Pink Day at Reliant Stadium - Texans vs Giants 2010

We girls carry the banner

During Cancer month, the NFL supports the fight against Breast Cancer via Pink Day. The players, cheerleaders, and fans dress in pink. Of course the color pink has its issues with many guys, so I asked a number of ladies why guys do not like to wear pink.

I made them do it!

"I don't know but can tell you this, I made everyone in our party wear pink!" Yeah, this is truly a trend in a color gender nation. Blue = manliness, pink = girlishness.

Support by women but where are the men?

"Tell you what, you ask him!" ... "No, not me. You are not going to get me to wear pink!" So goes the trend, but it is certainly not a 100% sentiment.

Texan Cheerleaders

I did not find any guy not appreciating the pink the cheerleaders wore. Our eyes were filled with pink all afternoon long. Not a single complaint. Us guys don't dislike the color; we just refer other colors to wear, especially at a macho football game.

Texas Anthem party - plenty of pink

And those supporting the effort to fight breast cancer were out in force. Pink meant support and pink ribbons were given out at the entrance. But looking at the stands, there were not many pink shirts.

Fan in war paint - no pink here!

Instead of pink, the cry was to come to battle by many. This is serious stuff after all! Would you wear pink to war? I don't think so!

Players Uniforms

Notice one shoe pink and the other white. Were these the warriors in the stands? Nope - these were the warriors on the field!

Guy or girl?

I think you got that right! What red blooded American man would wear pink socks for everyone to see anyway?

Cheerleaders showing off their uniforms

What can I say! They were in front of us the entire game. All guys seemed to agree that they support the cancer research by watching these ladies and getting "pinked out".

Little girls in pink

But I have nothing to share that shows little boys in pink. They were wearing Texan jerseys. One lady answered my question this way, "My husband is really hot in pink. I love the way he struts with his button-up shirt on. He has only one pink shirt, but it is at the cleaners." I figured this to be a little white lie so I found her husband who said he would have wore it except it was dirty.  Hey I found one guy who likes to wear pink! (well now and then anyway).

Another lady responded to the question - my husband refuses to wear pink. Just not a manly color. Do you realize we are the only nation in the world with colors that are associated with genders? "Hmmm ... I'll look that up", I responded. I did and found her statement to be questionable. The story of pink and blue did not really become cast into concrete until the 1950's.¹ That does not change anything though. Face it, the women say it takes a real man to wear pink and the men say they just prefer to wear the colors of the team. Cop-out?

Just another great American fetish in life. Yes, my grand-daughter's room is going to be pink!

And what did I do? I was bullied into not wearing my pink shirt by my friend.  I did find a bargain Texan pink cap and wore it the entire game, over my red UofH cap. Now that is a compromise!

¹ Color Lovers

Does change in tailgating rules change Texans fans? Texans vs Giants 2010

Early view of Yellow parking lot where tailgaters camp

Yes, one week ago, the Texans announced a change that drove down the attendance at the tailgating parties. When questioning fans, there was a mixed reaction. A new term has been introduced to tailgating - "Pedestrian Tailgaters". These are people who do not go to the game but do attend the tailgate parties. They typically watch the game via satellite or the local TV stations who broadcast one of the Texan games. They arrive somewhere around 8-9 AM. This photo was taken at 8:30AM.

Concrete section for tailgaters and parking

Comparing the Dallas game, tailgating was boring this week. Was that because of the rule or the opponent? Probably both. I asked one group who was parked without any neighbors, "sure seems lonely to me". Their response - the new rule!

Before the Dallas game it was customary for a season ticket holder to bring anyone they wanted. After all, they paid for the parking spot and their friends could come out to enjoy the game with them. The attendants told us about the fights and we read some in the newspaper but never saw one. We tailgated for the Dallas game in the same parking lot. It was almost full when we arrived at about 9AM for the Dallas game. On this Sunday, for the New York Giants, it was virtually empty at the same time of day. The parking lot energy was almost gone. I expected to hear echoes at any time, like when a house has no furniture in it.

Police presence to make sure there were no fights this week

The process to obtain Pedestrian Tailgate tickets was to get them purchased via those who have season tickets for $10 each.  When the game started, the parking attendants would check tickets for those still on the lot. There was an uncertainty how this would work out, so I believe many people abandoned tailgating this week and some perhaps forever. Slowly, they might come back to tailgating if they perceive the energy has resumed in the parking lots. In the meantime, there will be lonely tailgaters on the grass and pavement.

The shock waves of management's announcement was generally mixed. Some people thought it would be good for tailgating and spectators and was sorely needed. Others who were more adventurous and fun loving thought it would have a negative impact. Bottom line is that before the Dallas game, the Texans had the best tailgating in the country in number and quality; now that reputation is on the line. Fans were not as enthusiastic in the stadium as prior games. Do you wonder as I do if it was the unexciting opponent or was it the less excited fans coming off the tailgating parking lots? In the remaining few home games, we will see what unfolds. I clearly felt the difference in and outside of the stadium.  

