We drove to Starkville, Mississippi to watch the Tennessee – Mississippi State game on Saturday. The ride over wasn’t bad at all. We noticed more TN fans along the way than we did MSU fans and traffic was much lighter than it would have been in the game was in Knoxville. We passed an older couple with MSU magnets on their car as we were leaving Birmingham. They passed us later on down the road – it was a back and forth type thing. We didn’t think anything of it. We came up on the toll bridge over the Black Warrior River on the west side of Tuscaloosa with money in hand. When we got to the toll booth the lady told us the car in front of us had paid our toll and said to tell us we were flying the wrong colors. Then next time we saw them we all waved and smiled.

We found our way to the campus and attempted to follow the crowd to the designated parking area. It was bumper to bumper and actually worse than some of the parking we have encountered in Knoxville. When we first turned left onto the campus I noticed a couple walking from an area on the other side of the highway. So I suggested we get out of the backup and head back that way to see what was over there. Turns out it was FREE parking with free shuttle service. We were dropped off a short distance from the stadium. We wandered around for a few minutes and then headed to the stadium – we both were in need of food and a restroom. We found our way to our seats – they always seem to put the visitors in the nosebleed seats. At least there was a nice standing room/walk way at the very top. It was a beautiful sunny day. The stadium was probably the smallest Jeff had ever been to – seating about 53,000 (Neyland Stadium can seat 106,000) it wasn’t a sellout which made it a little more comfortable. We were at least surrounded by orange. Keep in mind MSU has that infamous cowbell and they LOVE to ring it despite the SEC band on artificial noise makers. Hey, its tradition and I like tradition. At least they were on the other side of the stadium.

Since we didn’t know where to catch the shuttle back to where we parked, we opted to walk. The distance was a touch further than the walk from where we park at to walk to Neyland Stadium. I noticed a couple of things; the campus was beautiful and clean and the people were friendly.

The drive home was a little different – it was bumper to bumper to the first exit past Starkville – it was the first major food and motel exit, so that was understandable. Once we got past there, things started rolling until we hit Columbus, MS where Alabama State troopers escorting the buses (and equipment trucks) carrying the University of Alabama Million Dollar Band blocked the road to let them on. Then of course, we had to deal with cars that were afraid to pass the troopers – they were going less than the posted speed limit and they were out of their jurisdiction.

We made it back to Pelham and decided to eat out. Jeff thought I might like a nice dinner before I had to start my clear liquid diet. Unfortunately, that was the second time we had poor service at that restaurant.

We made it home, tired from the trip and didn’t realize we had left our garage door open until one of our neighbor’s rang our doorbell at 12:45AM to let us know. It’s nice to know we live somewhere that neighbors still look out for you.

I needed a hat that said “I’m here for the science” when we went to the NASCAR race at Talladega. The whole experience was a combination of behavioral and physical sciences. The people watching in itself was worth the price of admission. It reminded me of attending a Tennessee – Alabama football game in Tuscaloosa. I do wish they would institute a shirt required policy, though. Most in attendance were Dale Earnhardt, Jr. fans – even the color of their hats and shirts were similar to those of Alabama fans. Many were only there to see Junior win, they started leaving after his car blew an engine. Seating was similar to that of a folding chair, except they were bolted down. At a football game, it’s bench type setting. Both venues have the same issue with “large” people really needing to purchase 2 seats – so when the little E fans started leaving seating became a little more comfortable.

Free parking was available in multiple locations around the track. I was pleasantly surprised with how well the traffic flowed in and out. From what I understand, this had been a real sore subject previous years. Trying to move 200,000 people in an orderly fashion is no small task. That’s more than double what we have experienced at Tennessee football games in Knoxville. A large portion were the overnighters – motor homes, travel trailer, tents – you name it. They came early and left late.

We opted to each carry a small iced down cooler with 2 bottles of water, 4 sodas, snacks and Lunchable type ham, cheese & crackers. This worked out very well. If there is a next time, I would freeze 2 bottles of water (one for each bag) and cut back the number of sodas to 2 each. I’d also opt to bring a larger cooler (that would remain in the truck) with additional ice and food for lunch and maybe dinner. I also carried earplugs and sunscreen – although I somehow missed a portion of my neck. Other bring-along items, if there is another trip – the fold up chairs and maybe a small gas grill. It truly is a social type event and would have been even more fun if my sister and her husband could have been there.

Like I said the sociology side of the event was a hoot – all the way down to the conspiracy theory as to why Junior’s car blew the engine. The physics of the race was fun too, the aerodynamics of drafting, the decibel levels, the speed – yeah, who would have thought I could have turned a redneck event (by the way, they aren’t all redneck – have you seen some of those ticket prices?) into a geekfest?

I’ll try to get the pictures I took posted as soon as I can – I did a lot of multi sequence type shots that I’m weeding through.

I was originally going to title this post Breakfast in Houston but by the time I finally sat down to write I had been through Houston, in California and back to Alabama.

I was flying out to Ontario, California to attend the Podcast and Portable New Media Expo (yes, they are already planning the 2008 conference) with my boss, who is a big podcaster. He does The Final Taxi – me, I’m not into podcasting. Who would want to listen to the ranting and raving of a mad woman?

Breakfast in Houston consisted of a Starbuck’s Mocha and a scone while making our way from one terminal to another. Remind me, I don’t like scones. Fortunately it wasn’t too far – trading up one size 737 for a larger size 737. It was a full flight – almost too full. I almost got a shot the voluntary bumping perks. Instead a few people would be missing their connection because their plane would be late.

So we fly from Houston to Ontario, California. Off to the rental car location – we offer another podcaster Dr. Ginger Campbell a ride with us. The boss gets the rental car while I take a quick “break”. I come back to be told “we have a surprise” – our rental car was a Cadillac DTS – sunroof and all.

The Podcast camp ended Sunday around noon, so we wanted to at least see LA and Hollywood before we headed back to Alabama on Monday. We settled on Hollywood, starting off with a visit to Pierce Brothers Westwood Village Memorial Park Cemetery – the cemetery to the stars. Then we headed to Beverly Hills and Hollywood. Drove down Rodeo Drive, the found a place off Hollywood Boulevard to park. We did the Hollywood Walk of Fame and then Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.

Then we drove Sunset Boulevard to the coast and back to Ontario via I-10.

Other then an issue with food poisoning, it was a good trip. Now I just need to get the few pictures I took published in the gallery.