Fall is in the Air

A few things have occurred in the last week that need some updates before I get into my intended blogging content.

Bert/Birdman has died.

We thought he was doing much better but he took a turn for the worse on Friday morning and had passed when I went home for lunch. While Birdman will be missed, we had no intention of keeping him long-term and judging from my conversation with owner John, I am sure he is in a better place than back in Hilliard with his other 200 racing pigeon brothers and sisters.

We now return to your regularly programmed content.

Amid the scorching Florida heat, the transition from summer to fall has been minimal for me. As a professional, there is no back to school rush, no shopping sprees, I didn’t even take advantage of the tax free days. So really, there has been no real indication that a seasonal change is upon us. I missed the first Gator game (blasphemy, I know) which is usually a bench mark as the official start of the school year.

This weekend, Anne and Jerry came up for Anne to attend a bridal shower for me in Ocala. The shower was beautiful and I saw people that I haven’t seen in years. We received wonderful gifts that I am not allowed to use until after the wedding. Mom should have watched more closely as she got ready to leave for the game, I think a few items might have found their way into my car. After the shower, we hurried to Gainesville to carry on our usual game day tradition of tailgating. Jeff was able to get off work around three and his parents arrived in perfect time for us all to ride to the tailgate together. In the chaos of the shower, I hadn’t even realized it was my first game of the season but my anxiety kicked in during the car ride to the stadium. I don’t know what it is about game day, but something gets to me. I suddenly couldn’t wait any longer, I needed to be there, and much faster than traffic was allowing us to go. The parking situation was horrible and no one could move fast enough. Despite my frustration, which did not coerce the college kids to pack 80 cars into their front lawns any more quickly, we arrived at the tailgate with about an hour to spare before the game.

The rush of so many familiar memories flood back as I enter the world of Gator football, it is almost like coming home. The sound of the band, the chomp, the frazzled scalpers jogging through the crowds holding up two fingers, the little girls in cheerleading uniforms, the bellow of “ice cold coo-oke” from up and down the stadium steps – all bring me right back to the wonderful family memories of being a Gator. It has a lot more meaning now that I am also an official alumni and I laugh at how many times it comes up in life. Just a few weekends ago while visiting Universal Studios, I marveled at how the ET waiting area (inside) smells exactly like the pool at the O-Connell Center. These flashbacks are probably why it has been so easy for me to make Gainesville my home.

With my first game of the season under my belt (a win, regardless of how sloppy we looked in the second half. Where was our defense?!) – I have turned the page from summer to fall and am anxiously awaiting next week’s tailgate as we take on Tennessee in the Swamp. I could sooo be the announcer. My parents’ are heading to Richmond, VA to celebrate Bonnie Bugg’s 90th Birthday. However, being the measly peon of a PR person, no vacation time for me. I will be holding down the fort and the parking pass. If you are making the game, stop by the tailgate! North End Zone across the street from Delta Tau Delta.

Another exciting tid-bit for the weekend to come – lots of friends coming back in town but I will have to elaborate more on that next week so I don’t ruin a big surprise. J Fun times to come, can’t wait for the weekend. Someone should remind me it is only Monday.