Memorable Texan and Cowboy Faces in Reliant Stadium

Dancing at entrance

Watching a football game in Houston's Reliant Stadium is full of fun. The people and the place makes any game a memorable experience. On this particular Sunday, Hispanic Heritage was celebrated. Here's a few people I enjoyed during the game.

In foreground - super nice fan

Sitting immediately behind us was this lovely and fun lady. She helped make the day much better. Hello!

Texan colored hair-do

One row ahead of us was this fellow. I wonder how difficult it was to remove the colors from his hair.

Stadium neighbors

This fan is at every single game sitting right next to us, so we have gotten to know this lady.

Nearby fans

This couple was into the game very seriously, paying attention to every detail, watching a play being rerun on the scoreboard TV.

Memorable faces in the crowd

Very good fans - making noise and showing signs

Memorable face

Salute from memorable fan

  This man is well known at Texans games. The news media often spotlights him in the crowd.  He honored me as he has done before, by saluting me. Thanks buddy. We all respect your dedication and strong support for our team.

Loyal fans next to us

memorable face / enthusiastic fan

Memorable Cowboy fan

Another Cowboy fan

Award winning Cowboy fan

This young lady is 11 years old. She has always been a Cowboy fan even though her family supports the Texans. She knew the players, the rules and was very aware of the action on  and off the field. Everyone loved her and her enthusiasm. I heard a couple of people yell to her "I want to adopt you". I would have said it also but didn't need to. She talked to me the entire game off and on. In the third quarter, my heart melted when she said - "Mister, it will be alright. You can win next week." My hat off to you sweetie. You made the game super enjoyable for many Texan fans around us, as well as the Cowboys, even though we lost. The award? My special award goes to her for sportsmanlike conduct! Lots of people can learn how to be a better fan and competitor from this girl.

Foster is definitely making a difference for us this year

Poise and class

A standout in the crowd, she demonstrated a serious demeanor and intense concern for the game.

This is one of several articles on the Cowboy/Texan game of September 26th, 2010. Click on any photo for a full screen view.

Can't help but love the Texan and Cowboy Fans at the Tailgate party

We are one in this great state of ours. That was shown by the gentleman behaviors at the stadium in the Dallas Cowboys and Houston Texans game on October 26th, 2010, at Reliant Stadium. It was also evident in the smiles and congeniality among those on opposite support positions. I am going to share that with you here. Such lovely people with which to enjoy the Tailgate party.

My tummy hurts from laughing!

I saw this lovely lady when she was giggling over a joke with her friends. I seemed to make it a lot worse when I started kidding her about her tattoo! She was trying to explain to me that the tattoo wasn't real and I wasn't buying it. She wins the award on best laugh! Would we all have such a personality! She had me rolling on the floor before I could get out of their tent.

Want a chiller? Who can say no to that sweet face?

Miss Miller Light had a great smile. She was passing out some nice Texans chillers. You don't think the guys behind her noticed her, do you?

I can't believe you did that!

This guy had just finished off a Tequila shot(s) with whipped cream. The girls are laughing as he has come out of it unscathed but wait a minute! He has water in his hand! A feeble attempt to detox?

We are the Texans!

This was Tejano day, a celebration of the rich culture in the latino community who support our Texans. Some folks won't let Earl Campbell be forgotten. To us, he played for the Texans, not the Oilers.

So you like my red hair. Ok then I will show it to you in the sun!

This young lady was destined to be featured before I left the tent. Her red hair I found to be amazing as it glowed in the sun.  And that is why her smile is so genuine.

This is the way it goes. We are going to win!!

Listen pops, I am proud of my Mexican heritage. Tengo muchisimo orgullo de mis parientes de Mexico. Hablas el español? Porque no?

Hey pops, look at me! I'm ready!!!

Hey pops! I am about to show Dallas what a real man is like! I AM READY FOR WAR on the turf! Let me at 'em.

You and I both know that I am the sweetheart of the Texans fans

 
Another lovely lady making a statement. Texans it is, has been and will continue to be!

Can I help that I am a Dallas fan?

All ages were represented at the Tailgate and in the stands of Reliant.

Great boots

I think this lady was waiting for me. I saw her cleaning the front of the truck and apparently waxing the front bumper. Then I figured it out. She wanted a clean place to sit down. Now she was ready for a photo to be taken! Please .... No problema!

You gotta be kidding me!

You want me to do what? ... Geez buddy! The lady just before you wanted her photo taken!

Little Guy award - going right in the ole bread basket

Watch me put it where Schaub #8 would put it, right into the hands of Andre Johnson, #80!

Smok'n at a Tailgate Party - Dallas vs Houston

Smoking BBQ

Yep, fans were smok'n at the tailgate party for the Texans. Houston fans hosted the Dallas fans for a rip-roaring Texas party on the grass and pavement in the parking lots outside of Reliant Stadium.  Lines of traffic at 8AM testified to the fact that this would be a great I-45 Championship game at 12:00.  Some started with coffee but were well into the beer long before they got to the stadium.

Custom omelets

Some cooked by smoke; some by steam and other by direct fire.

