The Final Four Chronicles: The Interregnum

 

Sunday, April 2

No games today, and we are in for the traditional play day.  We will have some more guest appearances, have some food and drink, and we hope a lot of laughs.  Let's see what happened....

7:30 - Pepster arises.

8:18 - Kevin comes downstairs.

8:41 - Tony come downstairs.

8:44 - Starbucks is on the way thanks to Kevin.

8:49 - Sinickal comes donwstairs.

9:03 - Sinickal calls Allison to wish her Happy Anniversary, gets her voicemail.

9:15 - Watch XXX as we mentally prepare for this brunch.

9:25 - Talking about a scene in which drug lords are fighting, Kevin says, "I know you want to kill us because of our profitability stream!"

9:27 - Anticipating having to say, "Sorry we are late for brunch.  We were watching XXX and riffing on it pretty good.  [Ed. Note - we didn't have to say that.]

9:47 - "Ever get punched in the face for talking too much?"  Despite what you might think, this was not said to us, but said by Xander Cage!

10:03 - After sending a pretty funny dad joke on the siblings group text, Pepster's sister Brittany asks, "Will this make it into your blog itinerary?"  Pepster responds, "Maybe."  The final answer - No it won't, but the fact you asked will!!!

10:14 - Kevin is talking to his wife.  Sinickal yells out, "Susie - you can tell me Happy Anniversary!"  She responds, "Happy Anniversary Allison!"

10:43 - The Southwestern Central coaching staff is ready for brunch!

10:46 - Waiting on Lyft for brunch at Bosscat.  Honda Civic pulls up.  Sinickal immediately orders another rideshare.

11:00 - Arrive at Bosscat Kitchen!  Pam and Whitney are waiting for us.  This place LOVES its bourbon selection.  Check out this private dining room:

11:15 - Kevin's gourment cocktail, The Wake Up Call, arrives.  It is made with Tito's vodka, black coffee liquer and irish cream.  Whitney asks, "Is that like a Black Russian?"  Kevin, "Yes, but lighter."  Pepster chimes in, "In the Caucausus they just call it a 'Russian'!"

11:20 - About Whitney's t-shirt, "I think they used the wrong action verb!"

11:22 - Sinickal's ten-minute tangential Galleria Mall story.

11:27 - First mention of Galleria Mall in the story.

11:28 - First carafe ordered.

11:33 - Andrea - Pepster's friend from college arrives!!!!

12:21 - Guy leaves the private room pictured above, which was right in front of our table, to go to the restroom.  He was wearing a t-shirt with a picture of Fred Sanford on it and the words, "You Big Dummy."  Pepster tells him, "Solid shirt!"  Sinickal then says to him, "I was going to say that!"

12:40 - Andrea learns the story of Southwestern Central!

13:02 - Andrea is hired as the Southwestern Central team psychologist!  After Sinickal explains what is expected of the position, Andrea remarks, "At least I will have future job security!"

13:07 - Something about the manager and a romper makes Tony a wee bit uncomfortable!

13:12 - Leaving Bosscat!  Great brunch.  Planning our next stop, Pam and Whitney state that they are "curtzying out!"  Andrea has to go as well.  Always great to see friends when travelling.

13:26 - Say our goodbyes, and Andrea asks where we are going because she could take us.  She has her "Mom Car!"

13:28 - Starts the car, and The Fly channel on SiriusXM immediately pops up!  We compliment her and she says, "I have to teach my son about good music!"

13:31 - 13:39 - Andrea tells us that all of her son's friends are afraid of her.  Sinickal says, "All boys are afraid of moms - except in porn!"  The conversation that ensues spreads to everything that a son should learn before going to college .  When we arrive at Little Woodrow's we all fall out of the "Mom Car" still laughing.

13:40 - So, we go back to Little Woodrow's in midtown (there seem to be about 40 Little Woodrow's around Houston), primarily because Sinickal thinks he left his card there Friday night.  We could have called to see if they had his card, but Sinickal says, "Gotta drink somewhere."

13:45 - Bartender finds Sinickal's card, after thumbing through about 40!  The crazy thing is at Little Woodrow's they run your card to hold open the tab, and return it!!!

13:54 - Discussion turns to the movie Bachelor Party when Pepster asks, "How was this NOT Tom Cruise's first Academy Award nomination?"  Without missing a beat Sinickal responds, "Because it was not Tom Cruise!"

