Send Men, Supplies and Don't Loot our Football Team

Picture by Thomas Campbell of USAToday
Well, well, well....

What do we have here? Football crazy New Orleaneans woke up from their purple psychosis last Sunday and noticed that Tulane had a legit QB under center. And what's that? Come Again? Hokie Gajan ate his words also?

I'm sorry, but could you repeat that please? I couldn't hear you the first time: What's this about Hokie Gajan saying he was wrong about talking out his mouth? Blabbering like a fool that Griff wasn't NFL material? In his oh so very esteemed opinion?

Makes me hold out hope that Tammy Nunez might one day apologize for being recorded off camera making fun and laughing that John Curtis could beat Tulane.

But for real y'all, I felt like I needed to give the wheel a spin and buy a vowel after Griff's touchdown to Tanner. How D-E-L-I-C-I-O-U-S was that?! Did you catch yourself wondering if the Big Lee Towing guy sat on his hands or if he actually cheered for that touchdown?

If you'd like to rewatch this nationally televised moment of brilliance by a Tulane Product, click on this link here.

...So now back to my final order of business this pre-season: San Antonio <-- where Tom Benson threatened to move the Saints to during Katrina. And oh yes, the home of the Roadrunners whom Tulane must play in our final season in Ex-Cusa.

The Alamadome where the Roadrunners play.

With all this talk about the Saints, fools who flap their jaws, and San Antonio - I was reminded of this article by Mike Finger of the San Antonio Express titled "Stealing Saints Would've Been a Crime" wherein he apologizes on behalf of those egregious looters called the City of San Antonio who attempted to steal our NFL Team after Katrina.

San Antonio, despite this lapse of judgment, is actually a very important landmark in the history of the independence of Texas. Did you know that leading up to the attack on the Alamo, William B. Travis had sent him off some letters up his chain of command asking for reinforcements and supplies? Not unlike how the "Lunatic Fringe" at Tulane have been reminding TPTB that we have a D1 program here that needed serious paying attention to. Unfortunately Travis only received another 100 men even though there were facing thousands of Mexicans as was told to make do. (Sound familiar Tulane fans??) The Texan and American men lead by Travis were promptly decimated in a very lopsided attack on the Alamo. Outrage ensued and so the Texians regrouped, rallied and fought back in San Jacinto and kicked the Mexicans out of Texas. Except that now we eat their food and import them as cheap labor all these years later.

If you can follow my thoughts, and put aside the political economy of US-Mexico geo-socio relations: Tulane rounding out our final year in Ex-CUSA by playing in San Antonio is kind of ironic and interesting in a Playbook/Toledo Extension kind of way.

Another interesting connection between San Antonio and Tulane is that Coach Johnson was Larry Coker's wide receivers coach at Miami. The current UTSA head coach, Larry Coker, was head coach at Miami. Here's to hoping that the student (CJ) has become the master. Because honestly, the last thing I need is to lose like a fool to a someone straight out of division2 in this lamest of lame schedules in the history of American College Football. We are better than this schedule gives us credit for.

So to put together my review, I was able to go in house for consulting. Coach Hullabaloo lived in San Antonio for many years. And one of my sorority sisters who lived in San Antonio was very helpful as well. Below is where they would suggest we spend pre- and post-game in San Antonio.

Getting to San Antonio

There are no direct flights to San Antonio from New Orleans. You can take Southwest for two hops, connecting either through Houston Hobby or Dallas Lovefield. It's about a 4-5 hours traveling. There's also American Airlines with a connection through Dallas DFW. The costs for either are about $300 each way.

Driving is a straight shot across I-10 west for 544 miles. You can break up the trip in two by pitstopping in Houston for dinner and a layover. Or you can kamikaze straight through for 8-9 hours and want to just die because this is the most boring stretch of highway in the history of the world.

Another fun option, which Coach Hullabaloo and I enjoy very much, is railgating on Amtrak. The cost is $75 pp each way. The train leaves downtown New Orleans at 9am and arrives in San Antonio at midnite. And the train station is literally one step from the Alamodome. The food on the train is awful, so pack your own lunches. But you can sit in comfortable seats and work in peace all day, read a book, watch a movie on your laptop and you don't have to stare at endless highway for 8 or 9 hours.

Staying in San Antonio

I could not get over how reasonable the rack rates were at San Antonio hotels, as well as how many options there are close to touristy stuff. as well as just the sheer number of choices in the San Antonio area with easy access to the stadium even if you decide to stay a few miles out. If you choose to stay out towards SeaWorld and Six Flags (about 10 miles to the Alamodome), you can find rates for under $100 per night at decent national flagged properties.

Below are the properties that I would check out. Just note that most of the places near the Riverwalk and downtown will charge additional for parking. There seem to be plenty of parking garages to park on your own, and the majority of hotels offered valet parking services as well.

