Cheating death (aka wearing orange and blue to OSU)

Today, as many of you know, was the Ohio State/University of Illinois football game.  My friend Kristen’s boyfriend Joe went to grad school at OSU and had a ticket to the game but Kristen didn’t so she wondered if we’d like to ride up to Columbus, tailgate, and watch the game with her up there somewhere.  of course, we went.  I tried to convince Mairead that OSU’s colors were actually orange, not red, so when choosing an outfit she should try to wear as much orange as possible, but she didn’t believe me.

Mairead is from Pennsylvania.  Kristen is from Texas.  Neither one of them particularly like football (ok so I don’t really like Football, I just love the Illini so I am actually interested in the football, unlike the two of them).  so we drove up, went to this random tailgate where Joe knew this guy (the guy who had a ticket for Joe), ate chili, and I had a conversation with the dude about how even though I really wanted Illinois to win and I thought we could do it, we’re a young team and still working out some issues while OSU has been solid all season so it wouldn’t be surprising if they won.  He appreciated my analysis of the situation and didn’t kick me out for supporting Illinois.  Then we went to some street party where we had to pay 7.50 for a beer (Bud light!  what?  that is totally not cool) and some cheesy cover band played oldies while old men hit on us.  not a success.  After that Joe had to go to the game and we had to find a place to watch it so we walked down to BW3s, which was obviously packed.  fortunately two guys were sitting alone at a big table and they let us share their space.  They nicknamed me “Illini” and told me to shut up a lot, but eventually we became friends.  I would have felt more nervous but there was a small table of Illini fans on the other side of the bar (they’d do ILL I’d do INI) so I knew they’d have my back.  People only glared a little bit.  I refrained from jumping onto my chair and singing the alma mater at the end, though I was tempted.

btws Illinois won!  we are so cool.  I’ll post photos soon.