GIANTS WIN!!!
Monday 14th January 2008
at 02:44pm
So I don’t know if I even need to say this but I didn’t sleep much last night. Nancy and I walked to our place from the Steakhouse, I drove her home and got back around 11pm. I was kind of wide eyed as I contemplated the game I had just attended. It was magical to say the least. The pictures flying all around the internet and via email put paid to the idea that it was one of the classics.
My immediate thought was to get the video up and loaded (pictured above). Firstly, I wanted to watch it all again anyway, but second, I knew some people’d get a kick out of seeing it loaded so soon. As I said on the actual post for that day, I had it done by 3am but fell asleep watching the final cut. It usually takes me 3, 4 or 5 hours to put them together and it’s another hour or two to have it published and loaded onto YouTube. It’s been well worth it though.
As for today Kelly let me have a sleep in (8am) ‘cause she knew I was up for most of the night. Bearing in mind she had only just come back from Vegas and I was out yesterday, today was the first time since last Tuesday that we had to hang out as a foursome. As lazy as it might seem, we did absolutely nothing but play games with the boys eat lunch and sort out a few things around the house. Ben took this photo of Luc which we think is just priceless.
By the time 330 hit my mate Robbo had come over so that we could head out to watch the Giants, Cowboys game together. I was very happy to stay home and watch it but we only have one TV and locking it on football for 4 hours isn’t anybody else’s idea of fun. Who would SpongeBob, Wubsy, Dora and Diego entertain if we weren’t watching them after all?
Having joked about it previously Rob and I decided to go to Hooters for something different. I love wildlife and birds are especially my favourite. I was really hoping to see a white owl whilst we were there. There were pictures of owls everywhere but none to be seen in real life. All of the girls were wearing blaze orange pants though so perhaps they were going out after work to hunt one down and bring it back?
We might have to go again next week to see.
Obviously we were rooting for the Giants so watching this game was tough. I didn’t want to see them play too well but I did want them to win the game. What a conundrum we found ourselves in.
To cut a long story short the first 3 quarters didn’t mean much ‘cause the game was kept close. That didn’t stop me from going totally berserk when anything big happened for either team. When there’s still time on the clock though there’s still time to win the game. In particular I recall:
- The Eli Manning to Amani Toomer 52 yard TD pass that put the Giants up 7 - 0
- The 10 minute, 20 play, 90 yard TD drive that seemed to give Dallas all of the momentum in the world heading into halftime at 14 - 7
- The 46 seconds, 7 play, 71 yard TD drive that Eli mastered with what little time Dallas had left them in the half to equal it at 14 - 14
- The dropped ball by Patrick Creyton on 3rd and 13 in the 3rd quarter that would have at the very least, guaranteed a first down
The 4th quarter was the most nerve-wracking period of any type of sport I have ever watched in my life. Personally, I and every single individual and business here in Green Bay had so much riding on the result of this game that I wanted nothing but a win for the boys in blue.
For the most part I’m a good sport. I’ve watched World Cup Soccer Games, Rugby League, Rugby Union and Australian Rules Football Grand Finals. I’ve seen International Cricket matches and a whole host of other events where I’ve been barracking for a particular team or individual with everything that I’ve got. In the event of a win, I go absolutely nuts, when my team has lost I tend to get over it pretty quickly. That’s just the way I am.
Today was different though. I didn’t want to go to Dallas next week, I didn’t want to spend the money, I didn’t want to have to find a ticket, a hotel or transportation, I didn’t want to be away from Kelly and the boys for 3 more days. Kelly didn’t want to stay with friends whilst I was gone either. I was confident we could win in Dallas, don’t get me wrong. I just didn’t want to go there.
As the fourth quarter unfolded I was stunned at the pressure the Giants frontline was able to get on Romo. I watched, sometimes out of my seat, almost always excitedly, as they pounded through their holes to sack him twice, ground the ball intentionally and throw it away at times. It was awesome. The momentum was certainly on the side of New York.
