Game Day - 9/4/14

Or - Why Not Us?

It's game day for Seattle…not the team but the city. It's the first game of the regular season…it all counts now. And the city is ready. Seattle is ready to Rock 'N Roll!!

And so are we. Being the naturally poor folk we are, we can't afford the $300+ for a ticket (notice that ticket is SINGULAR and not plural…as in ONE!!) so we go to the festivities before the game and then come back and watch the game in the comfort of our couch. 

Hahahahaha, works for me!!

And so, today, we were off to see what was up for Opening Day of the regular season when the Seattle Seahawks will take on the Green Bay Packers. I admit, I am torn…who to root for? In the end, I am going with the Hometown Team…Gooooo, Seahawks!!!

FRESHLY CUT HEDGE SELFIE ALERT!!

Hahahaha, guess what we did before we got ready to go to the game? We trimmed the hedges. Looks good, doesn't it!?! 

Damn skippy it does.

We look kinda good, too. If I do say so myself.

Link Station Selfie Alert!!

Hahahaha, get used to it. I was in a 'Selfie' kinda mood today. 

At the Othello Station for the Link. Because of the opening game today; and because of the concert and all the other activities they have going on, the Link was running extra trains. Every five minutes they were running trains today. Hooah!! And still it was crowded…sorta.

On the Link downtown there were about 20 to 25 people. And there was only ONE who wasn't wearing some kind of Seahawk apparel. Only ONE!! 

Riding the Link Selfie Alert!!

And we were fitting right in with Carol showing off her Seahawk colored phone with the Seahawk decals on it. 

Gooooo, Seahawks!!

Artsy-Fartsy Alert!!

The exit from the Pioneer Square Link Station. 

Harumph!!  I thought it was nice.

And as soon as we got to the street level, we were inundated with Seahawk Fans!! 

Everywhere!!!

And a very strong and very visible police presence. They even had plenty of extra security on the Link. 

Plus, these guys are just cool looking…Mounted Patrol.

Occidental Park Selfie Alert!!

You can get a sense of how crowded it was. Plenty of people and plenty of fans. Although, I have to say, there were more Packers Fans than I expected. And they were passing through the crowds without being harassed, too. Cuz Seahawks Fans treat our inferiors with a wee bit of respect. A wee bit.

Occidental Park was awash with people, stands and activity.

Lots of lines, too.

Like this one with Giant Mustache Guy.

Don't ask me. I just take the pictures.

The X-Box Tent was a-hoppin'!!!

And then this…these guys were throwing out t-shirts and other things.

See that Big Dummy with the tattoo on his right arm directly in front of me? The Big Dummy with the dark blue hat on? 

I am POSITIVE that they were throwing that t-shirt to me but that Big Dummy jumped up and grabbed it before it got to where it was intended to go…which was me if you hadn't noticed yet.

Big Dummy!!!

However, someone did get what they jumped up and down for...

…This one got a pack of Topps Fantasy Football Cards. 

And I got a mini-lecture about if you want it you've got to jump up and down for it.

Harumph!!!

The park was really moving with a lot of stuff going on.

And a lot of people, too.

Snickers had a stand and if you made a Hungry Face, you got some free candy. 

I asked this young lady to show me her Hungry Face…

Yeah, Hungry!!

Look!! A couple of CheeseHeads!!

Then this one showed off her signs.

Smack the Pack!!

Re Pete 

(Carroll…get it? Hahahaha)

The dog was deliberately Photo-Bombing!!

This is notable for a couple reasons…first, Seattle looks for any excuse to go outside and drink. And so the sidewalk was awash, awash I tell you, with drinkers and covered tables. 

Second, see the Rv just to the left of center? It is painted in Seahawk Colors!! Yeah!! That's what I'm talkin' bout!!

Seriously, they painted their RV in Seahawk Colors!!

Heading down Occidental Ave towards CenturyLink…Home of the Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks.

A lot of people were named Wilson.

And we spotted these two stalwarts.

Ready to wave their flags for the Seahawks!!

And this guy. Dedicated. With a bag.

I kinda felt like I was back at ComiCon or 14PAX.

Except for that Cheesehead who Photo-Bombed us.

Cheeseheads!! Sheesh!!

Heading down Occidental Ave alongside the stadium. Sluggers was doing great business. In fact, everyone was doing great business. 

It is amazing the amount of money this team is bringing to the city…and really, not just the city. People fly in for these games; stay in hotels/motels; eat; drink; buy souvenirs; rent cars; ride the Link; spend, spend, spend.