The Hotel Valencia looks to be a gorgeous and Texas-inspired boutique-style hotel in the thick of the touristy area. Rates are $165 with tripleA or $199 a night. And lucky you: the Valencia also offers a "Shoot and Shop" birthday package for those ladies who enjoy a round at the gun club followed by an afternoon hitting the stores. Nice.

Grand Hyatt San Antonio is a full service convention property that is a convenient half a mile from the Alamodome, close to touristy areas and is also situated on the Riverwalk. Rates are $150 per nite.

TownePlace Suites Downtown San Antonio is a limited service property that appears to be clean, comfortable, safe and in a convenient location to touristy areas in the Riverwalk area and is 1 mile from the Alamodome. The rooms at this hotel also have a kitchenette to store and prepare your pre-game beverages and to refrigerate/reheat your take out boxes from eating out, etc. Rates were $145 per night.

I kind of got the ebbie geebies reading online reviews of petty crime and room burglaries on tourists, even in otherwise safe-looking hotels. It goes without saying that those of us from New Orleans know how to take precautions to keep ourselves safe: Never wander alone at dark in an unfamiliar area. Do not experiment with short cuts. Take a cab door to door. Walk in groups. Do not keep more on your person than what you need for that particular outing (leave any unnecessary credit cards, jewelry or cash at home). Pack all of your belongings, especially electronics, back into your suit cases everyday with TSA/travel locks while you are out of your room. Double check your door before leaving to make sure it has locked completely.

Shopping

My sorority sister insists on shopping at La Cantera, which looks to be a basic Texas mall with a regular Neimans and all of the stores that you are used to seeing at malls.

Another friend also raves about the outlets of San Marcos which has clearance center for Neimans, Salvatore Ferragamo, Tory Burch, Kate Spade and other yummy stores.

I might check out Beach Hill Marketplace, which is a thrift/flea shop that is supposed to offer hours of poking around and great finds. And hopefully a man chair for Coach Hullabaloo to park himself and fondle his Iphone so that I may wander the aisles in peace. And if he behaves I might go check out the other antique thrift shops on Hildebrand Avenue.

Melissa Guerra Kitchen Market is supposed to be a great place to find regionally inspired kitchen and entertaining stuff. of which I always need more of.

BBQ and Tex-Mex

A few years ago for my birthday I shanghai'd Coach Hullabaloo into taking me on a nostalgic tour to sample the ultimate BBQ, TexMex and Texas peach cobbler joints situated between Austin and Houston. We ate BBQ until we could no longer stand it and I also bought these Tulane boots for the equivalent price of a small country. I think Coach Hullabaloo is sufficiently recovered from our meat and corn chip overdose so that we may adventure again in the San Antonio area.

It was quite overwhelming sifting through hundreds of restaurants and reviews to settle on my list. (I will happily assume all blame if these suggestions turn out awful)

Tex-Mex - I settled on Tito's restaurant, El Mirasol or Soluna (sister restaurants), and El Mirador. These seem to be authentic Tex-Mex menus, good execution and all have great reviews by users and bloggers. Tito's also offers breakfast (yummy). El Mirasol seem to be a more high falutin fancy restaurant.

My BBQ selections were The Smoke Shack which was started by Mississippi natives, so you know it has to be good. The Barbecue Station which is a side of the road former filling station kind of a joint and The Big Bib BBQ which is also a greasy spoon BBQ joint. All of them portend to serve excellent Texas brisket, finger lickin' sauce and pork ribs. With all of the usual trimmings that BBQ places should have: slaw, tater salad, etc. etc.

In the same genre of Southern and regional cooking which I love so, I was so excited to stumble upon Max's Wine Dive. I have underlined and highlighted this Texas-style comfort food brasserie in my list as a place I need to check out. Pulled pork stuffed peppers, oyster nachos, and "haute" dogs for Coach Hullabaloo. Their scrolling words on their website are hilarious: "Fried chicken and champagne? Why the Hell Not?" lmao. But seriously, they claim to have award-winning fried chicken and that's all I really need to know about that. My kind of place.

And lastly, when you need a break and want something normal: The Gunther House for breakfast. The Gunther House is a lovely 1920's mansion home that now serves breakfast and lunch and is also available as an event venue. It has a beautiful wood paneled ballroom used as the main dining room and lovely outdoor dining porch as well.

Tailgating at UTSA


The Alamodome is located off exit 140b on Interstate 37. From interstate 35, you can take interstate 37 south and then take exit 140b toward Durango Boulevard (east). From Interstate 10, you'll take exit 574 north to interstate 37 and then take exit 140b toward Durango Bouleavard (east).

Tailgating is allowed in Alamodome parking lots B and C. Although you might have to park in another lot and then walk to B and C as those lots only offer premium patron parking.

Seating at the Alamodome


Visitors and The marching band will be seated in section 138.

Lagniappe info for the moms: The visiting locker room is located through the southeast loading dock entrance.

