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Starting and Ending Duck Season (A week or so late…)
Sep 13, 2011 CATEGORIES: Gridiron Belles Tour, LSU, SEC, SEC Football, SEC Stadium Tour, Swoozies
When I initially put the LSU v Oregon game on my schedule I thought I maybe made the wrong decision by not kicking off my tour in an SEC town. However, Arlington, TX—“Jerry World” no less—proved to be the perfect backdrop for and early start to duck hunting season as the LSU Tigers defeated the Oregon Ducks 40-27.
The LSU faithful didn’t mind if they were missing a quarterback or a few other starters. The purple and gold diehards didn’t mind that they were in Big 12 country. The fans of the fighting tigers were jubilant about debuting their purple and gold for the season opener and the victory on the field was second only to the victory at the tailgates.
A few examples:
Ben, the delightful and ever so spirited LSU fan!
Ben, from New Orleans, was exactly what you expect an LSU fan from New Orleans to be. Up early, heavily influenced by bourbon, wearing gold and proclaiming a season of victory by his team, all while being a perfect gentleman and hosting the Swoozies and Gridiron Belles. The Gridiron Tour team had never been more entertained. I think he even sold a few books for us!
The lovely hosts of a wonderful tailgate (Julee on left, Jim on far right)
Jim, a LSU extraordinaire from Pensacola, FL and Julee a LSU fan from Dallas, hosted a tailgate of 500 plus people in the middle of a field. Surrounded by fencing. Protected by security. Yes, law enforcement was needed to protect the perfectly cooked jambalaya and copious amounts of free flowing purple and gold Budweiser.
I was forced to wear Jim's LSU hat and had to promise to come see a "real LSU tailgate" in Baton Rouge!
I was assured time and time again that this particular displaced tailgate was calm and that if I wanted to really be wowed, I needed to find Jim and his 500 friends again near the Mounds in Baton Rouge. If this was tame, I suppose the SWAT team will be in Baton Rouge.
Jason? Is that you?
Then there was Jason. The blind date from Atlanta. Our mutual friends told us about one another and it was clearly romantic destiny if we were both in Texas for the LSU game. E-mails and numbers were exchanged ahead of time. Facebook pages were stalked. We were going to meet up to express our love for college football. A marriage engagement was clearly pending. And then it happened. Cell phone service went iffy at best. Texts went unanswered. Time was slipping away.
Finally, an update from Jason. “ We are now in Lot 5 right near the stadium. Next to some boisterous LSU fans. I’m wearing purple.” Ahhh, his usage of the adjective “boisterous” tells me he’s smart, but his overall message tells me the common sense wagon passed him by… Being near the stadium, next to drunk and loud LSU fans while wearing purple was the same situation for 93,164 people that day! How was I supposed to find prince charming with those directions? And before the National Anthem!? Again, I am promised a better time and “first date” in Baton Rouge for the Auburn game. I hope he makes it easier next time and tells me he’s “ wearing an LSU hat and taunting Auburn fans.”
A full day of tailgating with (and without) some of the most enthusiastic fans in the land challenged my endurance. However, one sound of the band, one cheer of the crowd and the first National Anthem of the season, kickoff had never felt so rich as I got comfortable in my seat and ready to watch the Fighting Tigers of the SEC start and end duck season.
Geaux Tigers!
Xs and Os,
Christie Leigh
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My thank you note to you….
Aug 10, 2011 CATEGORIES: Gridiron Belles Tour, SEC, SEC Football, SEC Stadium Tour, Uncategorized
Dear fellow SEC fans,
I’m falling short of finding the appropriate words that adequately express my perpetual gratitude for your support.
This book has been a dream come true for me. A lifetime of aspirations have come together in this 200 page hardback.But what has made me even more proud than this book, is the village it took to complete it. How very telling of the South.
Each team inspired me and contributed in its own unique way. Despite team allegiances, each fan base had their input. Each town across Dixie was warm and genuine in encouraging me to finish this product, not only for me, but for the gents and above all–the belles of Dixie.
If the cover was larger, I would put the names of all of the people that have contributed to the books completion. You’ve certainly earned a spot on the front as much as I have.
After all, wasn’t most of this book based the SEC community as a whole? It was and it is. As I flip through the pages, I see faces and stories that represent nostalgic and novice fans alike. Sure, Saturdays are a little more enjoyable with a win for our respective team, but football down South has always been about who is cheering and tailgating next to you.
So thank you to each and everyone one of you for contributing to my lifelong dream coming true. No gesture went unnoticed. All efforts big and small were appreciated. To all of you who responded to my urgent pleads for pictures, thank you. To all of you who gave me ideas, story lines and inspiration without knowing it, you’re my saving graces. To all of you who promised to buy a book just because you are my friend, thank you.
It is without further ado, I present to you, Gridiron Belles: A Guide to Saturdays in Dixie, officially available for your enjoyment.
With my deepest appreciation,
Christie Leigh
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“Help! He thinks I like football!”
Aug 2, 2011 CATEGORIES: Florida, Gridiron Belles Tour, Kentucky Football, SEC Football, Uncategorized
The Greatest Wing Belle. Ever.
