This past Saturday, Bill invited Kevin and me to watch the final regular season game of Notre Dame vs. USC at a sports bar that was featuring the game. It is the go-to bar for Notre Dame fans, and though I'm no fan of the Irish, I thought it would be nice to get out of the house once in a while instead of playing PS3 video games and also get material for the FADUCO blog. Most of this diary was recorded on my Twitter (@vicguru), so for the 2 of you who have been following me on Twitter, this material may be familiar. On a side note, I have been more active on twitter during football games, so you can always check out my comments.
6:40 PM
Kevin and I drive to a parking lot near Rockville Pike and Montrose, we meet Bill and we take the Bill-mobile down to DC.
7:00 PM
Bill is jamming to Justin Bieber in the car.
7:30 PM
We get to the Exchange Saloon bar, and walk around the entire bar to try to find a table. We are unsuccessful, but stake out a pretty nice location by the bar area to stand. Out of the approximately 200 people in the crowd at the time, I count 4 other Asians and 3 African-Americans.
7:35 PM
Bill uncovers his old Fighting Irish jersey and I'm trying to blend in with a green fleece sweatshirt. Things I learned tonight #1: Bill was president of the Notre Dame alumni club for DC in 1995. Here's a not-so-flattering photo of Kevin and Bill at the bar:
7:45 PM
Surprisingly very few Notre Dame fat chicks in this bar.
8:00 PM
Kickoff time! Crowd gets very LOUD at opening kickoff.
8:15 PM
Kevin is trying to learn the intricacies of the college game, it's the first college game he's watched in over 10 years.
8:20 PM
Shots of both sides' coach. To Notre Dame's credit, they have the less douchey coach tonight.
8:25 PM
Notre Dame's first drive reminds me a lot of the Redskin's offense this season. Speaking of Redskins offense, note to self: Always start RG3 vs. NFC east opponents.
8:26 PM
Kevin and I agree that there is a big difference in cheerleader quality between USC and Notre Dame.
8:30 PM
Bill pulls out his 2nd phone, used to text in Chinese. Things I learned tonight Item #2: How to write a text in Chinese.
8:50 PM
Crowd volume goes beyond 110 Decibels after the 1st Irish Touchdown.
9:05 PM
Just after ABC shows a stat that ND allows the fewest TDs in the red zone, USC scores a TD pass to get within 3.
9:20 PM
Kevin is disappointed that Hai cannot make it out tonight, but understands that Hai wants to spend quality time with the missus on her return from a Vietnam business trip.
9:30 PM
Good defense played by both teams in a bend but don't break sense.
9:35 PM
The drink special for tonight is $15 for all-you-can drink beer from kickoff to end of 3rd quarter. None of us 3 are taking advantage of the deal. We are old.
9:45 PM
After a interception by Notre Dame, Notre Dame's kicker hits a 52-yarder, his career long, to end the half. Notre Dame 16, USC 10. Pretty tight game, almost as tight as those USC Song girl sweaters.(If you don't click on this link, you're not a red-blooded male).
9:50 PM
I think we're now the oldest people in the bar, after some older fogies left at halftime.
10:00 PM
Kevin is upset that halftime didn't feature the USC marching band.
10:10 PM
Crowd erupted after the interception by Notre Dame's Heisman candidate Manti Te'o, but I was confused for a second since he wears the same jersey number as the Irish's starting QB. Yup, Things I learned tonight Item#3, you can have your top 2 players wear the same jersey number in college.
10:25 PM
USC's injured starter and preseason Heisman favorite Matt Barkley looks like Ryan Reynold's or Owen Wilson's younger brother. Pretty much central casting from Hollywood material. And like Hollywood, that Heisman candidacy was an illusion.
10:35 PM
Everyone scrambling and trying to get that last cup of beer before end of third quarter, except these old folk. Not much scoring going on, Notre Dame 19, USC 10.
10:50 PM
Some older guy (not us) trying to pull some game on younger lady.
11:05 PM
Older guy gets shot down, younger lady's date/friend/bro returns to scene.
11:20 PM
With about a minute left in the game, the Irish look to lock up the #1 spot in the rankings. Might kind of bar to give free shots of Jameson's to everyone!
UPDATE: Check out Bill's reflection on the mirror above
11:25 PM
The crowd goes wild as the clock goes to 0:00. Notre Dame 22, USC 10. The party breaks out in songs and cheers. Bar starts playing Miley Cyrus Party in the USA. Almost appropriate for the demographic, most of whom weren't born or were in diapers when Notre Dame last won a championship in 1988.
11:30 PM
If Alabama beats Georgia in the SEC championship, it'll be a Bill vs. PJ national championship bowl. First time in FADUCO history. I am expecting epic smack talk and 1st and 11 material from PJ if this happens.