Ok, Tulane fans. I have so enjoyed scouting out our upcoming road trip games. Now the moment we've been waiting for 9 months is two days away: Tailgate and pre-game before our season opener against an FCS school... Hoo-ray! Meet you at the dome!

The Seniors, and yes it will be weird

So I am finally posting pics from The Seniors 2011 graduation party.

From L to R, Cody Sparks, Oscar Ponce de Leon (who handed off the Torchbearer of La Raza to Rio Mares), Tyler Helm, Andrew Nierman (just signed with the Voodoo!) and Pete Hendrickson (signed with the Houston Texans!).

Below, the adorable dessert schmeckens and awesome koozies from Party Cup Express in Jefferson. (PCE also made us those cute "Sippy Cup" wine glasses)


We got a very nice thank you note in the mail today from the Future T Club Member whom we had gone to congratulate at the party (that and to enjoy the amazing crawfish and frosty cold abita beer).


Let me tell you, Coach and Mrs. Hullabaloo were just sooooo tickled and just pleased as punch over this display of Southern manners.

But what tickled us the most was that Future T Club Member signed off the note writing that he looked forward to seeing us at the tailgate parties in the fall (why, yes! of course, us too!) and that "Saturdays from a different angle will be weird." Coach and I just chuckled over that last line.

Cause that it definitely will be weird is no understatement. Not only because we will need to find a new favorite player and football family to start cheering for (Coach got a final farewell with his mancrush, Alex Wacha's, family at the party also). But also the big elephant in the room: what exact kind of season are we going to have with Doddmentum gone and Coach Bobby T's legacy at Tulane on the clock now.

I digress: I purposefully chose not to comment on Doddmentum picking up his stakes, because what really can one say about that? It was random. Here we were prepared for a sleepy finish to Toledo's tenure and Doddmentum up and leaves to go to a high school? And then an offensive coordinator is not hired (well, like how could they anyways in May), but instead hire Ricky Bustle as a "QB coach." To quote one of my favorite Gen X movies: It's like trying to find meaning in a Pauly Shore movie. Indeed. So I just can't bother my brain on this particular matter.

I had an interesting conversation with a West Virginia Mountaineers fan today. Mountaineer Fan felt that Rich Rodriguez hasn't gotten an offer anywhere because it was too late in the cycle for him to sign on anywhere when he was let go at Michigan and besides (according to MF), that his prediction was that Rich Rodriguez would become Tulane's next Head Coach. Whaaat?

It was the weirdest nugget of commentary tossed out there.

So with regards to MF's prediction about Rodriguez being our Renaissance Man, I actually find it an intriguing prospect. Yes, I do. I'll think about it some and post my thoughts about this some day.

In the meantime my little chamudi's: The only thing we, as Tulane Fans, can control is the grub and beverages we can put together for our tailgating spreads at the superdome on Saturday afternoons in the fall. Amen.

And let me tell you - this graduation party was IT in the cuteness and fabulousness department.



Don't you agree?

Cheers to Tulane Tailgating Y'all!

Where Are They Now?

photo by nola dave

Submission Contributed by our Contributing Editor-in-Exile, Che
(Why thank you Che for this wonderful edition to Hullabaloo Huddle! Please note that Che's diligent sports journalism chronicaling relevent sports news is below. My silly banter precedes. And is in italics throughout. Oh you can so tell my fingerprints were on this.).

You know, section 110 was once erroneously accused of being a bunch of "cougars" for the attention we showered on our favorite players. See, we had debuted a big vinyl sign that was printed with "SEGGY'S HOT CORNER" in honor of Rob Segedin who played third base. Because the production of vinyl banners is a clear indication of cougarism. The funny thing is: the sign was made by a guy. We can't help that we are a fun section of passionate fans and need props y'all.


Seggy signing his SEGGY's HOT CORNER Sign in 2008.

So anyways, our #1 Fan-in-Exile, Che, has submitted this latest update on where former Green Wave baseball players are currently in the baseball world today. We are grateful for his contribution!

Brad Emaus Second Base, New York Mets (starting 2B)

Aaron Loup Pitcher, Lansing Lugnuts (Class A, Toronto Blue Jays)


Shooter Hunt Pitcher, Ft. Meyers Miracle (Class A, Minnesota Twins). Oh we sooooo miss "Shooter Fridays", with Shooter at the mound. We would all have a shot of goldschlagger or some other horrid potion everytime he struck out a batter. Which was often. I do not, however, miss his LSU girlfriend with her stupid LSU umbrella. She once told us, after our never ending complaints about her damn umbrella, "at least I'm at this game and not the other game." TRUST US when we tell you that we would have much preferred that umbrella be 90 miles up river.