It's a gold mine, folks!!

And it is multi-generational. This boy will be a life-long Seahawk fan. Betcha!!

Riding on his Daddy's shoulders and waving a Seahawk Talon!!

Does it get any better for a little boy!?!

The big glass building at the North end of Century-Link.

Flying its '12' Flag.

With the campanile from the James Street Amtrak Station.

And this guy who is obviously enjoying the game already.

I still don't know exactly what he had on his head but it was something fowl.

Hahahaha, I still got it.

Again, there were lots of 'different' outfits there today. 

Annnnd, one of the more popular spots there today. I know the shot is blurry but it gives you an idea of the lines…all about 20 or so feet from the actual honey pot itself. You may have to wait, but you don't have to smell.

Hahahahaha!!!

The Hot Dog Guy was there drumming up business!!

And we saw…Mr. Mohawk!!

So, we've met Mrs. Seahawk and now we've met…Mr. Mohawk.

And, true to his name, he has a Mohawk…of sorts.

And this friendly fellow.

Truly. 

Dedicated.

What the…Twelfie Alert!!

And then this one got herself a #Twelfie!!

A grab shot…seemingly rational people dressing…irrationally.

Go figure.

Hahahaha, this one saw a TV star and…BAM!!

OK, so here's what happened.

Carol went to pose with the Geico Lizard and while I was taking the picture above, a Geico Girl was taking this picture. Then, before we walked away, she asked if we'd like the picture and she sent it to my cell phone.

Pretty clever, Geico. And effective.

Oh, we did defer an opportunity to do something or the other for a chance to win $200. What's money, right!?!

Nicely done.

CenturyLink Field…

…Home of the Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks!!

The '12' flag was hanging off the North side of SafeCo Field. Home of the Seattle Mariners.

Da Fans…waiting in line…beneath a Seahawk…Which is, in reality, an Augur Hawk…from Africa. 

The Seattle Seahawk is named Taima the Hawk and he is one of the hardest-working birds in the NFL. He's always the first out of the tunnel to start the game and one of the last to leave.

Taima has been surveying the sidelines of CenturyLink Field since 2007. His name means "Thunder," and it was chosen by Seahawks fans.

We were heading back for the kick-off and the crowds were still heading in…for the game.

It was like swimming upstream.

We're Leaving Selfie Alert!!

It was fun and it was real but it wasn't any way to see the game so…we were headed back to the Link. Always time for one more selfie, though.

Always.

Some soon-to-be-disappointed Packers Fans.

Hahahaha, sorry bout dat!!

Elevator Selfie Alert!!

Haha, I admit it. I'm too old and fat to be taking ALL those stairs. Especially when there's an elevator handy.

A view from the elevated walkway leaving CenturyLink Field. You can see the campanile in the distance with the skyline of Seattle.

Carol saw these pants several times during the day and each time I got an elbow in the gut with a "Do you see those pants!?!" comment.

So, finally, I got a picture of one of them…along with a Seahawk Flag.

Are they pajamas? I don't know.

And this!!

Darth Vador was sneaking into the game. Incognito.

Helmet? Check!!

Beads? Check!!

Funky pants? Check!!

Dignity? Fuggetaboutit!!

I mean it, we were, literally, swimming upstream…against the current all the way back to the Link. The crowds were…crowded.

And this guy kept flying around and around the Stadium.

12

Mind you, the Link was running extra trains and each one that arrived was nearly full of Seahawks fans…and an occasional Cheesehead.

Gooooo, Seahawks!!

A look back at CenturyLink Field…and the championship flags.

And that was it. We were finished.

Until the kick-off, that is.

Which we are watching from the inexpensive comfort of our living room couch.

Hooah!!

That's right, we're the Champs!!

Getting ready to head out onto the field. Of course, Taima the Hawk will precede them. 

Here come YOUR 2014 Seattle Seahawks!!

Did I mention they are the Super Bowl Champs?

Rock 'N Roll

And, the 2014 campaign is underway!!

And the Seahawks have an early lead.

So now there is 3:32 left in the Third Quarter and the Hawks are WINNING by 29 - 16. 

It doesn't look good for the Packers.

It's gonna be a great season.

It's gonna be a lot of fun.

Life is, indeed, good.

Hooah!!

P.S. I just found this on Facebook. It's from today's game.

Some people…never miss a chance to make some money.

Thank goodness for the Link.

P.P.S. 

Seattle won.