It is a well-known fact that I am a Ute Football fan. A big one. I have been looking forward to the game on the 17th for weeks! The day before, my work schedule went all over the place. For the first time in six years, I was unable to watch the football game that, in the past, I wait all year to see. Trust me. I was peeved. But such is life. It doesn't always go the way that you plan.
Still, this year's experience proved to be one of a kind. I was in the kitchen by 4:30 pm and would be there until 11:15 pm. I worked a function with Michelle, Alicia, Shelby, Cheryl, and Phil. Phil, crazy man, was the only cheering for BYU. I learned through the night that he is as intense of a fan of his team as I am of mine, but he is a bit more vocally aggressive towards the opposing team when his is losing. I have my moments, but I try not to be as vocal in public. We turned on the radio at kick off and heard bits and pieces as we went in and out of the kitchen. Whenever something big happened, we passed it around the room so that we felt somewhat attached to the game.
When BYU made a touchdown and the score moved up to 10 to 7, Phil really let us know it. I was really depressed and nervous for my team. My tables were crazy and the night was moving extremely slowly. I was afraid that the game was further along than it was. Dad texted me and let me know it was only the middle of the 2nd quarter. Sigh of relief :)
I don't know how the timing worked out so well, but the group of us were all standing in the kitchen, hanging onto the radio announcer's every word, praying that Utah could make a come back. I felt like we went back in time, before television existed, and we were all huddled around a radio. We heard the touchdown that led Utah to take back the lead and hold it for the rest of the game. We made such a racket, I'm sure the people in the room heard us. I jumped up and down, like I do. Michelle went and tried to give everyone a high five. When she got to me, I even surprised myself at my excitement. I hit her hand and completed the high five, but the motion got the better of me and I proceeded to smack her in the face! She was shocked. I was shocked. I apologized and we laughed. I don't think that I hit her terribly hard, just enough to surprise us both.
Morgan was helping us and witnessed the whole thing. She completed the moment by asking, "If that is how Jenny reacts to Utah scoring, look out if BYU scores again!" It is true. I resemble the Hulk. The girls were hoping for BYU to score again, just to see what would happen.
So, I would have loved to watch the game. Listening to it on the radio is so hard because every play seems to be a surprise. I don't like being a step behind. I want to watch every step of a 62 yard run by Jon White. Next year, I'll take care to have a ticket. I guess I better start saving today!
GO UTES!
Way to Represent!
P.S. I asked Dad to keep me updated on the status of the game because I didn't know until I arrived at work that I would be on the 9th floor. After we had a significant lead, Dad became quite creative with his nicknames for the team down south. "BY Boo Hoo..." was his favorite and it kept me laughing.
*The photos copied from The Deseret News
Stories about the "Pepper Lady" to come later...