Tommy Manzella Shortstop, Oklahoma City Redhawks (Class AAA, Houston Astros)

Brian Bogusevic Outfielder, Oklahoma City Redhawks (Class AAA, Houston Astros) BOGEY! My favorite player of the 2005 season. Remember the helicopters they had to bring out for the Super regionals? Sigh, when will we make it to the post-season again....

Mark Hamilton First Base, Memphis Red Birds (Class AAA, St. Louis Cardnials)


Micah Owings Pitcher Reno Aces (Class AAA, Arizona Diamondbacks). Micah was by far, the best damn Greenie ever to be in a baseball uniform.


Sam Honeck First Base, Savannah Sand Gnats (Class A, New York Yankees). "Sammy hit the hoe!" Sam was lights out when it came to Home Runs. During our first year back at the new Turchin, the Rosen Parking Lot was still getting constructed. So they had backhoes and such out there. At first we'd cheer: "Hit The Bus, Sammy!" about the Claiborne Avenue buses that would whiz by out there. But hoes are a stationary, fixed target. See we're smart like that. Coach and Mrs. Hullabaloo ran into Sammy at the Homecoming party in the UC/LBC the night before Homecoming this past year. So in an effort to try to snap this photo with him, Coach Hullabaloo accidentally hit video so we have a 2 minute uncomfortable shot of Sammy and I trying to small talk through a gritted smile while Coach is fumbling with his camera. It's tres hilarious.

Josh Prince Shortstop Brevard County Manatees (Class A, Milwaukee Brewers)

Anthony Scelfo 2nd Base Charlotte Stone Grabs (Class A, Tamp Bay rays). Oh Ant'ny. He had some Sports Center moments in baseball for sure, but I will forever remember him for almost punching out a cheatin' football ref in Homecoming against Memphis in 2007.

Taylor Rogers Pitcher Augusta Green Jackets (Class A, San Francisco Giants) This story is LOL about Taylor. Taylor was tasked to keep a blog for the team in 2009 which has since been taken down. I can't remember which college town hamlet they were in, but there happened to be some cute ladies in the hotel lobby that the team chatted up. Well, the girls turned out to be 14. The players scrambled out of there so fast they left smoke trailing behind them. Hell to the Whoah on that one.

Henry Bonilla Pitcher Cardenales de Lara (Venezuelan League)

Rob Segedin 3B Charleston Riverdogs (Class A, New York Yankees) Seggy! Seggy! Seggy!

So dear readers: Thank you for reading today's edition of Hullabaloo Huddle. We hope this submission was Hullabloo Huddle-worthy and look forward to more contributions from Che!

Mewelde Sunday

Mewelde is back in Da Dome today for Saints v. Steelers. I've had enough of Up The Middle this weekend and I am woman enough to admit I have a derth in the faith department when it comes to the Saints. Especially since Payton announced the injury list this week. They might have to suit up Joe Horn and Deuce ya know.

Anyways I am thrilled to see Mewelde again though, just hope he wasn't at Doddmentum yesterday. OMG on enduring 2 disastrous homecomings to his alma mater in three weeks.

Yes, we're going to Aslut. So shut up.

You'll all be thrilled to know, we have not tossed ourselves off the GNO.

Although we were tempted after watching the Saints yesterday and Florida stinking up the place also. Chuck, you OWE us buddy.

Although I do think we are in serious need of an intervention because not only are Coach and Mrs. Hullabaloo going to Tulsa Aslut, we are also going to El Paso.

(yes, Coach and Mrs. Hullabaloo bleed green)

What are we thinking? I don't know. Maybe our karmic journey is to be present when Coach Toledo and Dan Dodd get time warped or something and we can say "we were there."

But nobody needs an intervention more than the Tulane Alumni office. The alumni office says they are having a tailgate in El Paso. I laughed myself silly. Gabby Cannon must have a seriously stocked bar planned to make our latest Homecoming Humiliation a distant memory.

Do you remember winning homecoming? It's a blurry dream for me. But I think our last homecoming win was at Tiger Stadium. against Southeastern. I think that's the problem, they left us with a curse or something.

Anyways, Speaking of cocktails...Charlicious, our tailgating mixologist maven, shared a fabulous new Fall drink recipe care of our hostessing heroine/messiah, the one, the only, Martha Stewart.

Here the future Mrs. Voice of the Greenwave getting her sip on with the Charlicious Fall-tini


The Charlicious Fall-Tini
Dash of Cognac
Cuppa chilled sparkling apple cider
A few shakes Angostura bitters

Pour a smidge of Cognac into the bottom of your fancy stemmed glasses. Top with chilled sparkling apper cider and finish with a few shakes of bitters.

Bootie-Judy, my favoritest new tailgating buddy had these adorable cups which are totally Hullabaloo Huddle-worthy and officially at the top of our "favorite things" list.


Bootie-Judy purchased them at Rouse's, but we have been told they are available at Party Cup Express in Jefferson.