13:55-14:15 - Watching the pre-game for the women's championship.  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Redacted to protect the innocent.)

14:05 - Elle Duncan from ESPN putting on a pre-game SHOW!

14:13 - So, Little Woodrow's does not serve food.  They have a food truck parked out front - which is where Sinickal ordered his cheesesteak from Friday evening - and a guy that walks around with a tray full of wrapped tamales for sale from Pepe's Tamales.  Yes, my reach is that strong.  His shirt says, "If you want be happy - Pepe's Tamales".  This is not a typo.

14:21 - Kevin returns, hears the last sentence of a conversation with the remaining three of us just doubled over laughing, and says, "I've been gone 4 minutes!"

14:27 - We ordered our first couple of rounds of drinks from the bar before migrating to a table.  Our new waitress walks by.  Silas brings her into our soccer discussion.  He queries, "Do  you like English Premier League soccer?"  Her response, "That is a lot of words for 9 in the morning!"

14:32 - Kevin is talking about a strip club outside of Waco at which he and his wife had a - let's say interesting - experience one time.  Club was named "Buddy's BYOB."  Tony exclaims, "That's a farm!" [Ed. Note - Tony was correct.]  Kevin texts his wife to confirm the name of the place.  She responds immediately with, "It's is Sunny's BYOB!"  No questions asked.  Kevin notes that SHE wants the story to be accurate.

14:45 - Kim Mulkey - LSU's coach - shows up on court looking like Joe Exotic.

14:52 - Waitress tells us her name is Christina.  Sinickal asks her if it is the traditional Ukranian spelling or Russian.  She doesn't know how to respond.

14:53 - Tip-off!!!  This bar has become PACKED!

15:00 - Mike, Kevin's friend that lives in Houston, arrives.

15:07 - Someone remarks that Kim Mulkey will use a loss to Iowa as an excuse to recruit 12 5'7" white girls.

15:47 - We are pretty sure we found Jimmy Hoffa.  Tried to get a picture but couldn't.

16:08 - Woman wearing a denim jacket with a UCONN 1999 championship patch on the back.  Tony says, "That patch is old enough to drink."

16:10 - Prediction that if LSU blows this lead Kim Mulkey might say at the presser that black women don't have the mental fortitude to hold a lead.

16:11 - We notice that a whole lot of white people rooting for white women!

16:13 - Ke$ha comes on over the sound system and it made me remember a story from last night's dinner at Mai's.  Sinickal was telling a story that started, "I wake up in the morning" and Pepster immediately says, "Feelin' like P Diddy."  Pam decides that she is going to sing that song for the rest of the evening.  After the third time she starts - and every subsequent time - Pepster apologizes to the group.

16:16 - Shannon, Kevin's sister-in-law arrives.

16:48 - "If Kim Mulkey starts to cry, does her face melt?"

16:52 - While looking at Mulkey, Kevin says "That Tiger King/Tales from the Crypt" crossover is going to be awesome.

17:07 - We see Kemba Walker with Lady Gaga (or at least a reasonable facsimile!)

17:26 - Sinickal and Pepe get Tony in the door with some LSU fans!

17:30 - We explain Southwestern Central to these two women.  They love it and immediately inquire how long we keep up the charade.  We tell her that we always ultimately tell people because, "If you got got, it's no good if you don't know you got got!"

17:41 - Women say they are going to start their own school for next year!

17:45 - Same women decide they are going to start telling people that they graduated from Southwestern Central!  Stick 'em Scorpions!

17:49 - Sinickal:  "I have so much beer and water in me that I am peeing as a hobby!"

17:54 - Mike leaves.

18:12 - Sinickal goes to pay his tab and there are 3 cucumber peaches on the tab!  He has them removed.

18:26 - The ladies that loved our Southwestern Central story say to us as we leave, "We hope you win next year!"

18:27 - As Pepster and Sinickal are in the bathroom on the way to exit Little Woodrow's, a guy in the stall just yells out, "This feels good!"  We leave!

18:28 - Literally.  We leave Little Woodrow's.

18:33 - Enter Guy-Kaku for Japanese barbecue!

18:40 - When looking over the buffet-stye menu, Shannon remarks, "Where are we, in Kissimmee, Florida?"

18:54 - Waitress refers to Tony as "Sir."  Pepster tells her she doens't have to be so formal.  She asks what she should call us.  Tony says, "Asshole."  Pepster says, "Well, I am called that about three times a day - just at home!"  [Ed. Note - he isn't!]  She immediately asks, "Are we roommates?"

