The New Cowboys Stadium

Before I get on with today's post, I want to thank my friends for their TWO comments yesterday. Apparently they are the only two people who read this blog and have favorite sites they visit regularly. Thanks for sharing them - I love that. And, if you had a bout of amnesia yesterday but today remember some of your favorite sites to share, go ahead, share them with us today, dag nabbit! We want to know! Come on - there have to be some gems out there you can share with me. If you can tell me congratulations on a ribbon for a photo of some ducks, you can come up with an interesting website to share. I know you can. Just try it. Bring em! OK, on with today's post.

S and I had the opportunity to check out the new Cowboys Stadium in person last weekend at a pre-season game against the San Francisco 49ers. Normally attending a pre-season game would be kind of boring, but since it was a new stadium, that made it fun.




We went with S's work for a client related event, so we went in style - parking pass and suite tickets. S wanted to point out to you the parking pass would have cost $75. And we thought that was downright crazy. But, we used it since it was free to us! Parking that costs $75 will get you practically curbside. We walked only about 50 feet to get inside.

The tickets were plastic of some kind - swanky.

We printed parking directions off Dallas Cowboys Maps and they directions sort of took us right in - there is a lot of construction and not many way finding signs. The traffic wasn't too bad going in - now, coming out, it was a little less friendly.

Our parking spot outside the stadium.

The lobby you enter to take the suite elevator.

Just outside the suite elevators.

Then once, you're indoors, to go to the three upper suite levels, you board an elevator to your suite.








The suites were pretty nice with their own kitchen and bathroom, catered meal and comfy seats. They also had televisions in them that you had the power to change to whatever you'd like. You could also control what sound you wanted to hear in your suite.



The one thing that hits you right off the bat is, well, that SCREEN. The world's largest. Let me just say it is impressive when you first see it - it spans pretty much from the 20 to the 20. But then, after that, you start to ask, "Why?" It's so large it is distracting. Even when you try to watch the field, it's hard to focus on THE FIELD. I mean, the color is even better on THE SCREEN, so you find yourself looking at the Memorex over the Real. It's sort of ridiculous. It is ridiculous. It's just Jerry being Jerry.

The main concourse in the end zone.

The "hatch" over the roof must stay in place, whatever that place is - open or closed - once it is decided two hours before the game begins. It takes 12 minutes to open or shut the roof - that is not why it can't move. It's because the NFL says it might be unfair advantage to one team or the other if conditions changed mid-game.

My man S at the stadium. Poor lighting choices made all by me.

Before the game, the players came out to warm up.

Then the cheerleaders arrived.
I think they may have received more cheering than the team.

Then they all disappeared and they put out these smoke-fire breathing things and they all re-appeared to announce the start of the game.



A cool video plays that shows clips from past years, past players, past trophies, and then shows the current players.

Then they all ran out on the field while the little star machine breathed fire.

At this moment, I thought, "I am the great and powerful wizard."
I wonder if that's what Jerry was going for...

The National Anthem

Then they played some football. I think we lost, but it's a pre-season game, so it doesn't matter.

Romo with the pass...

A Dr. Pepper Can Race is the "dot race."

7-Up was victorious in case you wondered.

That's Jerry's throne over there. See him?
Very Roman coliseum of him I think.
His middle name is Caeser - didn't you know that?

It appeared I missed a beautiful sunset just outside...

Another Romo pass.

Gratuitous shot of the Canon ad.
You know, to prove I "shoot like a pro." Heh heh.

Kickoff return.

Justine apparently lives on Planet Tan.

A special "on top of the dugout suites" spot for the cheerleaders.

At halftime, some other group of scantily clad women employed by the Cowboys organization came out and danced a number, then the University of Texas at Arlington band performed.

After halftime, we attempted to walk around the stadium. This was sort of futile. If we were not "suite" ticket holders, it would have been impossible, but that got us through some checkpoints...the place is not made to walk around. It's made to put each level of ticket buyer in a particular place and control that buyer in that area. It's all about control - it must raise the cost of running the place by shear personnel numbers exponentially. Seriously, it was crazy how segmented it all was. "Someone is a control freak" crazy.

Suite level public area.

I liked the lights in this area.

Some prices for you - the same throughout.

Football shaped lighting...

...seemed to be the theme they went with.

A bar in the "silver" area.

Some, shall we say, "spirited" fans.

A "general" concession area.