11:45 PM
Bonus: On the way back, we get to hear what Cousin Larry sounds like through Bill's bluetooth in the car.
11:55 PM
The night ends, was a good time for us. Thanks again to Bill for the outing!
6:40 PM
Kevin and I drive to a parking lot near Rockville Pike and Montrose, we meet Bill and we take the Bill-mobile down to DC.
7:00 PM
Bill is jamming to Justin Bieber in the car.
7:30 PM
We get to the Exchange Saloon bar, and walk around the entire bar to try to find a table. We are unsuccessful, but stake out a pretty nice location by the bar area to stand. Out of the approximately 200 people in the crowd at the time, I count 4 other Asians and 3 African-Americans.
7:35 PM
Bill uncovers his old Fighting Irish jersey and I'm trying to blend in with a green fleece sweatshirt. Things I learned tonight #1: Bill was president of the Notre Dame alumni club for DC in 1995. Here's a not-so-flattering photo of Kevin and Bill at the bar:
7:45 PM
Surprisingly very few Notre Dame fat chicks in this bar.
8:00 PM
Kickoff time! Crowd gets very LOUD at opening kickoff.
8:15 PM
Kevin is trying to learn the intricacies of the college game, it's the first college game he's watched in over 10 years.
8:20 PM
Shots of both sides' coach. To Notre Dame's credit, they have the less douchey coach tonight.
8:25 PM
Notre Dame's first drive reminds me a lot of the Redskin's offense this season. Speaking of Redskins offense, note to self: Always start RG3 vs. NFC east opponents.
8:26 PM
Kevin and I agree that there is a big difference in cheerleader quality between USC and Notre Dame.
8:30 PM
Bill pulls out his 2nd phone, used to text in Chinese. Things I learned tonight Item #2: How to write a text in Chinese.
8:50 PM
Crowd volume goes beyond 110 Decibels after the 1st Irish Touchdown.
9:05 PM
Just after ABC shows a stat that ND allows the fewest TDs in the red zone, USC scores a TD pass to get within 3.
9:20 PM
Kevin is disappointed that Hai cannot make it out tonight, but understands that Hai wants to spend quality time with the missus on her return from a Vietnam business trip.
9:30 PM
Good defense played by both teams in a bend but don't break sense.
9:35 PM
The drink special for tonight is $15 for all-you-can drink beer from kickoff to end of 3rd quarter. None of us 3 are taking advantage of the deal. We are old.
9:45 PM
After a interception by Notre Dame, Notre Dame's kicker hits a 52-yarder, his career long, to end the half. Notre Dame 16, USC 10. Pretty tight game, almost as tight as those USC Song girl sweaters.(If you don't click on this link, you're not a red-blooded male).
9:50 PM
I think we're now the oldest people in the bar, after some older fogies left at halftime.
10:00 PM
Kevin is upset that halftime didn't feature the USC marching band.
10:10 PM
Crowd erupted after the interception by Notre Dame's Heisman candidate Manti Te'o, but I was confused for a second since he wears the same jersey number as the Irish's starting QB. Yup, Things I learned tonight Item#3, you can have your top 2 players wear the same jersey number in college.
10:25 PM
USC's injured starter and preseason Heisman favorite Matt Barkley looks like Ryan Reynold's or Owen Wilson's younger brother. Pretty much central casting from Hollywood material. And like Hollywood, that Heisman candidacy was an illusion.
10:35 PM
Everyone scrambling and trying to get that last cup of beer before end of third quarter, except these old folk. Not much scoring going on, Notre Dame 19, USC 10.
10:50 PM
Some older guy (not us) trying to pull some game on younger lady.
11:05 PM
Older guy gets shot down, younger lady's date/friend/bro returns to scene.
11:20 PM
With about a minute left in the game, the Irish look to lock up the #1 spot in the rankings. Might kind of bar to give free shots of Jameson's to everyone!
UPDATE: Check out Bill's reflection on the mirror above
11:25 PM
The crowd goes wild as the clock goes to 0:00. Notre Dame 22, USC 10. The party breaks out in songs and cheers. Bar starts playing Miley Cyrus Party in the USA. Almost appropriate for the demographic, most of whom weren't born or were in diapers when Notre Dame last won a championship in 1988.
11:30 PM
If Alabama beats Georgia in the SEC championship, it'll be a Bill vs. PJ national championship bowl. First time in FADUCO history. I am expecting epic smack talk and 1st and 11 material from PJ if this happens.
11:45 PM
Bonus: On the way back, we get to hear what Cousin Larry sounds like through Bill's bluetooth in the car.
11:55 PM
The night ends, was a good time for us. Thanks again to Bill for the outing!
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