19:02 - Sinickal gets into a discussion chastising Kevin about his phone choice because Sinickal only believes in iPhones.  Turns into a big discussion regarding Samsungs and iPhones.  Kevin says, "I really want to argue with you, but I don't care!"

19:05 - Discussion about Kevin's wife for a bit when Shannon exclaims, "You are talking about her like she's not my sister!"

Lots of time just cooking and eating.  For those that are unfamiliar with Japanese barbecue, you pick from a number of items (in our case 37) some pre-cooked, like spring rolls and gyoza, some sides, mushrooms, edamame, white rice, and lots of versions of seasoned meats.  They just keep bringing little plates of different items to cook anywhere from 1 to 5 minutes each.

20:21 - Shannon starts talking about Neils Bahr, which we actually love and which she is surprised that we know, and pulls out tickets from a concert on Saturday featuring The Dan Band.  This immediately starts a conversation about the two main movies in which they appear, Old School and The Hangover.  We find out for the first time that Tony has never seen either.  Pepster calls him a Communist.

20:24 - Sinickal says, "We don't have to cook it just 'cause we have it."  Tony responds, "Yes we do.  These animals died for our sins!"

20:56 - Conversation about Shannon's suitcase.  She reminds us we are not talking about her baggage.

21:09 - Enter Coaches' Pub.

21:11 - Pepster tells the bartender that he can't drink anymore.  So he has a Lone Star.  He turns to Bulleit later.

21:12 - Shannon orders a Jameson.  They are out.  She orders a Bushmills.  They are out.  "How 'bout a Tully?"  "Out of that too."  "Just give me a whiskey!"

21:13 - Sign in the bathroom says, "Least drunk doesn't mean sober!"

22:01 - Six older guys just start singing Love Potion #9.  The song is not playing on the jukebox.

22:11 - Clown wearing a Texas Rangers polo going up and down the bar complaining about "Classless Angel Reese!"  Sinickal and Pepster immediately shut him down.  He slinks back to the other side of the bar as we gloss him "Walker".

So, to set the scene, there are 3, and only 3, sets of people in this bar.  We are one set, the older guys singing random songs is a second.  The third, which includes Walker, and about 6 other people that all either work at the pub, or are dating those that work there.  This becomes important later.

22:13 - Sinickal swears he is going to leave this tourney and turn to bulimia.

22:39 - Guy at the end of the bar just said, "Tumor, it's not a tumor" loud enough for everyone to hear.  Pepster tells the group, "He actually said that 21 years ago and it just echoed in the bar right now!"

22:47 - Somebody mentions the word Catholicism in a conversation between Kevin and Shannon.  Pepster, Sinickal, and Tony all immediately turn.  Shannon, noticing us, says, "It's a metaphor!"  Tony asks, "what's a metaphor?"  Shannon:  "Wouldn't you like to know?"

22:47:30 - Pepster says that there are a whole lot of Facebook shareholders that would like to know what is a Meta for!

23:18 - We decide we have to leave because Tony has an early work call in the morning.  We decide to just order 1 more while paying the tab.  Tony orders a Guinness!

23:38 - So, the jukebox has played a couple of different Disney songs, and one of the ones from Hamilton all in a row.  Pepster and Sinickal attempt to take control through their TouchTunes apps, but it is an AMI machine.  Too much effort to download the app and sign up the account to our cards, so we just try to bear it.  Next song is I Just Can't Wait to be King.  Kevin has to go to the bathroom, or so we thought.  He walks up to the AMI machine, and UNPLUGS IT!!!!

23:38:12 - Girl who played the song, follows Kevin back to us just livid that he unplugged her song.  She was from the group of employees.  Only person from that group that follows her up, is Walker.  [Ed. Note - Upon later conversation with a really huge dude that worked there, he told us he was concerned at first, but then saw how calm we all were that he realized he didn't have to intervene.

23:39 - She tells Kevin that she was going to pay our tab and we could go.  We tell her thank you for the offer, but we could pay our own tab and preferred to stay.  We figure out she is an actual manager of the place - but off duty and drinking this night.

23:41 - Kevin apologizes.

23:43 - She offers to buy Sinickal and Tony a shot.  They say, "Fireball.  What are you having?"  She says, "Vodka.  I can't drink Fireball - I have to drive home!"

