When we last met I was telling you a bit about my time spent in “Louavull”, and now it’s time to get started on New Orleans. I’ve already been here for seven weeks, so I’m still playing catch-up.
It was my birthday last week, did you know that? That’s alright, it snuck up on me too. A couple weeks ago I flew back home to the Bay for the weekend and my wife, in league with our wonderful friends, threw me a surprise party. I won’t get into it too much here as the event has already been well chronicled by my too kind and loving wife. Check out the pictures on her blog. It was much better than I deserve, but then again, who among us is really deserving of a cake in the shape of Darth Vader’s helmet? An awesome time was had by all.
Yeah, it turns out I’m 30 now… not sure how I feel about that. At this point I guess it’s too late to start wondering what I’m going to be when I grow up, I’m already there.
I am definitely my father’s son in the truest sense. Although I have two younger brothers (and three younger sisters) and we all take after both of our parents in different ways, this apple certainly did not fall far from the paternal tree. Don’t get me wrong, I do have some traits in common with my mother, and I’m still my own man. Let’s just say, it can be pretty easy to see the relation. Our tastes in music, movies, humor and hobbies, not to mention personality traits can be so similar sometimes it’s scary, just ask Mrs. B. As Luke Skywalker would say, “I am a Field Engineer, like my father before me.” Okay, maybe he didn’t say it exactly like that, but it was pretty close.
As a kid, I looked forward to summer time just like everybody else. Long days, no school and big plans. But I also loved summer because occasionally I could go with my dad to work. I’d get to wear a gigantic hard hat and reflective vest and follow him around whatever construction site he was currently working on. Not only did I get a front row seat to watch the big machines push around earth and rock (show me one little boy who doesn’t smile at even a backhoe at work, I dare you), but I got an early impression of the camaraderie that exists in the industry between the individuals working on the same task or project. And it’s probably similar in many occupational fields, but there was always something about construction that struck me to my very core.
I clearly remember one particularly awesome experience, when my father was working on a new dam up in the mountains. Like many projects built away from residential areas, this job was ongoing around the clock. My father and I arrived at… well I can’t remember the time but it was early, early enough to still be dark on a summer morning. As we sat in his truck waiting for the day shift to start, I was mesmerized by the site on top of the dam. Even in the dark of night, the construction lighting brightened the work area like it was noon. In the distance I could see the dump trucks, loaders and dozers drive along the dam crest and park, their weary operators dismounting to shake hands and crack jokes in passing with the relieving shift. I never did understand why that memory stuck out so, but there you have it.
And it’s not like I always wanted to work in construction, mind you. I was a lot like my peers at that age, dreaming of being a professional athlete, astronaut or cowboy. Only now as I look back with what wisdom I’ve gained, can I see that those early experiences and my enthusiasm at the time have clearly telegraphed the course my life would take as I entered the adult world and the work force.
I love my job! That’s not to say that it doesn’t come with it’s own share of challenges and frustrations, but the rewarded feelings of satisfaction and accomplishment for overcoming those make all the difference. I have the pleasure of working with some fine individuals, and together we form a tight-knit (though quite diverse) family. The many ways in which each project differs from the next, the new people we meet and locations we experience all combine for a very exciting, fulfilling way to make a living.
However, we are here today to discuss one of the less important benefits of my work (I know, I take a while to get there don’t I?). The SWAG!
There is often a supplier or contractor who wants to take you out to lunch to talk business, which is always fun when you are on the road because the local guys know where the good food is. Then there are the hats and shirts, the bulk of construction swag. I have at home a large box full of t-shirts with logos for suppliers of every kind of construction material or service, and a shelf in the closet piled high with hats of the same. And occasionally, the suppliers and other contractors you do business show their appreciation in the form of tickets to sporting events. I’ve been to several San Francisco Giants games and have seen the 49ers play twice (it was nice to finally see my beloved Eagles in person for once).
The swag is not the reason I do what I do, nor is it the reason why I try so hard to do it right. The fact remains, it would be rude to refuse such gestures of gratitude, and I am a considerate and appreciative cave-man. So when someone says, “We’d like to take you guys to see the Saints/Texans pre-season game in the company suite,” you grit your teeth and politely accept. Just to be clear, you know I’m being a tad sarcastic here right? On the outside I’m playing it cool like I go to NFL games all the time and I’m quite accustomed to the luxury of watching from a suite, on the inside I’m pulling a Captain Morgan pose and declaring, “To the Superdome!”
Without my awesome photographer wife on hand for the event, my limited skills will have to suffice.
The Superdome is much more impressive than my pictures can convey. I can only guess at the potential intimidation a visiting team could experience, having to face the reigning Super Bowl Champions in such a pigskin cathedral.
I’ve always felt that the pre-season was more or less ignored by the sports fan community, I expected an indifferent attitude in light of the fact that it “didn’t really matter”.
I came away from this experience with a whole new respect for Saints fans. Two hours before kickoff, the Superdome was already surrounded by a mass of excited fans and the adjacent, newly built Champions Square was filling in nicely. A likely combination of the excitement from last year’s triumph and the relief that football season is once again upon us had assured that everyone was present and encountered for. Some even making the trip from a galaxy far, far away!
If you’ve never had the opportunity to enjoy a sporting event from the comfort of a suite, I genuinely and sincerely hope that you get that chance soon. It’s something that everyone should get to experience at least once. I’ll walk you through it briefly, and bear in mind that your results may vary as I’m sure it’s different from stadium to stadium.
As we got off the elevator and walked down the hall to the suite, the first thing you notice is that there will be no getting up from the game to wade through a sea of fans in search of a bathroom, the suite has it’s own. Then there is a bar and food station surrounding a very comfortable sitting area, complete with multiple television screens. For those who drink, there was what appeared to be an endless supply of whatever your poison is. For me, sadly, there was no Mt. Dew. When I asked about that I was told in a very serious tone, “Oh, there’s no Pepsi products here.” I made do with Coke. Before the game even started I put away a very large chili-cheese dog and a plate of BBQ meatballs over steaming rice. Just before halftime I helped myself to a plate from the nacho bar. As much as I wanted to, I never did seem to find enough room for the pulled-pork sandwiches or the alfredo penne with shrimp. After the food area, you step down into the area with your seats and a fantastic view of the field. 
The ‘Dome soon filled up and the New Orleans Saints won a decided victory over the Houston Texans in front of a packed house of screaming, cheering die-hards. As my Project Manager (left) said, “It was a most successful mission!”
For my Superintendent (center) and I (right, with the awesome belt buckle!), this was the first time we’ve seen a game from such accommodations and we all had a great time we won’t soon forget.
Thanks again for stopping by the cave, let’s do it again real soon.
From New Orleans, welcome back Football Season! We’ve missed you!
Louisville is a beautiful place, the landscape reminded me of my favorite parts of Georgia. The trees are so thick everywhere that open highways feel more like green, leafy tunnels. The terrain was much more mountainous though. 
I REALLY miss my motorcycle. I 
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