WOW. This will definitely go down in the record books as one of my most Epic Weekends, ever! Talk about an absolutely gorgeous weekend living life in Northwest New Jersey's Sussex County. I was able to golf with one of my best friends for our first time in nearly 20 years, and also taking in The New York Giants game at MetLife Stadium. I think I did pretty well blending in with my New York Football Giants fan friends!
The Giants have broken my diehard Patriots fan heart twice in The Super Bowl. Before moving here, they were definitely one of the banes of my existence. When the Giants are on television, years ago at sports bars, when Eli Manning would throw one of his typical interceptions into triple coverage, I would SCREAM at the TV. Everyone would do a double take at me, as I'm wearing one of my Bill Belichick Patriots hooded sweatshirts and ask "wait you're the diehard Patriots fan, why are you so angry at Eli's interception?" I would then respond with "because he's this bad, and the Effer beat me twice in The Super Bowl!!!!" UGH! Now that I've been here in New Jersey for almost 9 years (wow, talk about time flying,) I've accepted the Giants. When it comes to local teams here I've basically taken on the role of while I don't necessarily root for the teams directly, I do root for my friends to be happy. That being said, was I guilty of giggling at times Saturday night when the New York Yankees weren't doing so well? Yes, I am definitely guilty of that. That being said, I largely cheer on the local teams to support the happiness of my friends. On top of that, when I have a player from the local teams on my fantasy football Radioboyz Team (yes, of course I spell Radioboyz with a Z because I'm such a bad@$$) like Saquon Barkley for example, even better! My bestie Artie yelled at me yesterday saying "stop saying give it to Saquon nonstop, root for all of the Giants, not just him!" I can't help that I'm rooting for my unlikely Fantasy Football success! Talk about a beautiful October Fall weekend in Jersey that I enjoyed!
Friday night, I met up with some of my go to besties for happy hour at Hef's Hutt in Vernon. The weather was absolutely gorgeous. Even though we stayed inside, the views were absolutely tremendous. I was grateful that my besties were willing to go outside for a few minutes to for my Epic Weekend In Picture selfies. I had a great time with JG, Christine and Chris. Christine and Chris are wonderful friends, and also apparently freaks who love Halloween decorating. They have ghost dolls in their Jeep Wrangler. All sorts of special! LOL.
1 of 5 Photo: Chris, Christine and me! Photo cred to JG
2 of 5 Photo: Me, Chris, Christine and JG
3 of 5 Photo: Fun at The Giants game!
4 of 5 Photo: Ballyowen yes please!
5 of 5 Photo: Beautiful Ballyowen this time of year wow!
Saturday, here we go! I successfully accomplished minor errands like picking up my dry cleaning. I drank two treinta shaken iced green teas from Starbucks knowing that there was a big day ahead of me.
Nate has been one of my best friends for almost 20 years. We first met while both working as employees for then CBS Radio's WBMX Mix 98.5 then Mix 104.1. We both shared the same exact passion about radio and music. Ironically, we're both diehard Pearl Jam fans too. Years down the road, I ended up taking Nate to his first Pearl Jam concert! You know me, as a beginner golfer I enjoy going out a few times a year if possible. I don't care about keeping score, even though I want to do as well as possible.
I love the misery that golf brings me. I've learned over these past few years, there are only a couple of things that get me away from thinking about my radio career 24/7. I have learned that only watching Patriots football games, and golf, are basically the only two things that get me in such a zone, I'm not thinking about work at all. I'm so into the dynamics and strategy of New England Patriots football games, and with how mentally taxing golf is, there it is. That's basically my escapism from work.
Nate just got into golf within the last couple of years. We have always had it as an on the radar goal, us golfing together. This week we were randomly texting each other and quickly realized 'WOW! This Saturday could actually work for both of us!" His wife, awesome bestie Lauren was so supportive. Each time we made further plans I said "you sure your wife with the baby is okay with this, right?" She definitely was fully on board and supportive for mine and Nate's day of fun. I was deeply honored years ago when he asked me to be a groomsmen for their wedding, and I still am to this day.
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WOW. Nate and I definitely had an Epic Adventure for our first time ever golfing together. Nate had only seen Ballyowen in videos and pictures, until Saturday. He just kept looking around this absolutely ridiculously gorgeous Crystal Springs Ballyowen landscape saying "oh wow!" Ballyowen is so amazing. It was my second time ever golfing there and I highly recommend it just for the views alone. To have a place that makes you feel like you're in Scotland / Ireland, right here in northwest New Jersey? WOW.
Nate and I are both basically beginner golfers. Years ago when we first met, quickly we were basically joined at the hip and coworkers jokingly called us the dynamic duo. We always ended up together, partially because of our shared passion, and coworkers probably figured out we were the only ones who could stand each other.
Our first day ever golfing together absolutely was legendary and lived up to the hype. We were loving taking in all of the beautiful Fall Foliage around us. Ironically enough, most of our shots landed within just feet of each other. Seriously, 60% of our shots were basically identical. We kept laughing all day about how everyone joked that we were destined to end up together, and on the golf course we definitely were. WOW. By hole 17, our new friend Kevin said "this is honestly impressive. Your shots literally keep ending up directly beside each other." At one point on a putting green Nate accidentally hit my ball, I just burst out laughing saying "at this rate, I'm stunned it took this long for that to happen!" It was also great getting to show Nate my Campus Tiki Bar at Minerals, the beautiful ambiance of Minerals Sports Club, and more. We then ended up doing dinner at The Cottage, where I had wings (not shocking at all,) and Nate had Shepherd's pie. Success!
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Sunday, here we go! My first time going to a Giants game at Metlife in a few years! My bestie Artie warned me of their tailgating ritual where for a 1pm game, they leave Crystal Springs by 7am. Not very often on a Sunday morning I need to set my alarm for 6am! Well worth it. I was at his place by 6:50am ready to rock.
WOW. For years Artie has been inviting me to join him for their tailgating football routines. I've always said that at some time I would make time. For years I haven't. Late last week, it was like a light bulb clicking moment. Tomorrow isn't promised for any of us. I looked ahead and saw that the weekend weather was looking gorgeous. I looked at the Giants upcoming schedule (I know, who am I?) and noticed their next two games are on the road, and then they have a bye week. In November when I'm likely working weekends for our Stuff The Bus Radiothon food drives, going to a Giants game isn't going to happen for me. I went on Ticketmaster Friday and bought one ticket. I'm 40 years old. This was my first time ever buying just one single ticket for a sporting or concert event. I didn't even care. I tend to make friends wherever I go anyway, and at a football game it's probably pretty likely. Surely enough, I had a great time at the game and made new friends.
Artie's tailgate party is fantastic and absolutely lives up to the hype. I enjoyed yummy pork and steak. Artie looked at me while cooking sausage and eggs, sheepishly saying "I'm betting you're waiting for the steak, eh?" I said "you're absolutely right! I'm holding out for that!"
Talk about a gorgeous day at MetLife Stadium! I had a blast. My only mistake was not charging my phone enough before the game as basically died during the game. That's my one regret, forgetting to bring a charger. Other than that, it was amazing!
The Giants won and are 5-1! My friends jokingly referred to me as a Giants good luck charm, LOL. We had a wonderful time.
Thank you so much for taking the time to read my Epic Weekend In Pictures. Time to start planning next weekend!