So speaking of going to Aslut, I'll touch on the discussion that is burning across the Greenwave Nation internets: Yes, Mr. and Mrs. Slidellwave BOTH witnessed - separately - live and in person, the Homecoming Porn happening in the escalator lounge by the suites on this very couch.


Imagine Mr. Slidellwave's surprise coming off the elavator with an armfull of concessions in the third quarter. Mrs. Slidellwave stumbled upon the scene on her way to the ladies room. According to the WIST 690 reporting, even after several witnesses happened upon them, said fornicators continued romping around the suites level until security had to be summoned. This totally tops the drunk girls peeing on Mr. and Mrs. Jim's Tahoe right in front of us during Homecoming '09 tailgating.

I leave you with my final rant: Superbowl Champion Mewelde Moore got totally completely and jipped on his Hall of Fame moment on the field during halftime.

Oy, I need a drink. stat.

The Best School EVAH!

Reason #738 Why Tulane is the Best College EVER....

We picked up my Town Daughter (what is this?!? answer: Reason #585 why Tulane is awesome) yesterday from the airport in THE midst of Superdome traffic heading to the first home Saints game, post-Super Bowl. Our little highway was absolutely CRAMMED with Crunksters, getting crunk and honking at other Who Dats. It looked like a mardi gras parade route from Lake Borgne to Loyola Street.

Classes start on Monday for my little petit choux. So my Town Daughter was bemoaning the fact that one of her classes is scheduled on Thursdays from 6-8, but is hoping that Scott Cowen again declares that classes are cancelled in order to enjoy another Saints Parade.

Reason #738 Tulane is Fabulous: Classes were cancelled in order to attend the Saints Super Bowl Pararde in February (!)

Please tell me which other college demands that level of civic participation from their collegians? I dare you.

Her professor hasn't already gone ahead and just announced a cancellation pre-emptively. HOW could you possibly compete with Dave Matthews, Taylor Swift, the OPENING game for the entire NFL season - all of ESPN, etc. are camping out in New Orleans as I write. We get to humiliate Brett Favre once again (as if that draft day picture wasn't enough). Even Guy Fieri is here. I swear that professor MUST be from somewhere very unfun and just doesn't get it.

This shall be Town Daughter's Cross to Bear.....

P.S. J-Dub will come with the Chargers to play the Saints next week in pre-season. Staaaaand Up and Get Crunk!

Ice Chests and Rosters

So last night was the "Tulane Bowl." I say that because the San Diego Chargers played the Chicago Bears in preseason. It was officially the first meeting of Tulane players as adversaries in a while.

Matt Forte v. Jeremy Williams 2010

Matt Forte was drafted to Chicago in the 3rd round and had an amazing rookie season. While he played at Tulane I used to scream "Give it to Forte!" Providing my sideline calls out to the coaching staff and telepathically indoctrinating them with "Thou Shall Not Deviate From This Play." ha!


Jeremy Williams went undrafted (quelle bull, non?) and is a free agent with San Diego. Jeremy is also being heralded as "the most impressive undrafted free agent of this year's crop" by the North County Times of San Diego. He is currently being tapped to be the #4 WR on the Chargers' Roster.


Mrs. Hullabaloo watched the NFL combines to see what Jeremy would be up against. (whoever spends their free time watching the combines is a serious diehard, for real. If I weren't for Jeremy, even I, superfreakfanatic, would have passed.) Golden Tate looked riduculouso in those silly gold spanks and chainlink fence necklace thing he had going on and couldn't catch a ball if it were handed to him and placed directly in his hands. Jeremy caught every pass sent his way. His hands were measured at the combine and they span 10 inches (!). So I was completely peturbed when he was shafted in the draft.

It is very important for me to know the team roster, so I usually hang on to the roster handed out at the spring scrimmage and keep it in the car. So that I can memorize and quiz Coach Hullabaloo over the summer during Road Trips and such. Well, I quiz, Coach Hullabaloo says something silly, I fuss at him to take me seriously and then I go back to calling out the roster. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. all the way to our final destination. If I stick with it, we are completely prepped in time for Football Season. Defensive Line for $200, Alex!

So while we were on vacay, a member of Tulane Nation posted on one of our forums that the Winn Dixie at Tchoup and Jefferson had Tulane foam ice chests on sale for $3.


I was able to enlist the help of friends due to my absence from New Orleans and managed to score an ice chest - hullabaloo, ray, ray!

and then I ran across this new website, Holy Turf, which claims to explore the "Passion of College Big 12/Sec Football." Despite the narrow nature of their site, one of the fabulous ideas they had was putting the team roster on the ice chest - offense in one color and defense in another. Team Captains are starred with an asterisk.


Loved the idea so much, I'm sharing it with you for Tulane Tailgating season.

Roll Wave Compadres!