View from the other side.

S, checking out the "ours is bigger" tshirt - another prevalent theme in this place.

A view of that big screen from the endzone area.

And, I'd say it wasn't, besides being new and big, that inviting of a place. Yes, it's new and big. I get that. Big. The biggest. With the biggest TV. And its the home of my home team. But, it's cold and corporate too, and then there's that aforementioned control issue. And some of that big is just to be big and serves no apparent purpose to me. It's not as fun of a place to see a game as other stadiums I've visited. It's very Jerry - very "squeeze every last dollar from ya". But there are lots of Cowboys fans, so it doesn't matter what I think. He'll have plenty of dollars to squeeze.



We stayed until the bitter end, walked back to our car, and sat in the maze to the highway. It was fun, and nice to see the new place. But, sister, I wouldn't pay those prices on my own. Ever. I'll watch it on the couch in my den. Amen.

Best wishes for the THREE DAY WEEKEND. Woo-hoo for that! S and I are planning some more football - college this time - as well as some patching and painting. And bike riding - did you think we sold those bikes? Nope, we did not and we're back on them now that the heat has subsided a bit. And who knows what else we'll find to do. I'll tell you about it here, of course, if I bring my camera, which you know I will. Until then, my friends!

No Time

I'd rather be someplace like this...sigh.

I have no time to post a thing for you today. I've been working too much which leaves no time for me to play on the blog. S says he wants to do a guest blog but I haven't even had a moment to organize that. But I bet you can't wait to read S's guest blog, can you? We'll get to it soon. I'll have something tomorrow, though, for sure. Something about the new stadium around these parts...tomorrow.

Instead, today, check out some sites I like to visit:

Confessions of a Pioneer Woman - a favorite

Frontburner - a must for Dallasites (and check out their other blogs too...)

Awkward Family Photos - good for a riotous laugh

Woot - a deal a day, and the sister sites, Shirt.woot, Wine.woot, Kids.woot, and Sellout.woot.

Uncrate and Outblush - cool new things

New York Times - all the news that's fit to print

What are your favorite sites? The ones you go to every day - even more than once? Tell me in the comments - I want to know! It's the best way to find the best stuff. Thanks!

Best wishes for a glorious Thursday. Pre-Friday!!! See you tomorrow.

Palermo

Palermo street at night.

Now, today, for something completely different. Just to spice things up and post something entirely out of time sequence, today on Ate Up Amateur, a post about our trip to Sicily over a year ago.

A courtyard we encountered at night.
It reminds me of the "Feed the Birds" scene in Mary Poppins...

I've mentioned this trip here and there before, (and here too) and I've said I want to share the photos, so why not start today? Here we go. S and I went with 31 other members of his extended family to Sicily in March of 2008 to visit the towns where his relatives once lived. The first city on the journey was Palermo. No relatives lived here originally, although one family moved here after living in one of the other cities, and then eventually immigrated to the US.

There was amazing detail of Jewish, Arabic, African and European origin all over Sicily.

Sicily is an island of varied and storied history. Basically, almost every major civilization has trampled across this island one time or another. It was a major trade route for much of its history between Africa and Europe. It has been occupied by Arabic, Jewish, European (not just Italian) and African nations. And it's architecture represents this melting pot of culture.

Palermo is the largest city on the island of Sicily. And, it is pretty much what you would expect of a large European city - there are cultural buildings and items of interest, but it is not the hub of tourism - it is a hub of commerce. The streets are narrow, being driven by mopeds, motorcycles and small cars. It is not especially clean. We flew in and out of Palermo, staying one night each way and did not spend much there. Interestingly, our trip through "customs" to enter the country was an additional scan of our bags on our way out the airport door - no one looked at our paperwork at all. And even the luggage scan was nothing like your luggage would endure for a domestic US flight.

The post-modern post office.

A fish market.

One side of the four fountains in the oldest intersection of the city.
The old city center.

It is well known that Palermo is a stronghold of the mafia. Far and wide it is known every business in the city pays 15% of its profits to the mafia. In the mid-90's (and, as much as they can, continuing through to today) there was a large and successful crackdown of the mafia by the government. Two judges led the charge, and both were in time assassinated. The airport is named in their honor - Falcone e Borsellini International Airport.

Detail from that fountain.

