Bhagwan @ Large

Links, pictures, and scribblings from my never-ending program of dissipation.

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Game 3


Location: The Duchess Tavern

Early mornings always bite, but I’m somewhat inured to them by now. So I’m finally able to enjoy the mythic Duchess pre-func with Strand.

I’ve been hearing about this for a long time, and have been invited more than once. But today was the day.

Jen and I send waves of collective guilt to Eric, who rolls out of bed right when we are supposed to arrive at the bar. We get in 15 minutes late, but are greeted with smiles and beer.

(I’ll let you fill in the blanks on time, but the sun was not yet over the yardarm in Chicago.)

The table is there for us, as it always is. In attendance are TF, SF and Indigo Cheryl, Lisa from HR, Kitty Toi (also from HR, so don’t get any jokes ready, she’s already heard them), and the hunting shirt guy (whose name I did not catch, although it was thrown at me several times). Rod, Stacey, and the Weatherman join us later, filling out the Breakfast table of Champions.

The Duchess is a fine local establishment, revered in Husky lore. Generations of Husky fans have taken their first drink there, and it is steeped in school pride. As a non-Husky, it was cool to soak up the ambience, and drink Husky beer. And since USC isn’t on the home schedule for another year, I won’t have to take any crap from my compatriots when when the Trojans go 7-0 on them in two weeks.

But back to the game. Or really, the lack thereof. As was previously mentioned, we got an early start, and not everyone in the party was ready to walk down and sit in the rain for what looked to be another Washington loss. I was game, as was Strand. But SF , Indigo Cheryl, and the Weatherman wanted to stay a little longer, so we ordered “just one more” a few times, and then a few more. Through the magic of Digital PCS service, we kept track of the Dawgs as they CRUSHED the Spartans 21-6, and watched on the big screen as the Trojans held on over the Bears, 23-17. (Next week, I’ll pack the extra battery, as we used up the slim one pretty thoroughly.)

This, of course, avenges our ignominious defeat last year at their hands, which marred an otherwise perfect NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON.

After a full day of working our livers, we had to pack it up, and move on to our next sporting event of the day. Perhaps next week, we’ll leave the bar, and watch the Dawgs flail against Oregon State, a Pac-10 rival which they actually stand a chance of beating.

More later.

Posted October 9th, 2004.

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game -1

I missed our last tailgate, so even though I worked until 5 PM, I made haste down to the appointed spot. I discovered that the little grocery store in Pioneer Square does have a healthy selection of tailgate supplies, enough so that we’ll have to make use of it during the season.

While not the cheapest beer in the world, it does the job in a pinch. Plus, larger cans means more drunken fun.

Unfortunately, I seem to have forgotten how to read the schedule. Instead of starting at 7, the game begins at 6, leaving me less time to have fun before the game. Plus, I neglect to get cash on the way down, so I can’t buy a ticket from the helpful young men. not that I’ve got a lot to spread around, but a productive 8 hour work day does wonders for your spending power

Arriving at the truck, I see Mark dish out the last two burgers, and take down the grill. It is at this exact moment that I discover the start time of the game. While this sucks, I do get to say hello to my chairs, which have more or less migrated into Mark’s truck for the Duration..

In attendance this afternoon are myself, Mark, our buddy Lynn and his mystery wife Susan, Kristen and her friend Alex from California ( a fellow Charger fan!), and several folks I do not know. Mark confesses that he did not recognize me at first. Apparently, shaving and putting on nice pants changes my appearance some.

I don’t see it.

Turns out that one hour of prep gets me good and ready for the ride home. No tickets come flying out of the ether, and Lynn returns to playoff form before I go. Good old Lynn.

I’ve got pictures from last year’s taligating, perhaps I’ll have to do up a page for the games this year. For Football, it’s just as easy to do a full page.

At the casa, I watch both the end of the M’s game (poorly, it ends. poorly), and the second half of Glorious Seattle Football action.

Winning with seconds left, on a 3 point kick. Very typical for the last few years, and equally so is my intoxication level. Buzz just wearing off, and ready to drink more after the game.

Priceless.

Posted September 2nd, 2004.

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