Having said that, the game came down to the final 3 plays from the Giants 23 yard line. Trailing by 4, a touchdown, which was easily attainable, would have won them the game:
- Pass 1, incomplete. I barely moved out of my seat
- Pass 2, incomplete. I put my head in my hands
- Pass 3, he stepped up, he looked, he looked, I panicked, almost wet myself, he threw, I felt like I was going to pass out. The ball took what seemed like forever to get to the end zone as the camera panned to show us he threw into triple coverage. Blasted slow camera guy - I was almost on my knees. The ball was caught, by the Giants – Intercept! GIANTS WIN!!! GIANTS WIN!!!
I danced around that bar like it had just filled with the owls I was so hoping to see when we first entered. I hugged Rob, hi fived the guys next to us, jumped in the air pumping my fists and then started to cry in my hands. For the next 30 seconds all I could do was crouch there, face buried, trying to compose myself.
I stood up, wiped my eyes, sat back down in my seat and covered my face again. The NFC Championship game will be played here, at Lambeau Field, for just the third time in 47 years. The one year we had decided to come and live this life.
Kelly needed an explanation as to what the Cowboys loss meant. She was pleased. Suffice to say I was pleased too. What an experience. What a weekend.
Comments
Fri 18th Jan 08
at 04:35am
I am so happy for you!! As I was watching the final moments of the game (and peeing myself as well..) I thought of you and how fitting the Giants win was!! Have a BLAST at the NFC Championship game!
Fri 18th Jan 08
at 04:40am
Wayne - well done. You put us right there - with your feelings - at the Owl Preserve. Let’s win two more! Incidentally, how are you swinging a ticket for the NFC Championship game?
Fri 18th Jan 08
at 04:44am
Aight, here we go. 2 more steps, guys, two more steps.
Fri 18th Jan 08
at 05:52am
Wayne-
I have loved your blog all year. I actually thought about you when the Giants won last week, and that you’d get to see a championship game at Lambeau. I should give you fair warning though - I am petitioning the US State Department to not allow you to leave the State of Wisconsin, unless you’re going to a Packer game. “Condi” I said, “you’re a hard core football fan. Now look what’s happened since Wayne-O moved to Green Bay. I think he should be treated as a National asset.” She said she’d get back to me. I’ll let you know how that goes.
Fri 18th Jan 08
at 05:54am
Watched game until 100am uk time then off to work at 700am.
Championship game starts 1142pm uk time, can’t wait.
Hope Packers come to UK. An way game though.
Andy Topliff
Fri 18th Jan 08
at 06:19am
Ben is a godd picture taker. Luc is so cute on that picture, I wonder what he was thinking ? Your emotions are priceless. I was not a big football fan but I sure am becoming one. Go Pack !!
Fri 18th Jan 08
at 07:20am
Wayne, the playoff game at Lambeau field was a once in a lifetime experience and you said how cool is that? well that was pretty cool, but it’s going to get much cooler for the NFC championship ( pun intended) and I am glad u got to see a snow playoff game, now you get to see a NFC championship game at Lambeau, game time temperature’s are being projected as minus 10 degrees, do I detect another ICEBOWL?? HARK!! .. what’s that?? I hear chains rattling, yes yes, I hear em LOUD AND CLEAR now, could it be the ghost’s of ICEBOWL one? , I look up and see the big ol’ smiling face of Max McGee and the rest of the packers from ICEBOWL one.. smiling down on Lambeau field, ICEBOWL two.. here we come!!!!
Fri 18th Jan 08
at 08:14am
Hey Wayne,
I held my breath through the final 2 minutes of the Giants/Dallas game when the interception happened. I was jumping around the room and yelling out. Now I hear the NFC Championship Game might be the second coldest to the Ice Bowl. You are going to experience real cold now.. bone chilling cold! We know that you know the secret to stay warm now. Just make sure to keep your face covered. I suggest a ski mask or at the very least a neck scarf or both! Frost bite is painful. I was at Kohl’s today and most winter attire is 50 - 70% off. 
P.S. LOL@John’s post!
Fri 18th Jan 08
at 08:39am
Thought you might enjoy this!