The first night we were there, we decided to walk on our own down to the old city center to take some photos. We took the same walk the next morning with S's cousin Lynn and her two boys. The nighttime shots begin the post, and the daytime shots make up the rest. Besides the constant smell of moped fumes, the walk was lovely both times. The moped fumes, though - they are thick and fierce and should not be underestimated.

Another beautiful fountain detail.

A street lamp detail.

We had one amazing meal in this city the night we arrived. We even happened into a restaurant where they spoke a little English, which was nice on the first night there. And, the really funny thing was the music being played was Frank Sinatra. Over and over and over, all Frank, all the time. On the way back through the city at the end of the trip, it was Sunday and the city was shut down except for a large central park where it seemed every inhabitant had gathered to play soccer, visit and enjoy the spring weather. We had lots of food left over that we'd been collecting the whole trip and had an early morning the next morning, so we had "leftovers" in the room and called it an early night.

Palermo Opera House

This building, the Palermo Opera House, well known in Europe since its renovation in 1989, was a strikingly beautiful sight in this part of the city and was near where we stayed. And, near the good restaurant, too. Unfortunately, it was not open on both nights we were in town. S's cousin Kelly did go to a theater down the other way that was presenting Shakespeare's Othello - the cast was "all star" according to the Italians. However, the lead role was performed (of course, in Italian) by a Caucasian in black face, which is an ancient practice, and he decidedly said was very strange and weird to see.

Some of the other cities on the trip were more memorable. And, I'll share them with you here sooner or later, of course. So, there you go. A Wednesday side trip to a Palermo memory. See you tomorrow.

You're Gonna Have Squirrel Haven Envy...

This is the section of chain link fence that separates our backyard from our driveway, covered in grapevine. It is not to be confused with the wooden fence that encompasses the rest of the yard and is still falling in on itself. Ahem.

So, on one side of that chain link fence is the backyard.
With said crappy wooden fence still sort of in place.

Also on the "backyard" side of the fence - a pecan tree.
A pecan tree that is currently showering the ground with a bounty of green pecans.

And these two squirrel-hating pecan eaters.
They can also be found on the backyard side.

"Who, me?"

On the other side of that fence...

(cue the angelic voices singing "Ahhh" on a major chord)
The Squirrel Haven

Yes, that's right, this section of the driveway is still in "throwing range" for the pecan tree. And out of range of those two adorable dogs who hate - kill, actually, with regularity - squirrels. So, it is a perfect place for the neighborhood squirrels to gather. And eat free nuts. And squawk at the dogs who can't get to them. And leave the shells.



In fact, the Local 542 of Squirrel Nut Storage Workers of America (SNSWA) has organized this location and use it is a prime example for excellent working conditions everywhere. Ample supply, good security system, and hours to fit any squirrel's need for work-life balance. I hear they also offer excellent health benefits.

[via]

The squirrel rotary meets here every Thursday at 4am. These portly, community loving squirrels sometimes leave empty coffee cups behind which can be rather bothersome. I mean, the shells will eventually be ground up, blown off, returned to the earth. But, the unsightly use of Styrofoam by the squirrel rotary - especially when clean-up is spotty - squirrely, anyone? - they claim to want the best for their community and the environment, tout hours of service to their fellow man - er squirrel - but then litter- it's a real pain. Even if their cups are the size of thimbles. It can make you go, well, nuts. But the upsides are just so numerous, this is a small price to pay to be able to house this rodent sanctuary.



We, S and I, of course, find ourselves extremely lucky to have a small part in such an example of high living here in our driveway. I mean, all the neighbors are trying to replicate what we have, but you know, there are those pesky items you have to obtain to climb this social ladder - the nut tree, the high end fence, the barking dogs, the affection of the neighborhood squirrel population, the seeming never-ending complete disregard for ever wanting to sweep the driveway clean of debris. These are items not everyone can collect with ease. You have to have a certain amount of - how do you say it - a certain amount of je ne sais quoi - to be able to house a squirrel haven like this one.



About now you're hating me because my squirrel haven is beautiful. I told you envy would set in. It always does. It's really not your fault. It happens all the time. We've lost some dear friends to squirrel haven envy. Please try to let it go so we can still be friends.



We were thinking of adding a squirrel spa next fall - you know, where the rodents can shake off a hard day of the nut gathering by relaxing in a bath of grapevine scented bubbling water. Or, exfoliate with the pecan shell pumice cream. You know, only the best for our little friends. Only the absolute best.

See you tomorrow.