23:46 - Hakuna Matata comes on the plugged-back-in and rebooted AMI machine.  Tony immediately says, "Who has a monkey?"  We don't actually know what Kim Mulkey would answer.

23:49 - Sinickal just asks them to please put on something good, like Earth, Wind & Fire.  Walker says, "Earth, Wind & Fire is fine.  I like them."  Pepster stands up, tells him not to ever call EW&F "fine" ever again, as they are the greatest band of all time!  Walker slinks back to his bar stool.

00:20 - Backstreet Boys come on.  We start a discussion of the best boy bands of all time.  Pepster initially says "New Edition."  Then, changes his mind as it is probably really the Beatles.  Sinickal first agrees, but then says, "Or Kriss Kross!"

00:31 - On the way home.

So, the most important part of the whole Coaches' Pub jukebox incident is that nobody, and we mean nobody, came to support the manager try to get us to leave.  And, her group consisted of employees and employee-adjacent people.  So that means, without actually doing anything except unplugging a jukebox, we immediately exerted control over a bar that none of us have ever set foot inside before.  But seriously, this was so funny.  Even some of the regulars understood exactly what happened for what it was, and were outwardly happy that the manager was stopped from playing constant Disney songs.

00:38 - Kevin tells us that after he unplugged the jukebox, Shannon asked him, "What the fuck did you do?"

00:41 - Tony goes upstairs to go to sleep.  Pepster says, "Peace up A-Town!"  Sinickal says, he is from Queens, it should be "Q-Town."  Kevin asks Sinickal, "Why do you think that was something you needed to correct?"

00:42 - Pepster ask if Sinickal felt Tony has lost a bit of himself since he moved from Brooklyn to Queens.

00:43 - Some brief tv to unwind, and then back to bed.

The Final Four Chronicles: The Semi-Finals

 Saturday, April 1

April Fool's Day, and more importantly - IT'S BASKETBALL DAY!  The Semi-Finals are tonight with San Diego State opening against Florida Atlantic, and Connecticut against Miami.  This is what we all came here for - to watch the games, but we also like to have a bit of fun, food, and drink.  There might be some strong language, but as journalists, sometimes we have to use the exact quotation where a reasonable facsimile doesn't tell the same story.  Here was our day ...

7:35 - Pepster rises.

8:59 - Tony awakens.

9:12 - Silas arises.

9:24 - Silas talks about how he loves living in a real city where he can go to a Cuban place and get tacos at 3:00 a.m.  Pepster says, "I call that my house."

9:31 - Discussing Caitlyn Clark and how she is so good and just toys with opponents.  Silas goes, can I add that "She's white?"  Pepster says, "Not if you are Isaih Thomas!"

9:45 - We hear rumblings of a dick.  [Ed. Note - "Dick" is Kevin's last name.]

10:00 - Kevin comes downstairs and he is already showered and dressed for the day!

10:04 - Kevin and Sinickal discussing some posts in their golf club's group chat when one of them says that a guy they know is "So trying to be Ryan White."  Pepster asks if he is trying to get a blood transfusion that kills him?  Everyone stunned that we all actually get this reference.

10:06 - Sinickal on his computer because he might "have to send something home tomorrow."  It's his anniversary.

11:00 - Sinickal talking about his LA-DCA-HOU flights from yesterday and complaining about flying Southwest says, "And on Southwest you have to sit next to some fat, sweaty person."  Pepster responds, "I'm right here!"  Sinickal replies, "I was talking about me!"

11:23 - We find out our house is basically next to a college campus.  Which college?  St. Thomas.  Pepster says, "I doubt that's a real college."  That is probably the last religious reference of they day.  [Ed. Note - it is not.]

11:41 - Uber to Goode Company Barbecue.  

11:50 - Inside Goode Company and their is a sign for "restrooms" posted on the inside of a side door looking out.

11:52 - Lady sporting an FAU shirt in line in front of Sinickal.  Talking FAU hoops with Sinickal she tells him that her friends with her live in Houston.  Sinickal then asks, "Are FAU graduates allowed to live anywhere but Boca?"

12:05 - Kevin dazes out a bit.  Tony tells him to "Always keep one ear to the conversation because you never know when it will go off the rails.  Great advice!

12:07 - Out of context sentence, but Kevin adds to the conversation with, "I don't get to speak a lot at home!"

