Seahawks!! - 8/15/14

Or - How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Hawks.

Where's Mr. & Mrs. Seahawk when ya need'em?

Well, they weren't here so you'll have to just deal with a picture of us. Getting ready to go to the first Home Game of the 2014 Season for the Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks. 

Did I mention they won the Super Bowl?

Well, they did. They won the Super Bowl!!

In front of the Casa Seagrove with the little Crab Apple Tree.

The Stadium Link Station. Not particularly pretty but great location if you're going to the game. Future note, it's closer if you ride all the way to the International/Chinatown station. We'll get off there the next time we go…for the Packers.

But it doesn't take long to find some vendors hawking (Get it? Seahawks. Hawking? Gad, but I'm funny) their wares. These were sausages and such. Honestly, it seemed like everyone was eating. A lot of good healthy food was being taken down here. Like sausages, dogs, burgers and the like.

Mmmmmmm, good.

Ah, the excited fans. Do'ya see a theme?

The blue jerseys seem to be the most popular. You're gonna see a lot of them.

What the…!?!?! Two Seahawk Fans.

Peace, Baby!!

Hahaha, everywhere I go there are flowers.

Don' t worry, I just got the one shot.

It's sorta nice, right?

We aren't even to the Stadium yet. These guys were strung all along the walk up to the Stadium. You could be broke before you even get to the game.

The fans do love their stuff.

This was the first home game and some things have changed. The NFL has ruled that you can't bring in just any ol' bag anymore. Now they have to transparent AND of a certain size.

Love the Land of the Free and the Home of the Brave with Liberty and Justice for All.

Hahahaha, I admit it. I am beginning to resent all the intrusions into my life and ALL the many rules and regulations that, well, rule and regulate my life. 

Oh, they had metal detecting wands working as well as canines, too. Ahhhhh, modern life.

You'll hear more about this in just a minute.

And now you'll hear a little bit more about it.

See the posts? Well, it seems you CAN'T walk on the right side of these posts IF you have a backpack that isn't clear and transparent…like Obama's Administration. No, wait. That won't work, not at all. They really wanted these bags to be REALLY clear and transparent.

Anyway, I was asked to walk on the LEFT side of these posts because my bag…it wasn't clear nor transparent. 

Seriously!?!

Shake it off, Jack!! Shake it off.

And on to Hits & Hip-Hop. 

Never listen to them but they were giving away free...

…Mike and Ike's.

I'm always up for free and, BONUS, it was edible!!

What's that you hear!?!

It's Blue Thunder…making a joyous noise to the Team!!

Hooah!!

These guys always have a good time and let the crowd join in on the fun with them.

And the ones who enjoy it the most? The Cymbals!!

They really rock!!

Shaking it up, Blue Thunder Style!!

Drum Line!!!

Working it out!!

You'll see some more of Blue Thunder later.

Nothing but drums and brass…the cymbal kind.

We didn't see as many tail-gate parties but Occidental Avenue was a-hoppin' to the beat.

A big and friendly crowd. With a lot of blue jerseys. A lot.

This smell…it was compelling. It was enticing. And I had to walk a bit faster to get past it before I caved in.

See the two fans on the left there? I was surprised by how many fans dyed their hair the Seahawks colors. This is a kind of dedication I can only marvel at…I doubt I'll ever love a team enough to dye my hair the team colors. Ever.

This kid was all excited to get the Seahawks cheek decals. And she got 'em.

And, just as quickly, she put them on!!

I say Sea and you say Hawks!!

Sea!!

Hawks!!

And then, when I was digesting my little fans great devotion, I ran into this guy. And he was, honestly, one of the tamer ones I saw who had totally dyed all their hair.

I showed him the picture and he was pleased.

Hooah!!

At the North End of the field, they had a live band entertaining the folks. And they wuz loud!!!

Good, but loud.

Then, after the loud band, we saw the news trucks queuing up. And, in there, behind the trucks was John Hopperstad, reporter and weekend anchor.

Woo, woo!! Fox News rocks.

The North End of CenturyLink Field.

I don't know what these all represent. The bottom one is a city skyline. That's about all I know of it but it is easily recognizable as part of CenturyLink Field.

See!! There's the skyline!! And the Seahawks…ruling over all they see.

It was still about an hour before kick-off and the crowds were picking up. Man, the security you have to go through these days.

Artsy-Fartsy Alert!!

The next three pictures are my lame attempt at capturing something with artistic merit.

Plop!!

Missed.

but I am undaunted and included them all anyway. Go figure.

One.

Two.

Three.

Done.

And then we heard Blue Thunder for the second time. They were over behind the band which was taking a fortunate break right then.

Blue Thunder putting on a show.

These guys, obviously, have a great time each time they perform.

And the blue jerseys.

We saw a couple of Chargers fans. Just a couple.

See the kids in the left foreground? They were dressed like that for a serious reason. They were soliciting money for the fight against cancer. 

The motto was, "Boobs, Sweat and Tears" There were several groups walking around looking for spare change and these kids were the most colorful. 

Da crowd, Boss!! Da crowd!!

Oh, look!! There's one of them!! Boobs, Sweat and Tears. And blue jerseys.

There was a LOT of greasy, tasty but not, unfortunately, healthy food being consumed. ALOT!!

Everywhere I looked someone was scarfing down a burger, dog or brat. I was both hungry and jealous.

Artys-Fartsy Alert.

Lame.

'Nuff said.

Hahaha, I know!! Go figure!! I acknowledge it's lame and yet I still keep it in the blog. I don't know why.

In addition to all the folks, and there were plenty of different ones, trying to get our donations there were other folks out there for reasons other than rooting on the Seahawks.

Like this Happy Chappy. He was advocating for some more peace. But he left me pondering for the rest of the day just what, exactly, would Chief Seattle say? Hmmmmm…I have no idea.

None.

Goooooooo, Hawks!!

And then, from out at the end of the parking lot came the dulcet and tender notes of…

BLUE THUNDER!!!

Making noise and marching into the stadium.

Oh, and having fun, too!!

Shaking it up and making a mighty noise!!

Don't smile, dammit!!!

Rat-a-tat-tat...

All hail the Mighty Seahawks!!

Super Bowl Champions!!

And Blue Thunder!!

Selfie!! 

It never gets old!!

So, the NFL, in its infinite wisdom has decreed that this year, ALL bags brought into ANY stadium anywhere must be…unlike Barry's administration…clear AND transparent.

Some folks didn't get the word.

But, don't worry!! The NFL found a way to help them out. They set up these lockers, see 'em on the right side. for the fans.

Oh, they are ever so helpful.

Annnnnd, it only costs $10 a bag to store them. Cash, no checks or credit cards.

Hmmmm, that's a seriously hefty sum of Cash, no checks or credit cards right there. That line was long, folks. 

Very long.

We were tired and I wanted to get back home in time to actually watch the game so we headed out. We decided to catch the Link at the Chinatown Station and discovered, by-the-by, that it is closer than the Stadium Link Station. Hmmmmmm...

We found that we were swimming upstream.

We had to, literally, stand to one side to let the foot traffic go by.

But there was time for one more selfie as we waited for the Link to go home.

There's always time for a selfie, right?

It was fun. It's good to have football back and we'll be going to some other games to kibbutz. 

The only difference I noted was that it wasn't as electric, as exciting as it was when we went to the first game which was a play-off game. It was fun, but I imagine it'll get better as the Seahawks win and get closer to a return trip to The Super Bowl.

Life is good…when you're a Seahawks Fan.

Hooah!!