John Madden was in Dallas to announce a football game one weekend
when he noticed a special telephone near the Cowboys’ bench. He asked
QB Tony Romo what it was used for and was told it was a hotline to God.
John asked if he could use it. Tony replied, ‘Sure, but it will cost you
$200.
John scratched his head, then thought, what the heck, I could use some
help picking games. He pulled out his wallet and paid $200. John’s picks
were perfect that week.
The next week, John was in Indianapolis when he noticed that same kind
of phone on the Colts bench. He asked what the telephone was for and
Manning told him, ‘It’s a hotline to God if you want to use it, it will cost
you $500.’
Recalling the previous week, John pulled out his wallet and
made the call. John’s picks were perfect again that week.
Last weekend, John was in Green Bay, when he noticed the same kind of
telephone by the Packers’ bench. He asked Brett Favre ‘Is that the
hotline to God?’ Brett said, ‘Yes , and if you want to use it, it will
cost you 50 cents.’
John looked incredulously at Brett and said, ‘Wait a second,
I just paid $200 in Dallas and $500 in Indianapolis to use the
same phone to God!
Why do the Packers only charge 50 cents?
Brett replied, ‘Because in Wisconsin , it’s a local call…
Welcome to God’s Country.’.................
G-O-O-O-O Packers!!!!!
Fri 18th Jan 08
at 11:56am
Hooters can be fun but if you want to have a serious good time with the game try the Tilted Kilt just off Oneida. Better food, cheaper and a great time for game watching.
Sat 19th Jan 08
at 12:52am
I just found out about your site. I’m glad to have you on our side. I hope you’re ready for a crazy Sunday. Also, be careful, if we do win there’s a strong chance you’ll never be allowed to return to Australia.
Sat 19th Jan 08
at 03:50am
Wayne - glad you got to attend a snow game. I was at the Browns Bills game last month when a blizzard came thru Cleveland. Couldn’t even make out who the players were. But didn’t care. It was awesome ! Better bundle up tight Sunday. Bitter cold for 4 hours can be a killer. And hope you stick around Green Bay for more than a year. We need to hang onto our Australian good luck charm !
Sat 19th Jan 08
at 06:47am
I’ve been following your story since October, and it seems you picked the perfect season to come to GB! First, I want to say you have an amazing family and are truly blessed. Second, I came across this ‘Packer Prayer’ and thought I’d pass it along so we can all pray for another Lombardi trophy.
Our Favre,
Who art in Lambeau,
Hallowed be thine arm.
The bowl will come,
It will be won.
In Phoenix as it is in Lambeau.
And give us this Sunday,
Our Championship win.
And give us many touchdown passes.
But do not let others pass against us.
Lead us not into frustration,
But deliver us to Arizona.
For thine is the MVP, the best of the NFC,
and the glory of the Cheeseheads,
now and forever.
Go get ‘em
GO PACK GO!!!
Peter
Sat 19th Jan 08
at 07:03am
Hey Wayne .... of course you went to that “neighbourhood restaurant” chain for the “great food, great service, a relaxed atmosphere”. Had to laugh at the photo because it reminded me of the scene from SoutPark when Butters ‘falls in love’ with a waitress at Raisens.
This NFL season keeps getting better and better. Nice that you don’t have to travel to Dallas and instead can enjoy Lambeau one more time. I read that tickets to the game are selling at an average of $715. Hope you had some luck in that regard.
GO Wayne and GO PACK GOOOOOOOOOO
Sat 19th Jan 08
at 10:02am
Wow --you are my hero for following a dream
I am stuck here working in Minnesota right across the street from the Vikings Winter Park practice facility and away from Wisconsin where I grew up.
As a Packer fan, I often tell people I moved from Wisconsin to Minnesota to get away from pro football.
Go Pack!
Sun 20th Jan 08
at 02:59am
Your story just keeps getting better and better by the day, the snow game, the meeting with Brett & Deanna, and now the NFC Championship game in Lambeau! I second John’s post from above, you need to stay here, or at least come back every year during the season!
Beat the Giants, Go Pack!
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at 06:33am
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