12:20 - Sinickal again complaining about not being in a real city with real transportation, and Kevin responds with a statement about the DC Metro yellow line being down forever.  Sinickal says that he could just take the blue line.  Kevin answers with, "And just swirl around Rosslyn for an extra 30 minutes?"  Pepster adds, "Isn't swirl around Rosaline what Romeo did before he met Juliet?"

12:30 - We buy mid-level tickets for $65.  Usual price for upper-level seats is $200 to $220.  Tony says, for $200 they might let us coach.

12:45 - Leave Goode Company and cross the pretty busy 5-lane road to Christian's Tailgates.  Kevin gets a little gun shy and does not run when we do. (To be fair, an Impala turned onto the road and was gunning it.)

12:46 - Enter Tailgate's sans Kevin.

12:47 - We see Kevin, still on the other side of the street, light up a cigarette.

12:48 - Strong Miami contingent in Tailgate's!

12:49 - Kevin enters Tailgate's.  Good thing we didn't order him a beer (Lone Star) as he orders a Shiner Bock.

12:50 - Discussing Kevin's initial failed attempt to cross the street, Sinickal emphatically declares, "One Die, All Die!"

12:50 - Pepster askes the bartender "Villareal" - more on that later - if the owner's name is Christian.  She answers, "No, it's Alan."  Pepster then asks if only Christians are allowed in the bar or if they let in heathens.  Her response, "a couple!"

13:02 - Free jello shots!  Villareal says they may or may not be roofied.  Kevin says, "just trying to plan for the rest of the day!"

13:10 - Watching the Astros - White Sox game on television.  Sinickal is upset that they have "Chicago" written on their uniforms.  He says there is only one team in Chicago.

13:58 - Sinickal regaling us with some Hank Aaron stories.

14:20 - Kevin, who relayed the stories to the biggest Atlanta Braves fan he knows.  His friend replies simply, "What the fuck!"

14:22 - Villareal is wearing an Astros jersey with the number 07 and "Villareal" on the back.  Pepster asks if her last name is Villareal or does she just really like 2008 baseball.  She responds that its her last name.  [Ed. Note - Oscar Villareal is a pitcher that played in MLB from 2003-2008, including for the Astros in 2008.]

14:38 - Pam and Whitney arrive at Tailgate's!!!  Hugs all around.  For those that are not frequent readers of the Chronicles, Pam is one of Sinickal's college roommates from Syracuse, and Whitney is her wife.  They live in Houston.

14:39 - Pam's shirt reads, "I Sweat Champagne".

14:51 - Two women walk into Tailgate's.  One is in a dress with a baseball cap that reads, "Girls Are Drugs!"  We all concur.

15:27 - Simmons and Laura arrive, just as we are thinking about Ubering to the Stadium!  Simmons is Pepster's friend from South Florida.

15:28 - While greeting Simmons, an older lady at the bar taps Pepster on the shoulder to ask him to slide over a bit one-way-or-the-other as he is blocking her view of the Mississippi-Auburn softball game.

15:42 - Simmons asks Sinickal how long we are staying.  Sinickal responds "How fast can you drink a beer?"  Simmons replies, "45 seconds."  Then, Sinickal orders one last beer for himself.  Simmons goes, "How fast can you drink a beer?"  Sinickal says, "43 seconds."  Simmons - unbeknownst to Sinickal, starts the stopwatch feature on his phone and lays the phone on the bar.  While drinking and talking to us, Sinickal sees the stopwatch, picks up the beer and finishes it.  Simmons stops the stopwatch and says, "39 seconds!" Tony adds, "If they start unzipping, I'm outta here." Laura quickly quips, "I already know who is going to lose!" Uproar ensues.

15:43 - Uber to NRG Stadium.

16:01 - Simmons tries to trip up Pepster with some Houston trivia that he learned.  The question is, "what sporting event annually brings the most income to Houston?"  Knowing that this has to be something a bit unusual, and thinking of Houston, Pepster responds, "the Rodeo,"  Simmons is despondent.

16:15 - Arrive at NRG.

16:24 - There are way more Miami football jerseys than Miami basketball jerseys.

16:58 - After milling around the festival outside the stadium, we enter NRG.  Really easy ingress.

17:01 - While on the escalator, Sinickal starts his first, "Let's Go O-Range!" chant.

17:08 - FAU/San Diego State tip-off.  Radio silence during the game.

17:09 - OK, I lied.  This stadium is NOT EVEN REMOTELY CLOSE TO FULL!

