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Laurel said it best when she pointed out how lucky I am. She said, “Jen, some people spend their whole
lives trying to figure out what makes them happy and you…you have all this.” At the time, I was thinking
the exact same thing.
There we were, all 12 of us packed into that car, just happy to be together and to be going to the last
home game of the season: Driving down the freeway, flashing victory signs to every Trojan car who
passed us, climbing through the sun roof. Rocking out to songs like Mellencamp’s Pink Houses and
Neil Diamond’s America while everyone – Mia and Mark, Randy and Morgan, Coco and Jen, Carol and
Jeff, Laurel and Monique and Serena and I – sang and laughed and danced.
lives trying to figure out what makes them happy and you…you have all this.” At the time, I was thinking
the exact same thing.
There we were, all 12 of us packed into that car, just happy to be together and to be going to the last
home game of the season: Driving down the freeway, flashing victory signs to every Trojan car who
passed us, climbing through the sun roof. Rocking out to songs like Mellencamp’s Pink Houses and
Neil Diamond’s America while everyone – Mia and Mark, Randy and Morgan, Coco and Jen, Carol and
Jeff, Laurel and Monique and Serena and I – sang and laughed and danced.
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By the time we arrived at campus, we
were full throttle into gameday. We
headed over to the Marshall tailgate
where we grabbed a table by the dj to
keep the party going. There we met up
with more friends and we made some
new ones too. We even let a few Bruins
join us – but only after pointing out that
they would be crying on the road back to
Westwood. We sang and laughed and
danced some more, enjoying the
beautiful Southern California day, even
though it was a chilly 65 degrees.
Three hours later we headed over to the
Coliseum for the last time this year, or
maybe longer; to kick the flagpole for the
last time this year, or maybe longer
were full throttle into gameday. We
headed over to the Marshall tailgate
where we grabbed a table by the dj to
keep the party going. There we met up
with more friends and we made some
new ones too. We even let a few Bruins
join us – but only after pointing out that
they would be crying on the road back to
Westwood. We sang and laughed and
danced some more, enjoying the
beautiful Southern California day, even
though it was a chilly 65 degrees.
Three hours later we headed over to the
Coliseum for the last time this year, or
maybe longer; to kick the flagpole for the
last time this year, or maybe longer
for that too. But, we didn’t let the fear that our team would soon be homeless dampen our spirits on
Saturday.
Of course, we didn’t make in time for the flyover or kickoff. We almost never do. But, we did make it to
our seats. Now, this is the part where I usually take the opportunity to complain about these seats we
got moved to two years ago but – no more.
Because, for the first time in two years, I had
the “Cheers” moment that I have been missing
since leaving my old section. You know, that
moment when you come out of the tunnel
and everyone is glad to see you there? That’s
right, it may have taken two years but I can
now call my new section “home.” It happened
when I showed up and the old guy at the end
of my row said… “The vodka mule is here!”
and everyone cheered! Who knew I’d ever be
so happy about being called a mule?!?!? I felt
like Sally Field after she won the Academy
Award – they like me, they really like me! And,
even if they don’t like me, at least they know me!
Well, the game got underway and it wasn’t long before it became clear that Karl Dorrell would be looking
for a new job on Monday. A touchdown late in the second quarter made us happy we didn’t put in that
first half bet. That only left us to spend two more quarters chanting, “Beat the spread.” Note to Norris:
it's not the same when you aren’t there to lead the cheer!
Saturday.
Of course, we didn’t make in time for the flyover or kickoff. We almost never do. But, we did make it to
our seats. Now, this is the part where I usually take the opportunity to complain about these seats we
got moved to two years ago but – no more.
Because, for the first time in two years, I had
the “Cheers” moment that I have been missing
since leaving my old section. You know, that
moment when you come out of the tunnel
and everyone is glad to see you there? That’s
right, it may have taken two years but I can
now call my new section “home.” It happened
when I showed up and the old guy at the end
of my row said… “The vodka mule is here!”
and everyone cheered! Who knew I’d ever be
so happy about being called a mule?!?!? I felt
like Sally Field after she won the Academy
Award – they like me, they really like me! And,
even if they don’t like me, at least they know me!
Well, the game got underway and it wasn’t long before it became clear that Karl Dorrell would be looking
for a new job on Monday. A touchdown late in the second quarter made us happy we didn’t put in that
first half bet. That only left us to spend two more quarters chanting, “Beat the spread.” Note to Norris:
it's not the same when you aren’t there to lead the cheer!
When it was all over, a USC victory gave the
Trojans an unprecedented sixth consecutive
Pac-10 championship and an unprecedented
sixth consecutive BCS bowl appearance.
Sure, the 24-7 win didn’t cover the spread but
I'll take it anyway. After all, I did get my Cheers
moment and that is worth even more.
After the game, we had enough time to hit the
fifth quarter. Then, after two Tusks, it was time
to wade through 92,000 fans and find our
driver. It was another hour of champagne and
daiquiris and more Pink Houses before we
made it home. Twenty tacos and three taxis
later and we were all on the dance floor at the
Harp celebrating the end of another football
season.
Trojans an unprecedented sixth consecutive
Pac-10 championship and an unprecedented
sixth consecutive BCS bowl appearance.
Sure, the 24-7 win didn’t cover the spread but
I'll take it anyway. After all, I did get my Cheers
moment and that is worth even more.
After the game, we had enough time to hit the
fifth quarter. Then, after two Tusks, it was time
to wade through 92,000 fans and find our
driver. It was another hour of champagne and
daiquiris and more Pink Houses before we
made it home. Twenty tacos and three taxis
later and we were all on the dance floor at the
Harp celebrating the end of another football
season.
We started this year with a home game against Idaho then really started the year with our adventures in
Lincoln. I lost count of the limos, the bottles of champagne, and the mixed CDs along the way. But this
will forever be the year when we hitchhiked across Nebraska, got published on SportsIllustrated.com
and flew helicopters to South Bend.
These stories, they aren’t about
football games. They are about the
people who make each of these days
worth remembering.
Laurel was right: I am lucky. And, I
want to thank everyone who has been
a part of this season. Coach Carroll
and Company give me reason
to cheer but you…you give me reason
to write.
See you in Pasadena.
Love,
The Vodka Mule
Lincoln. I lost count of the limos, the bottles of champagne, and the mixed CDs along the way. But this
will forever be the year when we hitchhiked across Nebraska, got published on SportsIllustrated.com
and flew helicopters to South Bend.
These stories, they aren’t about
football games. They are about the
people who make each of these days
worth remembering.
Laurel was right: I am lucky. And, I
want to thank everyone who has been
a part of this season. Coach Carroll
and Company give me reason
to cheer but you…you give me reason
to write.
See you in Pasadena.
Love,
The Vodka Mule
| Jen and Monique at the Fifth Quarter |
Jen, Monique and Serena at the Coliseum
| Super Mountaineer Man -- before their loss to Pitt |
12 people in a 12-person limo...and they say it couldn't be done!