From the Inside Out

Gary and I were lucky enough to get two complimentary tickets to the final Cowboys game in Texas Stadium. The team will be moving into their new home next season, ending a 37-year run in Texas Stadium in Irving. Saturday’s game was an emotional event for many fans, players, and former players who hold fond memories of the time they spent in that facility. The night was more than just a game; it was the end of an era.

With that in mind, we were really excited about the opportunity to be part of that historic moment. We drove to the stadium area early and had dinner at Pappasitos. The restaurant was filled with lots of other Cowboys fans getting ready to enjoy the game. At a table nearby, we met a few fans who had an extra parking pass for the Blue lots. We jumped on the opportunity to bypass the long walk from general parking — the Blue lots are right next to the stadium.

Delighted, we finished dinner at 5:30 pm and headed to the stadium which, during normal traffic, would be about 10 minutes away. Thirty minutes later, we were pulling in next to the Blue parking lots. We thought we were making good time, but little did we know that parking there would be the “kiss of death.”

The two lane road that leads to the Blue lots was packed full of cars — cars that weren’t moving. Forty minutes later, we had only moved forward a few feet. The parking attendants told us it would be at least another hour before we could get parked.

We continued to sit in bumper-to-bumper traffic, baffled that it was completely stopped. I can’t believe how poorly managed traffic was. I’ve been to games before, and I’ve never experienced anything like it. I know the stadium was packed, but it was ridiculous. Tons of people were bailing out of their cars and walking to the stadium leaving only the driver behind. At 6:50 pm, I finally convinced Gary to leave and meet up with the rest of our group. It didn’t make sense for both of us to miss the game.

After he left, I sat for another 30 minutes barely moving at all. The one highlight of my parking nightmare was that I got to witness the balloon release that happened after the national anthem. Hundreds of blue and grey balloons rose through the open roof of the stadium and were eventually carried away by the wind. It was a neat sight to behold from outside the stadium.

An hour later, after circling the entire stadium in traffic, I ended up at Lot 5 (back where I had started 2 1/2 hours earlier). I knew it was going to be a historic night, but I had no idea that the historic moment I would experience would be a whopping 3 hours of gridlock.

Finally parked, I quickly made my way to the stadium — just in time for half-time. Neat.

Once inside, I was able to relax and have some fun. It was great to see the Cowboys play. And between plays, they would bring former Cowboys “greats” onto the field and interview them about their time playing for the Cowboys — very cool. Unfortunately, the night didn’t end with a win, but it was still fun to be a part of the last game played in Texas Stadium.

After the game, there was a closing ceremony including many of the Cowboys’ famous players and tributes to those who are no longer with us. We stayed for most of the celebration, until the brutal cold caught up with us (it was below freezing and the wind chill was even worse), then we called it a night and walked out of the stadium for the last time ever.

Farewell Texas Stadium!!

Below are a few pictures from the historic evening.

My view for 2 1/2 hours — so close, yet so far

Punting the ball after half-time

The stadium was packed!

So happy to be INSIDE the stadium!

Players and staff on the field as the game ends

Post-game celebration — introducing the Cowboys legends

More post-game celebration

Although I consider myself a Texas girl, I spent the first 6 years of my life in Oklahoma. At the young age of 6, I thought Oklahoma was the perfect place. I even threatened to move back when I became of age, but as I grew up I learned that Dallas offers more — much more. At some point, I left behind the childish idea of moving back to Oklahoma and decided to stay in Texas. I can’t even fathom living there now. Yes, I have become a tried and true Texan.

Yet there are a few things from my early years in Oklahoma that I haven’t left behind — a love for weekends at the lake and a love for the OU Sooners. When I was growing up, watching the Texas/OU game was a tradition. It was a link to my family’s past. It was the only time when I felt like an “Okie” living in Texas. The funny thing is that it has never changed. There’s one day every year when I stop being a Texan, and I get in touch with my past, my heritage, and the state of my birth. It’s also the only time that Gary and I cheer for different teams, which is interesting in it’s own right.

