All it's cracked up to be

You never know. When you make plans for a trip - involving sports or not...you just never know. The weather can go bad. Hotels rooms can get screwed up. Or...this is big when you attend a sports tourney - your team can lose. Hey - we're Cyclone fans. We have dealt with all of that and more. Or - worse yet - your name doesn't get called for the dance (bowl game). Then you don't even get to go.

Luckily, in basketball, all the teams get to play in the conference tournament. Despite losing a couple teams from the original Big 8, I'm enjoying the new 10 team Big 12 (don't let that name fool ya). We play each team twice - home and away. It's pretty brutal, but is a true test.

For the first time we purchased two tickets to the Big 12 Conference tourney - for Jud and Paul. You have to buy all sessions so they're kinda pricey. That's why I opted out. Luckily my college roomie Jane and friend Barb are here. And the team showed up in a big way!

Judy and Mike

We headed out of DSM early Thursday and picked up Jud at Kara's. I'll have more exciting job news about the Judson next week - but must keep it on the downlow for now. His girl Kara was flying in from Nashville later that afternoon - she travels often for her job. We headed to the Cyclone pep rally where we ran into Crestonians Mike and Judy Moffitt right off the bat.

We headed to the Power and Light District - a cool covered area filled with bars and restaurants. We saw Mike Archer - our niece Barb's husband (they live in the DSM area) and chatted with him. Jane arrived shortly after we did. Her sis Susan and a friend were attending the game. Barb, Jane and I staked out a spot at a Mexican restaurant. There were TVs but not the best game view - regardless we watched the ISU vs. KSU game there, had lunch and sipped beverages. It was a close one, but the good guys prevailed. Our plans were working out so far...

Jane and me - victorious!

Jud and Paul arrived back at the P&L after the game and after a quick beer we headed back to Jud's place. Our hotel is out by the airport - so Jud and Kara delivered Minsky's pizza to us there. Embassy Suites rocks. We ended up on the cushy floor where you get a code for free snacks from the vending machines. Jackpot ya'll. Does it get any better?


J&P and the P&L

It was fun to see Kara and catch up with the kids. But (insert tears) they had to work the next day. I was tired. It's exhausting drinking, cheering and celebrating all day. Just wait until Friday!