17:38 - Sinickal looking around the stadium trying to see where all the teams fans are sitting says, "I hate it that both teams are red."  Pepster responds, "You know who else hated that the Aztecs were red?  Europeans!"

17:45 - During a time out "Tootsie Roll" blares from the loudspeakers, and they show pictures of fans in the stadium.  Not one of them does the Tootsie Roll.

18:00 - During halftime they announce the Hall of Fame inuctees for the Class of 2023.  Right now they are announcing the 1976 silver medal-winning US Women's Olympic basketball team.  Pepster says, "They would have been inducted much earlier if they had won the gold medal!"  [Ed. Note - when researching teams elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame, the 1976 Soviet Union team - the gold medalists - are not listed.]

18:05 - They mis-spelled Dwyane Wade's name - IN THREE SEPARATE PLACES!!!  Pepster - a Miami Heat fan - is absolutely livid!!!  He has not been this angry at a Final Four since the Lexi Thompson situation in 2017.  If you want a refresher, here is where you can find out about THE LEXI THOMPSON SITUATION at the 18:16 mark.

18:08 - Watching the San Diego State dance team, Kevin remarks, "I don't think this was the safety school for any of them."

18:19 - Lady saunters down the aisle next to us and sits down with two guys two rows in front of us.  One of the guys looks and acts like his is uncomfortably out-of-place.  Kevin asks, "Why did that woman bring her coke dealer with her?"

18:46 - As FAU takes an 8-point lead, Pepster wonders if this is now the time to tell the San Diego State fans that the Aztecs played a primitive form of basketball in which the losing team was sacrificed to the gods?"

19:28 - SDSU - WOW!!!  Lamont Butler with a buzzer-beating to defeat FAU 72-71.

19:53 - They bring the students into the student section behind the baskets after clearing out FAU and SDSU.  UConn students rushing to their seats; Miami fans trickling in.  Pepster says, "UConn students rushing to support their basketball team, Miami students are still doing coke in the hallway!"

19:54 - UConn fan behind us, "I like that I went to UConn.  I didn't develop a coke problem until AFTER I graduated!"

20:15 - Miami-UConn tip-off!

20:42 - Sinickal asking UConn fans questions about some of the differences between the two schools playing, and the UConn fan says, "No comment."  Pepster and Sinickal rephrase their original questions, and UConn fan exclaims, "No comment on the no comment."

20:43:  Sinickal summarizes, "Your no comment on the comment is the no comment that I wanted on the comment."

20:44 - Discussing who Calcaterra of UConn reminds us of:  Pepster says Calcaterra is trying to be Donte DiVincenzo.  Sinickal says, "Grayson Allen!"  Pepster receives a message from his friend Jeremy that says, "Calcaterra is the Kirkland Brand Grayson Allen," and his timing was impeccable.

20:56 - Once UConn's Donovan Clingan is finished with basketball, he could always play Frankenstein's monster in a remake.

21:47 - Pepster sees a message from his friend Raj regarding the mis-spelling of Wade's first name.  Raj said, "Some employee is going to blame it on autocorrect.  Then some manager is going to replace the employee with ChatGPT!"

21:51 - Leaving NRG.  Yes, there are 11 minutes left in the game!  Egress was EASY!!!  Of course it is when the stadium is not full.

21:59 - In the parking lot walking to light rail and a guy is preaching to the crowd through the microphone, saying that we "Have to lose ourselves in him.  Lose ourselves to the Lord.  Lose ourselves to him."  Pepster says back, "You better lose yourself in the music, the moment. You own it, you better never let it go.  You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow.  This opportunity comes once in a lifetime!"  Crowd gets into it.

22:01 - Another preacher through a megaphone talking about his body this, his body that, your body this, my body that and Sinickal sings, "My body is a temple," while Pepster starts in with "Your body is a wonderland!"

22:14 - Leaving early has its privileges, as we don't have to wait for the light rail.  It is waiting for us and there is no line.

22:18 - Packed train and we ARE the entertainment.  Sinickal by the door on one side, Pepster on the other, with Kevin, Tony, Pam, and Whitney in between.  Well, Pam found a seat a bit away from us, but still.  Talking Houston sports since we are leaving NRG Stadium and Pepster comments that he "forgot Earl Campbell played for the Titans!"

22:20 - FAU guy asking at which stop he should exit the train.  Someone asks him where he was trying to get to.  Pepster answered, "He was trying to get to the Finals!"  FAU guy laughs.

