USC enters this season as the almost unanimous pick to play in the BCS title game. John David Booty breaks his finger, throws four interceptions against Stanford, the Trojans lose to Dixon and the Ducks, and still on New Year’s Day as a ho-hum consolation end up in the “Grandaddy of Them All,” the Rose Bowl. Because I attended this game, I decided to break out my first diary. Here is what transpired:
8:08 a.m. PT: While waiting to leave the house the Rose Parade starts. We were informed that the parade will be broadcast to all the troops abroad. My brother asks if I thought a rift might break out between the troops watching the Rose Parade and those wanting to watch football. (The day’s first bowl game has started. The Outback Bowl: Tennessee vs. Wisconsin)
8:10: The plan today is to meet at Stephanie’s house, who lives close to Pasadena, where we will all meet and caravan to the Rose Bowl. (“We” is 20 people consisting of brother Nick, dad, three uncles, USC alumni friends, spouses, and a couple Illinois fans)
In the car to Pasadena. Now catching up on some sleep from New Year’s Eve night…
9:32: Arrived in Sierra Madre. We are packing 20 people in three SUVs. Those Desperate Housewives of Orange County would be cringing at how many people are in each vehicle.
9:43: Stopping at the market for the last of our tailgating needs which include steaks. (Inside joke about the last time we stopped for food before a bowl game, referring to the Orange Bowl against Oklahoma. I didn’t make that trip, but apparently it took over an hour to unearth some crappy sandwiches. These kinds of stories resurface when you have zero leg room and you’re the group waiting in the car.)
10:02: Distance to the Rose Bowl is only ten minutes but today’s traffic will make it close to an hour. Exited freeway off Lincoln as we are just barely staying with the lead car in the caravan. Just passed the Karate Bible Counseling College. Do not remember being told about that when applying to colleges.
10:06: Barriers set up on side streets to keep traffic on main roads. They are being patrolled by “Explorer” cops and they look riveted.
10:10: My brother got into a staring contest with a brotha in the next car over. Without knowing what to do, Nick head nodded, and in return received a head nod back. Yes the traffic is crawling!
10:19: Husband and wife out doing yard work on this New Year’s morning as thousands of cars crawl by on the semi-residential four lane road.
10:25: Escalade on 22’s next to us, apparently belongs to Tricia, as noted by the “Tricia’s Escalade” insignia. It also has a 11-99 Foundation license plate frame. A discussion ensues about what it is with my guess being something to do with Police or CHP, due to always seeing it on fast and usually expensive cars. (Thankfully with a Blackberry in the car we find out it is a CHP charitable foundation helping fallen CHP officers and CHP families. For $1800 you get that license plate frame and a wallet with the 11-99 foundation badge right next to where your ID goes. This does not sound corrupt at all.)
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