These omelets in a boiling pan was the breakfast shortly followed by grilled steak at one tent. Each omelet was custom built by the person and put into a bag with their name on it. In just 12 minutes, it was ready! Served with coffee  .... yum yum! Judging from the alcohol and bar next to it, I assumed the breakfast table was closed soon after I left, and the party commenced to get under way here!

Links are ready!  Let's eat!

These links were cooked on the grill. I got to taste many fans' cooking on this day. Yum!

Foot remedy

Last Tailgate against the Colts, feet were smoked by the sun and 100 degree heat. This time, these folks came prepared. Honest! This ice was for their feet!!!! Smok'n in reverse ...

Shish Kbob heaven

  Grill'n and smok'n some juicy bobs!

Football war dance

Smokin some steaks as they danced the might Texan war dance. Might have been smoking something else too. Hold it! I see an enemy warrior in the camp!

Serious Smoker

Commercial BBQ places show their stuff off here as well, but this just happens to be a grill won in a $20 lottery last year. The owner loves it! Check out the signatures when you are out there.

Bacon wraps

Now that's smokin! Just getting started on the food but the beer is well on its way.Texans all the way!

Hot dog!

Cook up some chili and boil some wieners and you got a family dinner! Don't they look great!?

Wrapped Jalapeños

 
Stuffed jalapeños. They called them Jalapeño wraps. "Mildly hot." After I ate the one or two they offered me, I ran looking for a beer or two or three!!! ANYTHING COLD!

Wings

I asked about these but did not sample their wings. The cook said they were very hot. Well, after the not-hot Jalapeños, I figured I had better not eat anything that required a gallon of beer.

The Sausage Dog

My buddy and cook made this for us. When I got back from sampling all these foods and a gob of beer, he puts me in front of this and expects me to eat it! I ate a few bites which were delicious but I needed a gallon of beer to go with it, so I told him, are you trying to kill me?  Spicylike never before had I eaten anything spicy!  He ate this one and made me another. So good!

This is one of several articles I am writing on this ball game. Stay tuned, there are more to come. You can click on any one photograph in the commentary to view a full screen photo.

Mama made beans

I remember the good old days when grandma shelled beans that she grew in the garden and baked them in a wood fired oven. Nothing smelled as good as food from that oven! To make baked beans, she had to shell the beans, boil them and then bake them in the oven. This was a long process and made a very hot kitchen in the summer.  Then there was the baking of the bread in the same oven. That was a lot of work, a lot of time and took a lot of love.  Every meal was unique in some way and planned to the hilt!  My job was to stay out of the kitchen. A meal was often was prepared by multiple family members. Lots of things were discussed in that kitchen that my ears were not supposed to hear.

I also remember mama cooking baked beans. She did it in a gas oven but bought the beans already shelled from the grocery store.  My job was to thoroughly wash the beans, because the bag had rocks and dirt in it. Then she soaked the beans overnight and baked them the next day. The oven was closed tightly so you could not smell the food baking in it.  And were they good! Bread? That was too much work! Instead, we just ate sliced bread or cooked prepared dough from the grocery store.  Every meal seemed to be by recipe, usually Betty Crocker. It was semi-planned and fun to do. Dinner cooked while watching the soap opera.

Today, I go to the super market, buy a big can of beans and precooked mini-loaves of bread. I open the can of baked beans with an electric can opener, heat them up in the microwave and serve them in five minutes. Then I lightly toast the loaves of bread in the electric cooker.  Yum! Every meal is by the skin my teeth, whatever can be thrown together in the shortest time, because when you get hungry, you got to fix the meal!  15 minutes to open the can, heat up the beans and bread and eat dinner.  Every one to serve himself!

All of this change happened over just 70 years. Now the next 70 years? Maybe we will say “abracadabra” and the baked beans with bread will just appear out of nowhere and go straight to the gut.  That’s progress folks!  … in the next 70 years …

Last dog day of summer

On the last Sunday of the summer school break, some people went out to the beach, others went shopping and then there were those who went to the local park. I did the latter and ran across these cuties selling their lemonade at their lemonade stand!

To tell you the truth, it was a scorcher! Who would be so crazy as to be out and about in the park itself? Let me tell you, I was not the only one by far!  I spent the afternoon exploring a park that I had not explored before - Windvale.  Can you imagine the thirst after walking in near 100 degrees for about an hour? That lemonade tasted great! It had a special ingredient.

This stand was attractive and functional. Accompanied by their father, these girls spent their last dog day of summer having fun selling lemonade. They did it with very little  assistance from any adult.

Sales volumes are not high and therefore vendors are not interested in setting up commercial businesses at our parks. But a stand such as this was certainly welcome by some of those who passed by.  Dog days? The star Sirius is the dog star. It aligns with the sun in late July. Some say it adds to the heat of the month of late July and August. This was about the very last day of the dog star alignment; therefore it was really the last dog day of summer for these youngsters (and myself). What did you do on your last day before school started again?  

Thanks to the father and these children for permitting me to publish this.