Yesterday, I sat down to watch the No. 1-ranked Sooners kick the No. 5-rated Horns to the curb. The last time Texas beat a No. 1 Oklahoma squad was back in 1963. This game should have been easy for them. Unfortunately, the Horns turned the tables on the Sooners and eked out a 45-35 victory at the Cotton Bowl — so much for me touting my Oklahoma pride yesterday. Oh well, maybe next year.

I put my Texas cap back on today and looked forward to a Cowboys win at Arizona. Maybe that would soothe my wounded OU spirit. We had the One Life group coming over at 6 pm, so we thought it would be fun to watch the end of the game together before we started the meeting. By the time everyone arrived, it wasn’t looking too good for Dallas. But, they came back at the end and tied the game with a field goal in the last 4 seconds. Yay…we were going into overtime!

A few minutes later, it was all over. The excitement was gone. The Cowboys had floundered just like my precious Sooners did on Saturday. I’m not sure what happened, but it was a bad sports weekend for my “past and present” teams. The only saving grace is that we had a great One Life meeting. It was a “winning” end to my winless weekend.

Do you have any Dallas Cowboys fans on your shopping list this year? Well, you might be in luck. Neiman Marcus revealed its annual Christmas Book today, and it includes a significant piece of the Dallas Cowboys’ history. For only $500K, you can bring the entire Dallas Cowboys’ end zone to your own back yard.

No, I’m not kidding. This year’s fantasy gift is 530 square yards from the Texas Stadium end zone. According to an article in the Dallas Morning News, “the purchaser of the fantasy gift will get VIP treatment and a postgame party with the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. After the game, crews will cut out the end zone, roll it up and install it in the purchaser’s yard.”

Hurry up, though…I’m sure it won’t last long!

If you’re not a sports fan, the Neiman’s Christmas book also offers a variety of other gifts for consideration including:

• “His and Hers” life-size likenesses in Lego bricks at $60,000 each

• Harlem Globetrotters on-the-court experience for $110,000

• 35-year collection of 45-rpm records for $275,000

• A limited edition 2009 BMW Individual 7 Series sedan, plus a vacation on the French Riviera for $160,000. Only 31 of the vehicles will be sold, representing the 31 years BMW has been in the United States. The black sedan with champagne-leather interior features an illuminated Neiman Marcus logo on entry sill and the glove box.

• Custom designed Jack Nicklaus Backyard Golf Course for a cool $1 mil.

For other gift ideas, check out the online catalog and get your shopping done early this year!

Have you ever had one of those days where you just wanted to relax and hide from the rest of the world?  Well, for me, today (Sunday) was that day.  I shirked all of my responsibilities and became a couch potato.  I’m almost ashamed to admit that I spent the better part of the day doing nothing more than watching TV and playing with my new computer.  I did absolutely nothing productive…no, not one thing.  I don’t know what’s wrong with me, but I just didn’t feel like getting up and facing the world.  Maybe it’s jet lag from my trip to Seattle or maybe I need to start taking my vitamins again, but it felt good to relax — like a guilty pleasure.

The only flaw in my otherwise beautiful “hooky” day was the loss of my favorite team, the Dallas Cowboys.  I was a little nervous when I began watching the game.  Based on their performance in the games leading up to the playoffs, I had a feeling they weren’t going to play to the best of their abilities.  Nevertheless, I was still hopeful.  They did have a nice little break and some extra time to get focused and healthy.  Unfortunately, my nagging feeling (or shall I say intuition)  was right.  The Cowboys choked, gaving their fans a very disappointing loss.  I was shocked.  After such a great season, it’s hard to believe that it’s all over.  *curses to Jessica Simpson for single handedly taking down Tony Romo*

Oh well…here’s to next year…Cowboys in the Superbowl in 2009!

Well, it’s late, so I’m going to sign out now.  Have a great Monday.