Going on a date with someone under false pretenses is perhaps one of the most frightening of all circumstances in the dating world.
Spending an entire date nodding your head, mindlessly agreeing or feigning interest about a topic that you simply loathe, is worse.
I’ll spare you the etiquette rules of dating conversation. Suffice it to say, if the conversation is so one-sided that the prominent feeling you are experiencing is nausea from head nodding, not butterflies in your stomach, there are bigger issues to be addressed. But I digress…
“Help! He thinks I like football!” Was the subject line of an e-mail I received from my darling sister. Before I even opened up the body of the message, I had a huge grin on my face. My sister was panicking and realizing that she should have listened to me for the past decade as I tried to teach her how to “talk football” with eligible suitors.
Of course, this is my wing-belle we are talking about, so while I am laughing at the situation, I am not taking it lightly and immediately delve into her recount of why her upcoming blind date was already doomed. The trepidation in her every sentence was only going to be mitigated by a long distance call.
Without a “hello” I was bombarded with bits and pieces of a hilarious story. To me, anyway. “Last week, I was doing YOU a favor, and telling my friend about YOUR book!” (I didn’t even have time to say thanks before…) “The next thing you know, she’s telling me about some handsome guy she wants me to go out with.” (So far, this is all very good. Book promotions and a date for Sis.)
“Do you know what happened??!!” (She asked as if I had planned to sabotage her potential date.) “ My friend called me to tell me he was excited to meet me because she thought that I was the one who wrote YOUR book and (insert a long unintentional dramatic pause—the heart of the matter was about to surface) that I was the one who liked football!”
There was no more excitement in her voice. Her last words trailed off as if she was reading her own sentence to be guillotined.
Oh dear, I thought. This really has taken a turn for the worse… But, again, I inserted an inappropriate laugh. Because well, this was quite comical!
Before I could rectify the situation, I needed to know three things:
1) Who is his team? Kentucky Wildcats
2) Have you picked an SEC team yet? No, but I’ve been thinking about that…
3) How much time do we have? The date is tomorrow.
Individuals like my sister cannot be made up. They are sweeter than south Georgia sweet tea so it’s a crime not to help them. Especially in the name of love. And SEC football.
Solution: I made her a cheat sheet that included questions to ask him about UK football that had nothing to do with the actual game of football…which so viscerally annoys my sister:
“Who does he usually go to the games with?” “What’s his gameday ritual?” “How many years has he been going to UK games?” “Does he have season tickets?” “Does he like going to Keeneland before a night game?” “What’s his favorite memory from a game?”
You see, the answers to these questions provide insight to the type of person this guy is, his friendships, his morning routines, his level of commitment, etc., without talking Xs and Os or allowing him to show off how many hours of SportsCenter he watches. This, is a Belles dream come true.
Men are simple creatures—as long as they THINK they are talking about football and not showing you insight into their heads and emotions, they’ll keep talking. And apparently this guy had lots of non-football-football things to say!
So yes, I have a sister who has no interest in the game of football. But she’s the greatest wing-belle there ever was so I don’t mind a bit.
Xs and Os,
Christie Leigh
Post Script: To come full circle with the story, my sister has narrowed down her teams to Alabama, Ole Miss and Kentucky. Right now, Ole Miss is in the lead only because “it’s the fanciest.” It’s our goal to have her committed to one team before kickoff of this year’s season.
The date apparently went well and she carried her own with the football conversation. She immediately enlightened him- “Just so you know, I don’t like football. I don’t know anything about it, and I don’t want to know anything about it…” Because she wanted to know about him, however, she did use the questions above to gain some insight. Turns out, he fell hook line and sinker for the non-football-football questions and she learned more than she imagined and actually ended up enjoying the company of this gridiron-loving Kentucky fan.
It didn’t turn out to be a match made in heaven, but it sure did teach me a lesson. (Yes, she taught me a lesson in football.) Football conversations don’t have to all be about Xs and Os, wins and losses and comparing national titles and Heisman winners. SEC football is about the people off of the field—maybe or maybe not—interested in the team on the field.
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My SEC Birthday
Jul 28, 2011 CATEGORIES: Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Gridiron Belles Tour, LSU, SEC Football, Tennessee, Uncategorized
SEC Birthday Treasures-- Best Birthday Package Ever!
I love birthdays. Always have. And probably always will–until I start celebrating birthdays that receive their own category at Party City mocking old age.
It was around the 7th grade that I recall saving my (July) birthday check until late in September. With the arch-rival match up between the two all boys Catholic schools (St. X and Trinity) just around the corner, I found the strength and common sense to save birthday money in exchange for having the perfect outfit for the Friday night match up.
( I also conveniently always scheduled a haircut for that afternoon as well, but that’s for another story…)
Fast forward some 16 years, and my birthdays are still revolving around the gridiron. Only this time, my gifts have started to be accouterments of the SEC rainbow.
My mama, a generous KY Belle, sent me a package on Monday with the following treasures inside. It was the Mary Poppins bag of SEC goodness and has me almost ready for the tour!
