Thoughts Come Across the Pond: Ch. 2 – The Build-Up
We continue with another installment from Bent and his band’s merry romp across the festering ooze-pit that is the Meadowlands. Today’s installment, heading to the game.
Gameday! As we went down for breakfast, there was a big crash of pots and pans in the kitchen and I instinctively made an “I didn’t know Justin McCareins worked here” joke before immediately regretting it and panicking that I was setting things up for him to make a crucial drop or fumble later on. I immediately start making some self-deprecating comments about myself to appease fate. D-fense (mechanism)! D-fense (mechanism)!
I had made sure my “insurance policy” was in place before we left. My insurance policy, which some of you may not like, was that I decided to gamble on the Raiders, so that if the Jets lost, I would be compensated for the anguish. I bet enough money that if the Raiders won outright, my trip would be paid for. Since the Jets were 11.5 point favourites (sic) I was also able to bet on the Raiders to cover, which meant that if the Jets won by less than 12, I would recover the cost of the initial bet and still have the joy of them having won.
Many of you might disagree with me betting on the Raiders, but I am able to rationalise this because there was never any question of me rooting for the Raiders. The Jets are simply more important to me right now than any sum of money. So if I won the bet, I would still have been gutted. I saw it more as “I’d give anything to see the Jets win this one”. Basically I think I had about $300 bucks riding on the game, which I would get back if the Jets won by 11 or less and would get $700 back if they lost. I still wanted them to win more than anything though and if they did, the $300 bucks would’ve been worth every penny. By the way, if Art Shell had offered to throw the game if I’d given him $300, I’d have probably done that too, although it would have seemed less satisfying to have not earned the win fairly.
Perhaps the biggest decision of the day was what to wear. It’s the end of December, so you’re expecting it to be cold, plus you need to evaluate the potentially karmic qualities of each and every item. I almost put on a t-shirt that says “Almost” on it, which would practically have rubber-stamped a heart-breaking loss. I prefer not to wear replica jerseys to sporting events, so I ultimately settled on two pairs of trousers (pants), a blue jumper (sweater), a heavy, warm black coat (jacket) and a pair of trainers (sneakers). With my back still bothering me, I couldn’t afford to be shivering! Although I am not “a hat guy”, I topped the look off with a Jets cap. We’re good to go.
It’s a beautiful day! How did that happen? At least it is dry for the climb up a muddy bank / death-defying jaywalk we have to make to get to the Stadium. Fortunately, we made it in one piece, a couple of hours before kickoff, which gave us a chance to soak it all in.
We walked about for a bit, checking out the crowds and vehicles and signs and food and football in the parking lot. We decided to check out the Jets store. Here was where it kind of sunk in for the first time that I was actually at a Jets game. I looked at everyone wandering about in their Jets gear, many of them sharing the same look of impending dread that I did. It was a bit overwhelming for a time, but I held it together, just about. I was still nervous about the game too. Whilst my head said we should win easily, my heart feared that the Raiders defense was good enough to keep it close and if it came down to luck, we’d be in trouble.
We had hoped to meet some of the guys who are readers of the blog, but for some reason the numbering system was totally messed up and we couldn’t find 11C, which was where we had planned to meet them. We lingered in between 10C and 12C for a while, figuring that it must be there somewhere, but then we gave up, only to find that 11C was right over the other side of the stadium, but by then it was too late. It was time to go into the stadium! Gulp.
3 Responses to Thoughts Come Across the Pond: Ch. 2 – The Build-Up
-
Bent says:
You’ll have to keep reading to see what happens after the game, but we did spend well over an hour soaking in all the tailgating atmosphere and all (and yes, it was great), but not finding 11C until it was too late prevented us from being able to settle in one spot, although it allowed us to check out more overall. So, I don’t think we missed out in the end.
-
I’m looking forward to the part where Bent accidentally ends up in the vat of grapes and has the fight with the old Italian lady stomping on grapes . . . oh wait, was that another trip? I think on this one, he ends up on top of the Hell in a Cell with The Undertaker — watch out for the Spanish announce table!
And whatever you do, don’t get in the limo with Mr. McMahon!
you didn’t tailgate at the only jets game you’ve ever been to in your life.
i’ve been to about 12 stadiums for games, from buffalo to dallas to oakland, and i have to say the tailgating at jets games is outstanding. i am deeply saddened that you missed out. hopefully your story ends with “thank god i wasn’t drinking because aerosmith showed up and they needed someone sober to drive their tourbus!”