P.S. Peggy found a wonderful new drink for tailgating season:

PIMMS RANGOON

Pimm's Cup with Ginger Ale and get this, a slice of cucumber. Pimm's Cup is a fruit liquor. The one currently produced by Pimm's is a gin. But Pimm's has made different types (vodka, whiskey, rum). Either way, it's a totally new orleans type of drink. Thanks Peggy!

Blessings, Confessions and Lap Dances

Things I am thankful for:

Michael Parenton is a Jet (When you’re a Jet, you’re a Jet all the way, from your first cigarette, til your last dying day...). Signed as a free agent on Sunday.

Troy Kropog joins Patrick Ramsey on the roster as a Tennessee Titan (35th in 4th round, 135 overall!)

Craig Gelhardt has an offer to attend rookie camp at Jacksonville. It didn't quite work out for Lester Ricard there, but I'm sure Craig can party with Jack Del Rio.

USC and Ohio State kicked LSU’s derriere up and down the NFL draft board. That alone would have made my weekend. Even Tulane's only pick went ahead of 5 of theirs. Ha! (I cannot WAIT for Michael Parenton to embarrass Glenn Dorsey and Tyson Jackson in the pros. Probably with his hand tied behind his back too. I’m sorry, I simply cannot explain why the Kansas City Chiefs have band-aided dumb with dumber on their roster)

Tulane took 2 out of 3 in the weekend series against Memphis.

There was a little drama after the game tied and went into overtime on Saturday. Memphis won. Sigh. One of our fans and a Tiger High fan had some words, next thing you know beer is flying, fists coming out in the middle of Ben Weiner Drive. TUPD whisked away the Tiger High fan (who refused to accept an apology) before anybody got hurt and things got more out of hand. Phew!

As much as we “hate” opposing teams who dare take on our beloved Tulane Green Wave, we in New Orleans love all of our visitors and in an effort to entice them to continue returning to our fine city, we want to make sure that they enjoy themselves as much as possible. Especially Tulsa during Southern Decadence, we hope they enjoy all of the free drinks bought for them by that very tall woman with an adam’s apple and man hands. We also hope that Houston Cooter fans choke on their gumbo. Just kidding. Not. Everybody else: WELCOME TO NEW ORLEANS!

I hate to say that I missed the Tulane football scrimmage after all of my talking about it. The T Club sponsored a crawfish boil and they brought in Mr. Mudbugs. So while I was busy pinching and sucking, the scrimmage got underway and ended right as I got settled into the bleacher next to the Sparks and the Moores. I barely was two words into a delightful conversation with Nell Sparks when the whistle blew and the gates opened to let fans out onto the field.

Last August Toledo staged the longest scrimmage in the history of America – almost 3 hours long, so I didn’t realize we’d have a book end with the shortest scrimmage in the history of America this spring with the team on the field for all of about 20 minutes. Well I did get to chat up the new Defensive End transfer from Iowa: Dezman Moses.

Tulane officially took the First NBC cup in this year’s baseball series with UNO. Hoo-ray!

There’s still one more game left to play out at Maestri in two weeks. But it really was no fun beating UNO completely last week. The thrill was gone. I kind of wanted a real opportunity to get back at UNO third baseman alumnus, TJ Baxter, for giving section 110 the bird last year (a little rude dontcha think?).

UNO beat Tulane badly last year, so I have not found much sympathy amongst the Tulane faithful about UNO's dismal performance against us. The score when UNO beat us last year was so embarrassing that Mr. and Mrs. Hullabaloo were still licking their wounds days after. This year Tulane won the first game by 8-3 and the second game by 14-0 with no mercy rule in place. Innings 6 through 9 were excrutiating to watch.

So now, for my confession.

My friends, Mrs. Hullabaloo needs an intervention. I am shopping ‘til I’m dropping.

At Target, I found some stylish paper plates for Tulane Homecoming next year. They will go perfect with this “serengeti” napkin pattern I found.

Which matches my new Tulane carry bag that I had monogrammed. Be jealous Tulane Hullabaloo-ettes!

See, I found the wonderfully talented Beth who embroiders. Embroidery Beth made this beautiful tote bag for her mother who attends the Tulane Baseball games. When I saw it, I squeeled “How Cute! I must have one!”

So I gave Beth my new insulated drink tub, my new zebra striped bag and she made me a replica of the bag she made her mom.

So while I was on a roll, I decided to keep window shopping online and I came across these things:

How cute for the Football Moms!

And won’t these be perfect for Peggy’s Sonoma Chicken Salad at homecoming next year?

I know Mr. Hullabaloo will just hate how impractical these BBQ skewers are, but they are just too cute to pass up.
I tell you this shopping has GOT to stop. Mrs. Hullabaloo needs to be restrained.

By the way, Nell called us on a Friday night at dinner to squeal about the insulator bags I found at Big Lots. She absolutely must have 4 of them. Apparently the east bank Big Lots are plum cleaned out, so I went and cleaned out the Gretna Big Lots.