Orange and white Lilly dress: My new Tennessee dress!! Perfect for keeping me cool and stylish during the UT v UGA game in Knoxville.
Spirit Gloves: Look closely, those gloves have pompoms on the finger trips!! Heaven forbid I ever forget my lucky shaker, these spirit gloves will keep me warm on the Plains during the Iron Bowl!
Luggage Spotter: This was my dad’s addition to the package, and it’s hilariously practical. An easy way to spot my bag and start conversation while traveling across Dixie. Thanks, Dad!
Sports Mints: A rather obvious name, but I received a bag of Alabama and Auburn mints. They make them for every SEC team and these are ideal for your tailgate bin that I talk about in the book. Who doesn’t want fresh breath after snacking at a tailgate?
Lilly Pulitzer Calendar: Lilly has agreed to sponsor a book signing for me next week here in Austin!!! It’s only fitting that all of my stops are kept organized in this preppy calendar.
Auburn Tupperware: Where else are they going to put team logos? Doesn’t matter to me, these are ideal for bringing your gourmet gridiron grub to a tailgate. Get your team’s edition and showcase your spirit and hard work in the kitchen!
Blue and Orange bracelets: These Florida orange and blue bangles are going to look great when I am at the Swamp. Anything and everything blue and orange is the norm down there– I’m giddy about that trip.
Team Colored Unmentionables (not pictured for obvious reasons): What can I say? A true Gridiron Belle doesn’t stop supporting her team at a surface level!! Mama also threw in some pretty LSU colored unmentionables for my visit to Death Valley.
You don’t need a July or August birthday to prepare for the season. All of the summer clothes on sale now are perfect for the first few games of the season in the southern heat. Get prepared!
Thanks for the birthday wishes!
Xs and Os,
Christie Leigh
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IOU. Love, the SEC and NCAA
Apr 26, 2011 CATEGORIES: Gridiron Belles Tour, SEC
Easter weekend focuses on new beginnings and fresh starts; new hope springing up in unlikely places. I’ll repent now to the public, all this talk of fresh starts during Sunday’s sermon had me thinking about the upcoming football season and the clean slate each team has heading into summer break and the impending two-a-days.
What can I say, I’m a fan.As a little girl, I loved the Easter Bunny. I loved getting a new brightly colored dress. I loved hunting for hidden treasures. I even recall my grandfather stuffing eggs with “IOUs” to help us understand the real world!
Years later, my love for Easter has evolved.
Easter bunny in full costume in the mall? My mind races to full costumed mascots walking around tailgates. Could it be true that Southern children approach a fully dressed Scratch the Cat at a UK game or a Cocky the gamecock at a South Carolina game with the same excitement? I likely did… you probably did too.
New pretty Easter dress? No more pastels and ruffles, my new spring dresses are bold colors of purple, red, navy, and gold. My excitment is for outfits to wear in the heat of Saturdays in Dixie and how I’m going to stay cool while donning team colors.
Hunting for treasures? I found my treasure last week on ESPN when they broadcasted the LSU Purple v Gold game. I actually watched it. All of it. Another treasure? A pair of houndstooth shoes I found on sale for my trip to Tuscaloosa!
IOUs…? Yep, the memory of finding, “ IOU as much as I LOVE U, Pop” is sweet. But as a as a child trying to save up for icecream, the disappointment is equivalent to waking up in your team’s town on Sunday morning only to recall last night’s loss. Often I feel like the NCAA and the SEC should provide free therapy, or at least an IOU for therapy, to fans.
So, in the spirit of new starts and clean records, happy Easter. Only 132 more days until we can wear our new dresses, use our tailgate treasures, and get our pictures taken with our beloved mascots. Oh, and don’t forget to look up my fall tour schedule, IOU a memorable tailgate outside of your favorite stadium!
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You’re Welcome and Gooooood Luck!
Feb 25, 2011 CATEGORIES: Gridiron Belles Tour
As my fall Gridiron Belles Tour begins to take shape, I’ve already realized that this Belle may just be tardy to the party. The big parties.
Nearly every hotel within 100 miles of Auburn, AL is full for the AU v BAMA game on November 26. That’s nine months away. I could produce an heir to my estate (if I had one) in that time.
I just got off the phone with Hugh and the Oxford Inn in Oxford., MS. I asked about their availability for November 19. He said, “Ma’am, that’s the LSU weekend, we are done sold out and have been for a while now. You may just be too late.”
Not to be discouraged, I called the Hampton Inn down the street. Cesar answered the phone and the same song and dance occurred. This time, I said in my sweetest Southern accent, “Cesar, do y’all happen to have just one room available for the LSU game on November 19?” (I think I actually batted my eyes while I said it). He said in his best Southern accent, “ Sweet heart, try all you want, we don’t put our rooms up for football season until June 2. Call THIS line. Directly. Call it at 10am on the nose. Don’t dally or delay. Thanks for calling, and goooooood luck!”
Sounds like I’m going to need all the luck I can find on June 2nd. Because it may be snowing today, but football season is just around the corner. Hotty Toddy!
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