jeff blamed me for our lack of visitation time at the Chi Omega House. I think I was a messenger from God.

3. Gameday Experience: I was extremely impressed with Mississippi State's gameday experience. Like all colleges, they had their Bulldog Walk where the players walk to the stadium to a chorus of cowbells. Once inside the stadium, things get crazy. First off, there was a flyover. Flyovers are the greatest pregame ritual EVER. Not only did the plane come through unexpectedly once, it made a second lap. Even though the flyover caught me off guard, Alabamas are much better. They are much louder and the fans react better. MSU has a great, new jumbotron. It takes up one entire endzone. The videos and replays used on the screen rocked. The players come out to "Who let the dogs out?". Once on the field, the team does some typing of jumping ritual on the sideline. It got the stadium rocking. State's main problem is the fans. They started out great, but as soon as the score swung in GA Tech's favor, the fans went quiet and sat down. This lasted most of the game. I would rate the Miss State experience a 6 ot of 10. The setup was great for the game, but fans really hurt the place. There were plenty of empty seats and they were playing a ranked team. Fans like Jeff, would fit in perfectly at Mississippi State. Get excited for about 10 minutes and then sit down in your comfortable seats and only get up when forced to by the guy in front who stands up.

4. Dinner at Mugshots: In case you ever need reminding of what it is like to go out to eat with Mr. Pate, just go with his son, Robert. Prime example of this experience occured at Mugshots after the game. I ordered Stu's Magic Mushroom and ate about 2/3 of the sandwich. I did not cut it in half, but bit around the entire thing. I picked off all the cheese with my hands and finished off the mushrooms underneath. Being done with my meal, I placed my napkin over the plate and the waitress picked up on the signal that I was done with my food. As she starts to clear off my plate, Robert lets out a yell like he personally witnessed someone stab his mother. Evidently, the waitress did not pick up on the fact that Robert was planning on getting a doggie bag for my leftovers. A friend's mauled burger was definitely lunch the next day. Our waitress was officially afraid of our table for the rest of the night, but at least Robert had a meal.

Lowlights:

1. We walked way too much. Alabama's strip is right next to the stadium which makes eating and hanging out much easier to do. At Mississippi State, the stadium is 2 miles from Main Street. This is a very long walk after a football game. If not for Jane, we would have walked this twice.

2. Starkville lacks road signs. It is impossible to find anything in Starkville, because they lack road sign. GPS is useless when it tells you to turn on MLK Drive, but finding MLK Drive is not labeled.

3. We really needed our other two amigos. This trip rocked, but definitely needed a Scott and Jonathan feel. Jonathan could have provided us with a constant sense of purpose... finding him a wife. There were plenty of available girls in Bulldog Land and we would not have left without a diamond ring on someone's finger. Scott would have used his master manipulation skills on the trip at some point. Possibly, to swindle us seats in a skybox, a free meal or a new deep-sea fishing boat that he plans to sell in three months.

Conclusion: All in all, this trip was a great experience. Alabama won, I experienced a great football game and enjoyed time with two great friends. It was not the adventure of a foreign country or some extreme sport, but it was quality time with your best buddies. If Jeff comes through, we may head back to Starkville November 14 for Bama vs. State.

PS. Thanks to my dear wife Sarah who let me go on this trip!