Indeed, these insulator bags are fabulous. It small and compact, yet fits all of the important ingredients for Bloody Marys at Tailgating on Saturday, including the side pockets for a radio headset, toothpicks, bottle opener, knife, extra koozie, what have you.

And for the ECU series, it was perfect to tote some Hullabaloo Tailgaters tee-shirts for Comedian Al. Comedian Al had demanded a lap dance in return for tickets to Saturday’s game against ECU. Al claimed that he’d given Mr. and Mrs. Hullabaloo “dozens” of tickets – which I just recall 2, but far be it from me to deny Al a lap dance to be performed by Mr. Hullabaloo if he was up to it.

Needless to say Mr. Hullabaloo declined the opportunity to perform. I have to add that New Orleaneans have learned: Lap Dances cannot be expensed. As in: don’t try to add it to your expense reports like former Senator Derrick Shephard tried to do. So in lieu of, we decided to gift Al one of our tailgating tee-shirts which we had debuted at the Tulane-Alabama game. Gratuitous cute photo of Mr. and Mrs. Hullabaloo walking into Bryant Denny stadium sporting said cute tee-shirts.

We were so proud of the Greenwave that night! Tulane held Alabama to a shaky win and we walked out of the stadium just floating on air. Alabama fans were embarrassed about that win. It was ugly. We forced 3 fumbles, they missed an extra point and field goal. John “Sarah Jessica” Parker Wilson only completed 11 of 23 passes for 73 yards! Miss Parker did not get drafted this weekend. Can you tell I am anxious for Tulane Football season to get started?

UPDATE: The Ray Hester chapter has sold us the aprons. Egads, more shopping! But fortunately, we can finally take the scarlett THIEF tatoos off of our foreheads! Peggy and I are having the aprons embroidered for Mr. Koozie and Mr. Hullabaloo.

ROLL WAVE!

The Drama of the Traveling Aprons

Just Where has Mrs. Hullabaloo BEEN?

Girl, listen. Work has been getting in the way of enjoying Tulane baseball season and tailgating in the beautiful sunshine in March. But not too much you know. I got my priorities.

The Houston Cooters came into town last weekend. and stank. up. the. place. They can never be classy. An old idiot sitting in the handicap seating above 103 started desecrating the “Hullabaloo.”

We almost tossed him out.

Anyways, the morning of the Sunday game we joined the Ray Hester chapter to tailgate. Master Chef Ed grilled up my BYO-turkey burgers (made with the “no mess up” recipe). Delish, thank you Ed! Mr. Hullabaloo had his requisite hot dogs. and Mr. and Mrs. Hullabaloo brought all the trimmings for some fine bloody marys to share: our adorable “Hullabaloo!” throw cups, celery sticks, queen olives, Zing Zang mix, Three Olives vodka (essential) and Mr. Hullabaloo’s favorite: The Snap Beans. yummmmmm.

Of course we forgot the pickled asparagus, but we soldiered on.

Mrs. Hullabaloo also whipped up her tried, but true, corn salad from Williams-Sonoma’s fabulous, must have book: Backyard Barbecues.

Mrs. Hullabaloo has been making this corn salad for years to resounding reviews and a smattering of applause. Priscilla and Peggy requested it be posted, so I have obliged:

Williams-Sonoma Southfork Salad
(don’t quite remember why it’s from Southfork)

can of sweet corn (whole kernels)
one green bell pepper chopped into bits
one SMALL red onion chopped into bits
dozen chopped cherry or plum tomatoes (or one big beefsteak)
one minced up green jalapeno (DISCARD THE SEEDS OR YOU WILL WANT TO DIE)
one large rib of celery chopped into bits
handful FRESH chopped cilantro
handful FRESH chopped parsley
whomp of mayonnaise
few splashes from a can of chicken broth
few splashes red wine vinegar
salt and pepper to taste

and then place into adorable serving bowl – I used a plastic baseball bowl from Party City that is fabulous.

I also leave the salad sitting out of the fridge for a bit (while I’m packing up for tailgating) and then put into the cooler. Refrigerating it right away stops the flavors from getting mingled together properly.

So after the series with Houston is where the Drama Begins.

Mr. Hullabaloo was unavoidably detained from attending the Tulane Golf Classic due to business. Mrs. Hullabaloo had volunteered (a moment of weakness) to help serve Jambalaya to be lovingly prepared by Mr. Scott of the Ray Hester Chapter fame.

How boring to be alone.

So I called in the girls for reinforcement. Peggy, the one and only Patti Terranova (she of “Fourth and New Orleans fame”) and then the very lovely Terry from baseball.

We had a lovely day being silly and laughing like girls tend to do when grouped together.

See. Here’s a picture of Peggy licking the Jambalaya paddle.


To properly prepare for an appearance amongst English Turn's finest, I had stumbled into K-Mart of all places Sunday evening and hit the jackpot. Cute top, cute flip flops and fashionable carry-all bag:

Adorable.

