Got back home about an hour ago ... had to watch the Chiefs ... lose in OT. :x
What an incredible experience.
We got up to Truman's place about 3:30 after navigating construction and half-plowed roads on the Will Rogers Turnpike (I think I used my entire vat of washer fluid on the way up) from Tulsa to Missouri. Missouri, btw, does a hell of a lot better job clearing their roads than Oklahoma. We chilled at Truman's place for a few minutes, then started the layering process, before loading stuff up into his car for the tailgate.
We arrived at Arrowhead and got situated about 5 p.m. There were already several thousand people there when we arrived, many of them tailgating, despite the 20ish-degreee temps. Husker Fan was EVERYWHERE, with an OU Fan here and there. They said on the radio that of the 80,000 or so at the stadium, about 60,000 were going to be Nebraska fans. I believe it. There were at least that many, if not more.
Wags wrote:Truman does a superb tail-gate, so even if the game doesn't turn out how you hoped, you're bound to have a great time.
^^^ And how.
Truman isn't just an experienced tailgater, dude is a freaking maestro, who should be teaching it to the rest of us. He had the portable table, grill and charcoal chimney, portable gas grill, and everything else one would need for an outdoor epic feast. Our fare was comprised of barbecued chicken wings, cheese soup, Italian sausage with grilled onions and peppers, boulevard wheat and other assorted beers, and cinnamon schnapps (red hot, or something -- whatever it was -- it warmed us up damn well, along with that cheese soup). We had people coming up from all over the parking lot asking "When is it ready? What are you cooking? Damn that smells good!" And it was. Truman was the Lot E Wolfgang Puck, cooking away, with one course after the other. Damn, it was awesome grub.
And just as we were finishing chowing down, it was time to start heading toward the stadium, and Truman had that spread broken down and packed up in what seemed like minutes. I was taking mental notes on the pure efficiency of it. He and I took a few more schnapps shots, then a customary beer for the stadium walk-up.
We couldn't have timed it any better. By the time we were walking down the asile, toward our seats, we stopped for the National Anthem. Right at that moment, we got far enough inside to where the entire inside of the stadium -- packed to the gills -- opened up before us. Then when the anthem finished, the crowd just absolutely roared and fireworks went off. Damn, it would have given me chills even it was 100 degrees and not 20. Fucking AWESOME.
Now don't get me wrong, it was cold as fuck, but we were prepared, for the most part. On top, I had on a T-shirt, long-sleeved underwear, a turtle-neck, another T-shirt, a wool turtle-neck sweater, one of those padded jean jackets and a hooded sweatshirt on. I also had on two pairs of long underwear, jeans and cotton and wool socks. Only my feet got cold toward the end of the game, and even then, it wasn't as bad as a during a few other times I had been skiing. I thought there would be no way I would need all of that stuff on, but I'm glad I brought it. Actually, though, it was colder tailgating out in the parking lot (at least until we ate and broke out the schnapps) than it was in the stadium, which seemed cozy by comparison.
As to the game itself, most of you saw it, so I won't to rehash, other than that the entire crowd was standing for every single play.
Big Racks to Husker Fan. Though there were a few idiots -- like everywhere -- most of those I talked with were incredibly gracious and respected the hell out of this game and rivalry. They also were very happy USC lost. :D The stadium announcer never said anything about it, which is what I was waiting for -- just so I could hear the ENTIRE stadium roar, and not just parts of it. They only flashed several other games on the scoreboard.
As a collective crowd, NU Fan also were loud as Fuck. It was good for OU that they took the lead first, so early. It shocked the majority of crowd, to say the least. That place would have been a zoo had NU gotten ahead that early.
Truman brought his son, a good kid, whom I think had as much fun as I did. We were doing high-fives most of the game. I think I may have turned him into an OU Fan. :twisted:
My mom has no voice today.
All and all, a fantastic time.
I'm probably going to buy a card for the owner of my company thanking him again for giving me the tickets.
Sorry, bros, neither Truman nor I brought a camera. I wish one of us had ... my only regret.
"Uh ... yeah! I'd love to go!" 
