#300 Penn State vs. Indiana.....

PSU 36--IU 31

That is the most important part of the weekend. PSU won the game. There were times when we were not quite sure. But, hope springs eternal.

Well, maybe that wasn't the most important part. The friends we traveled with and the ones we shared the weekend with were the best part. The game was just a reason for us to spend time together. Now this is important because I was one of the few people who were not Penn State alumni. I did have the good sense to marry a Penn State graduate. She belongs to the Alumni Association and the Kansas City chapter. We try to attend the togethers at the sports bar.

This year the annual trip to a game was to the town of Bloomington, IN. It is a wonderful little university town. There is a town square similar to many such squares in Kansas and Missouri.

On Friday we drove there with three friends whom we got to know much better. That was one of the most important parts of the trip.

Friday evening a group of us went to dinner at a very nice Italian restaurant on the square. Saturday we went to the game. There was a pep rally prior to the game. We then had a lovely tailgate lunch. There are photos here. That took us up to game time, and what a game. We were losing, we were winning, we were losing, and finally we were winning.

After the game we spent more time in the parking lot to let the most traffic clear the area. A good move. The beer was still cold, and the friendship still warm. It was a good day, but the "best" was yet to come.

There were about 14 of us who went to dinner at Bucceto's Smiling Teeth. We were seated at a long table just inside the front door. The young man who served us was about to take our drink orders when he realized we hadn't been given menus yet, a situation he quickly rectified. Maryann and I decided that we would each like a glass of Pinot Grigio and medium sized Ultimate Warrior pizza. The others ordered their drinks. The couple across from us ordered a glass of Chianti and a glass of beer. Others ordered other things.

Now the fun begins, the young man was back with a tray of drinks and was standing directly behind me. Bonnie, sitting across from me, said, "He needs help." I did not move other than to hunker down to give him more space to work in. Before anyone could do anything I heard the clinking of glassware and had the sudden realization that my back was wet and cold. I still did not move. What could I do? Laugh loudly and long. The young man was mortified. From my perspective, he understood how to serve, care about those you serve and share the love in your heart. (Hopefully, he learned how to carry a tray of drinks without spilling them. tee hee.)

There were others waiting to be seated who could see the entire action take place. A number of them did make very kind comments on their way out.

We were concerned about how to take the stain out of my windbreaker, shirt and T-shirt. One of the waitresses brought us a printout of the process. The best thing is to soak the garments in cold water. Those items, and my wife's outfit spent the night soaking in cold water in the tub at our room. (Since we have been home, the clothes were washed and the stains are gone.)

One other benefit, the young man paid for our dinner and brought Maryann and me each another glass of wine. All in all it was a wonderful way to end the day. It is too bad we didn't have a video of it.

#300