Well, then Mr. Scott presented us with THE APRONS.

These are not just ordinary, won’t-be-caught-dead-in-that!-aprons. These were glorious dark evergreen aprons with a stunning embroidered crested T logo.

The very instant this apron is placed over your shoulders one is transformed from ho-hum into Fabulous. The powers of this apron transcends gender and race. Mystic these aprons are.

And we were NOT giving them back.

So Terry, Peggy and I frolicked around all afternoon, complimenting each other on our aprons (You look fabulous! No. YOU look fabulous! OK, we both look fabulous!). We used the English Turn Green as our catwalk.

We did pause to take photos of NFL superstar Matt Forte.

See, this is me trying to casually hide behind Peggy to take a photo after he left our station. All I got was Peggy's ear and then all background.

When he had arrived moments before this "candid shot" was taken, we all hugged him and peppered him with questions about this and that. So we chickened out on taking a photo in front of him because we didn’t want to look like complete stallker/groupies. It somehow would look better for us to act like fools while he's trying to play golf.

Luckily Patty has known Matt since he was in diapers so when he passed by later, we promptly tossed our phone cameras at her and dispatched her to take his photo so we didn’t look like complete fools. I won’t mention that I missed Mewelde Moore, superbowl champion, when I had to run an errand. I have put that disappointment out of my mind.

So at the end of the day, Mr. Scott and his wife start asking for the aprons. I had told Mr. Scott earlier in the day that the apron would have to be pried from my dead and lifeless body. I had even offered to PAY for the apron, but Mr. Scott said “No.”

There was just one acceptable solution: Liberate the Aprons.

When they started asking for the aprons, Peggy and I did what we had to do. We tossed them in the back of my trunk (yes, Mrs. Hullabaloo drove her car out to our station using the golf trail) and pretended not to hear her.

Mrs. Scott became more persistent! I got into my car. Terry had stashed her apron in her bag in the backseat, but had gone to powder her nose in the ladies room.

Peggy wandered over to help putting away everything. Then she was acting silly by doing mime instructions on how to manuever the car in the tight golf trail. She was dancing all around and frolicking. All the while Mrs. Scott would not cease from pestering about The Aprons.

I kept motioning to Peggy to Get. In. The. Car. Finally through gritted teeth: I yelled GET IN THE CAR!

We squeeled off.

Peggy starts screaming that we left behind Patti and Terry. Patti can get a ride with Mr. and Mrs. Scott! We needed to just save ourselves and leave them behind!

We were laughing so hard I about pee’d my pants. Meanwhile Terry heard the car squeel away so mid-nose powdering she busts out of the ladies room and takes off running behind the car. Patti calls us and yells at us to stop because poor Terry is running behind us. What. A. Hoot!

We spent the post-golf reception ducking and hiding from Mr. and Mrs. Scott behind plants and under the tables and such. Of course I called Patti and explained our bizarre behavior.

So then for the Tulane-LSU baseball game and - in rare form - Mr. and Mrs. Hullabaloo arrive completely empty handed.

Our poor refrigerator has nothing. That seems to happen when one does not grocery shop in a timely manner. We did not want to miss a second of the afternoon's festivities. So we grabbed two koozies and decided to see what the evening would have in store for us.

Luckily our wonderful friends, the Brothers B, had a delightful set up. Real rocks glasses, an impressive array of spirits, lick your fingers blackened ribeye and barbecue shrimp.

Quick thinking I remembered The Aprons and that it would be an acceptable offering to our hosts. Being that we were empty handed and showered with such generosity. I LENT the Brothers B the stolen aprons. Big Mistake.

Because they weren’t giving them back.

Ha ha! ROLL WAVE!!

The Brother's B “Lick Your Fingers Ribeye”
meat of your choice cut into bite size pieces
2 sticks butter per pound
generous handful of Prudhommes blackened seasoning
a ziplock bag
marinate overnight

at tailgating heat up a cured cast iron skillet glowing red. Add your meat, toss about, have a few sips of your drink, toss about some more and then serve.

Barbecue Shrimp
Hi-Do bakery french bread (they're on Terry Parkway)
pound Large heads-on shrimp or small prawns (we like the Westwego market)
stick of butter (American Beauty)
chicken broth cube or packet
packet italian dressing
smidge chopped fresh parsley
tons chopped thyme
massive scoop of Cajun seasoning (we use a secret blend from a friend)
generous shakes of cracked black pepper
generous splashes of white wine
dashes of water

Toss everything (except the bread and shrimps) together into a long deep pot or roasting pan. Adjust ingredients (add more of this/more of that) until you are happy with the flavorings. Maybe add some plain cayenne and some paprika if you want. Once the sauce is to your liking, add in your shrimps and simmer until they are cooked. Put some on a plate with some scoops of the sauce, break off pieces of the Hi-Do bread and make a mess!