Saturday was the 2008 Iowa Spring Game in Iowa City. A time for friends to gather, practice their tailgating skills, and cheer for football. It was a semi-warm and damp day. I joined the gathering in one of the lots behind the rec building around 10am. How lovely to be able to find a free parking spot in the nice lots and see how the big donors live for one day of the year. There were lots of friends with a lot of kids running/being carted about. Much cuteness ensued. The Iowa Hawk Shop also has a big clearance sale at Kinnick on this day, so I went with the Kollasch’s to see if one could have too much Iowa apparel. I am happy to report that the answer to that question remains a resounding NO.

There was grilling, there were beverages, and there was a cooler to be ridden. You’d be amazed at how fun it is to roll through the parking lots on a motorized cooler.

As for the practice/scrimmage/game itself, it was misty out. There is something cool (or possibly crazy) about sitting out with several thousand other fans in slightly unsavory weather just to watch your team practice. Jerry and I were cheering for football. It didn’t matter what was happening (do you cheer if the quarterback throws an interception because the defense did its job well?), it was just great to get back to the mindset of football season. The rain did pick up and become unpleasant just as most of us were heading for the car.

I posted many photos on Flickr that I’m sure the parents of the children in attendance will want to check out. Here are a few highlights:

Josh, Colleen, Doogie & Ben

Jenniffer & Muiread

Jerry & Taly ready for a ride

Colleen & Ben, Doogie, Josh, Jill, Sara, and Margaret

Diane & Lindsey at Kinnick

Saturday was ripe with blogging fodder and I need to share this before I forget it.

After the final rec show of the season, the members of the Hawkeye Marching Band were taking photos with their friends, their sections, their families, ect, before heading out to their last pre-game. It brought back memories of my not-so-long ago final year in band. Except this would’ve never been overheard when I was in band:

Mom to son: Honey, do you want your picture with Mr. Kastens?

My mom and I recoiled in horror. I remember when I had my 4th and 5th years in band, and LKK looked physically pained to have to shake my hand and fake a smile in my general direction.

I was in the band.
Back when the director didn’t like me or my friends because we threatened his grip on mediocrity.

My blog posting is starting to wane. I’ve got this giant post written in my head, it even has a clever title of Cats, Cars, and Crowe, but I just can’t seem to get it out tonight.

Instead, I suggest you listen to the new John Mayer song, ‘Say‘, because its awesome.

Or look at my sleeping cat (who isn’t dying anymore than normal):

And for one last time this season: Go Hawks! Please? Just one more game to win and then we can go to a bowl game we don’t really deserve that probably won’t even be aired on a channel most of us can watch.

On Sunday, I’ll move on to basketball season. And wrestling. I did get a ticket for the Iowa v. OSU basketball game in Columbus in January when I’m there for training. Probably the only game I’ll get to see this year. Stupid cable companies and tv channels. *grumble*