I can't believe they canceled the massage appointments

I don't want to suggest that this is a major issue, but this is a major issue. Everything I've tried to write about this makes me sound like a spoiled brat, so I'm going to abstain. 

At least the morning at the Media Center was good! Saw lots of players again, got some good pics and Steve went to the NFL experience to check out the rings. There is a cool display showing one ring from each year - definitely cool and worth checking out. 

Catch Up Post

What day is it??? It must be Friday, but it's hard to believe we've been on the ground here for a full week now. Here's a quick recap of Wednesday and Thursday... 

Because Brightman was down here for meetings on Tuesday, his flight out was on Wednesday. Managed to get over to the Media Center early for a quick walk through. Mike was kind enough to do the honors and show the layout. The NFL experience was closed to everyone but media and the Play60 kids, so had a chance to pop in for a few quick picks. Opted to go over for the Commissioner's press conference instead of lunch which was a bit fiery at times. I've noticed over the years that the questions are more pointed and challenging - I think he has created a different relationship with the press these past few years, and it shows. It was a quiet evening... I finished up work and we headed back up to Irma's for Mexican... 

Thursday of course was the arrival day of Steve Shipman! Prior to his getting in I headed over for Gaga's press conference. She and Terry Bradshaw had a great interaction, although pretty sure he was drunk, and overall she came across very well. A very intelligent and articulate woman. Shipman got in close to 2 and got settled in the hotel and then we hit the pool area bar for a mule then headed over to the media center. Place was pretty hopping given it was a Thursday afternoon and finally, FINALLY, I saw Ted Johnson and got a selfie. It's been 16 years and I've never asked for a pic with a player and this is the one I've been waiting for. Steve got to see a bunch of players and media personalities - thought he was going to pass out when he saw Michael Irvin :) 

Dinner was a little... unusual. I found a great looking bar and restaurant called El Big Bad on Open Table. The menu looked amazing, so I booked it as this was sort of a reunion dinner. Me, Mike, Shipman, Liam, DT and Sig made it to the restaurant only to discover that they had a 'different' menu for Super Bowl week. Which translates into a burger, hotdog and street tacos. Which were very tasty I can assure you, but when you are out for dinner with the VP of Communications for the NFL.... Thankfully Sig was at least gracious. Every one else has made it clear that I won't be living this down. 

Austin and Back Again

LONG day! Drove to Austin for meetings today - and back again, which means a little over 5 hours in the car... But sessions with our business partner were great so completely worth the schlep. 

Tonight was the Media Party which was held at the Natural Science Museum. Really great job by the host committee - the venue was excellent, food was very good, bars were open... couldn't ask for much more, plus there were different musical motifs in the different parts of the museum. Had a blast - and was particularly great to be able to share it with our friend Mark. 

 

You Can't Get There From Here...

Last 'slow' day of the trip I think... The guys were over to the media center early. Falcons arrive Sunday and Pats on Monday, so credential pick up should be picking up as well. I had a quiet morning in the room then went down to the hotel restaurant for lunch. Super Bowl prices are... extremely high. Outrageously, crazy high. I had some ceviche for lunch (which wasn't great) and a cup of coffee. Like the kind of cup of coffee where they wander around with a carafe and ask if you want more coffee, kind of coffee. Six bucks. SIX BUCKS for that cup of coffee... I'm going to have to start foraging more effectively. 

Spent an hour sitting by the pool listening to an audio book - people are finally in the water and the kids all looked like they were having a blast. Access to the hotel elevators is now controlled by security, which means that there were a lot of fans coming in to the lobby. With the whole of the NFL village and NFL experience just outside the door, there are a lot of people 'people watching'. It always makes me smile to see how excited everyone is as they get pictures with the SB stuff that's on display. 

Made a dinner reservation for me, Mike and Liam over at the 1600 bar and grill. It's just across the park over at the Hilton, which of course is the location where in 2004 we saw a woman ask Steven Tyler for his autograph and when he said yes, she dropped her pants so he could sign her ass. Classic moment. But getting there was ridiculous. We actually had to go through the NFL Village which was cray-cray... but again - fun to see the fans and the kids running around. There is an ice skating rink in there - may have to give that a shot later in the week. Then again, don't want a broken ankle and knee is wonky so perhaps not. 

Would like to report that while the Moscow Mules are not served in the appropriate copper cup, the pool side bar makes an EXCELLENT version. Will report back further on this later in the week. 

 

And the guys get their credentials...

Saturday is the PR kick off meeting and stadium walk through, so Mike and Liam headed out pretty early. There is a coffee bar that sells Starbucks, so our morning ritual has now been instituted where Mike showers first, Liam goes in next and Mike goes to get the coffee and tea, while I sit in bed and do nothing. It's awesome. I did a little research on Atlas Obscura and have discovered that the famed beer can house is only 3 miles away... may need to put that on the list of 'must see' locations later in the week. 

I have managed to bork my knee a bit, so decided to take it easy today. Sat by the pool for while - absolutely no one out there. Of course 50 degrees here means hats, scarves and mittens while for a Bostonian it means 'Bring the Commander a margarita!' 

The SB can't properly start for me without seeing DT and getting our annual selfie. The only reason I get to be here every year, and why Mike still gets to work the event, is because of his generosity. I don't know how to thank him for 16 years of amazing SB memories, but maybe if he and his lovely wife Sara come visit us in Boston, we can somehow make a dent in it! 

Had dinner at Irma's Southwest Grill. Food was awesome, margaritas were great and the walk was short - perfect. The area around the hotel is really busy - pretty much everything is located here and the convention center and NFL experience are just across the street. Had a glass of wine in the hotel bar with Mike and DT, headed up to the pool area to check out the view - which was fantastic. Houston has done a MUCH better job creating a buzz around the event downtown than they did in 2004. 

 

Heading to Houston

Had an incredibly uneventful journey to Houston. Cab driver was a tad surly but it was 5:30 am, trip to Logan had very little traffic, checked in bags at curbside and made it through security unscathed. Got to Houston about noon, took a cab to the hotel and got familiar with the place. Priority was of course placed on figuring out where Shipman's air mattress was going when he gets here on Thursday... The hotel is the Marriot Marquis which was apparently only finished about a month ago. Pool is AMAZING - took me a bit to figure out it was the shape of Texas. Lots of police and security in general at the hotel, which is always great to see. 

Headed out for Mexican and the traditional Super Bowl kick off beverage, a margarita. Went back to hotel, booked a massage for Liam and a facial for me - I don't even remember eating dinner, I was so relaxed. Overall excellent start to SB51!