OK, now that you're caught up - we were trying to get to Best Buy before Ken and Drew left, but ended up running a good bit late.  We showed up over 30 minutes late, so I was just going to go check out what kind of selection they had in keyboards when Jennbug started calling me (softly through clenched teeth) and and discreetly pointing at the Digital Camera counter, where stood none other than Mr. Block himself, with his guitar slung over one shoulder.  I walked up and introduced myself (to which he replied "Hellomichaelduncan!"  LOL.), and surprisingly enough, he remembered us from the Orlando show.  He once again sang "All For You" to Aidan, and asked if he could hold him. Aidan was fascinated with this man who had less hair than he did (Ken's observation, not ours), and with his glasses (see pic)

I had the chance to talk to Ken about the possibility of he and Jett coming to my store to do a book signing for their new children's book, Starfish: A Bedtime Story.  Cross your fingers for me - my store needs all the help we can get right now.

After the picnic, Jennbug and I decided to go downtown and soak up the tailgating atmosphere around the Swamp before the big game with LSU.  While riding around, watching the crowd get psyched up for the game, we decided "What the heck!  Let's see if we can make this happen!".  We ran home, changed into our GatorGear, and did a quick check of the finances to see how much bargaining power we had. 

We found a great parking space less than a mile away in someone's front yard, handed over a crisp $20 bill (My GAWD!  Those people are makin' a KILLING!! We need to move closer to the stadium and get in on this racket!!), and struck out for the Swamp to look for a sucker... errr...  I mean scalper.  After paying a very reasonable price for 2 tickets, we made our way inside for my VERY FIRST GATOR GAME!! (And what a game it was!!)  I'd been inside the stadium a couple of times when it was empty, but when I got my first view of over 90,600 fans filling the Swamp , it took my breath away.  After all these years of being a Gator fan (not a popular thing to be in Georgia, where I grew up) and watching the games on TV, I never thought I would experience that!  It was ESPN's Game of the Week, a night time game, and our opponent was 3, so it was definitely a dream come true.

After climbing to our seats (the whole time beginning to hear yodeling in my head), we settled down and got to know our neighbors.  Once in the stands, the Gator Nation really comes together.  It's not like a pro game - the fans act as if they've known each other for years, and were happy to accept a newbie like me among their ranks.  The JumboTron lit up with pictures of wild gators entering the water to the sounds of the Jaws theme, and we knew it was time!  The Gators took the field to the sound of 90,600+ screaming at the top of their lungs.  There is no sound like it in the world - deafening!  I can only imagine what it sounds like on the field.  Before the game, I had guzzled a couple of beers (no alcohol in the Swamp), so a couple of times I had to make the trip to the restroom.  Luckily enough, there was radio coverage in there, because in the first half, I missed a Brandon Spikes interception and subsequent TD.  (Very strange to be standing at the urinal and havce the guy next to you look over and yell "GO GATORS!" in celebration of the happenings outside the restroom.  I halfway expected him to try for the High Five. LOL  But the funny thing is, it seemed the most natural thing in the world.  Without looking, I returned the "GO GATORS!")  Now that in itself is pretty funny, but would you believe it happened again?  After being convinced to wait for the break at 4th Quarter for the singing of "We Are The Boys of Old Florida", I made my way through the stands and down to the pissery again.  This time, Spikes not only made another pick, but ran the sucker back himself for the TD!  Once again, the guy next to me (I'm fairly sure it wasn't the same one - again, I didn't look) screamed "GO GATORS!"  I replied the same, and then took note that the score (41-14) sounded AWFUL familiar (heh heh heh - you readin' this, Buckeye?).  After all was said and done, the Gators sent the Tigers back to their swamp with their tails between their legs, posting a final score of 51-21.  WOW!  What a game for my initiation, huh?

OK, OK - I've got it out of my system now.  I can honestly say I'm addicted.  We definitely will be at as many games in the future as we can, and next week (for my birthday weekend), we're going to the Homecoming parade and hopefully to Gator Growl (where one of my favorite classic rock acts, The Steve Miller Band, is playing.)  With any luck, maybe we can find a special birthday price on tix to the game to watch the Gator eat some more... err..  umm...  kitty?  cat?   feline? - you get the jist of it, and if you don't, you're to young to ask, so don't.

Aidan is growing like a weed (wow, has it really been 6 months already?) And has watched every single game from home on TV so far.  I mean, c'mon!  He is destined to be a Gator - he was born on campus at Shands!  He loves cuddling up with his new gator plush from the game.  It just doesn't get any cuter than this. (And life just doesn't get any better than this.)

I'm headed to Atlanta for a meeting next week, then back here for a week off and a weeklong birthday celebration for both me and my sweet, beautiful, incredible, talented, amazing, wonderful Jennbug.  I'm sure there will be more to write about soon (between life and the upcoming Obamathon - God help us if that man is elected!).