22:23 - Sinickal and FAU dude have a conversation that none of us can hear that ends with, "Is somebody going to have to cut a bitch in the next 9 stops?"  Tony responds with, "Do you think you are the only one on this train packing?"  Pepster says, "Is Wayne Brady on this train?"  Neither Sinickal nor FAU dude were being serious.

22:28 - Sinickal gets into it with some UConn people talking about Syracuse being an actual basketball power.  Pepster reminds him that Syracuse is a former basketball power.  Sinickal's response of "Fuck you" has the entire train laughing!

22:31 - Exit train secure in our knowledge that everyone on that train would have said they wanted a quiet ride home if asked, not realizing they actually needing us as entertainment.

22:36 - At Mai's Restaurant - a 24-hour Vietnamese place.

22:39 - First bourbons of the evening.

22:43 - Mai's is REALLY GOOD!!!!

23:45 - Walk across the street to Wooster's for one last nightcap.  Old people are getting tired.  Pam says she is going home.

23:47 - Enter Wooster's for a nightcap. Pam is still with us.  [Ed. Note - Wooster's is a cool looking place with some damn good craft cocktails.  Pepster ordered a beer.

00:23 - Home!

The Arrival

THE ARRIVAL

Day 1

Friday, April 1, 2016

Yes it is April Fools’ Day, but we are no fools for travelling today, it is the beginning of another Final Four journey.  This year’s event is in Houston Texas, as with me (Pepster) are Sinickal, Tony and Corey (eventually).  No Hopps, Racecar or Allison this year.  They will be missed, except for Hopps.  This is not a slight on him; we just think somehow he will show up in some form or another during the trip.  Houston is also the home to Sinickal’s old college roommate Pam, so Pam and her cohorts will be making periodic appearances.

Here we go.  (All times are listed in the time zone in which the event took place).

19:56 (March 31) – Sinickal wheels up to Houston (from Salt Lake City).

0:05 – Sinickal lands in Houston.  Rental car counter closed at midnight.  We will have to pick up our rental car tomorrow.  For now, cab.

0:27 – Sinickal gets into a fight with the cab driver, for the exact same reason he almost exclusively uses Uber.  Sinickal had to tell him to exit from the interstate, and then the driver chastised Sinickal for not providing him with the proper directions.  Sinickal responds, “I live in D.C., and you live here, and you drive a cab!”  No more taxis for us this weekend.

9:35 – Tony wheels up to Houston (from New York).  Tony notes that the plane was full of Syracuse gear, which makes sense.

10:43 – Pepster sees some commotion through security at the Fort Lauderdale airport.  Not enough to think it was a problem, but enough to catch his attention.  Dude just picked up a wrestling championship belt from the conveyor belt.

11:45 – Pepster wheels up to Houston (from Fort Lauderdale).  Pepster notes that his plane is also full of Syracuse gear, which does not make as much sense.

13:09 – Tony lands in Houston.

13:53 – Pepster lands in Houston.

14:51:  Pick up keys to the townhouse rented through VRBO in EADO neighborhood of Houston.  Gentrification is in full effect.  Homeowners left us 2 six-packs of different local beers as a welcome gift.

14:54 – Open up the 8^th Wonder Some Faux’n Throwback Cream Ale. NICE.

14:57 – Throw a toast up to Hopps.  Decide that, due to his propensity to just say anything at any time, whether appropriate or not, Hopps will now only be referred to as “D’Angelo Russell”.

15:12 – Head out to Main Street area, an easy walk from the townhouse.  Pass a coffee shop which will be utilized in the mornings (without walking).  First bar we come across – Lucky’s – is the Syracuse host bar for the weekend, but, they are closed for a private party.  I assume we will be back this weekend, if Sinickal has anything to say about it.  Long time readers of WeMakeItRain know that Sinickal is an overly proud Syracuse alumnus.

15:17 – We enter Little Woodrow’s Eado.  Festivities officially commence with an 11 Below 7 Iron Blonde (for Pepster), a Brooklyn Lager (for Tony), and a Bud Light (for Sinickal).

15:39 – Pepster orders a second round for the group.  Bartender, who clearly was not mentally prepared for NCAA weekend commencing and the Astros final preseason game ending at the same time, asks Pepster to remind her what he was drinking.  He responds, “7 Mary 3”.  Bartender stares blankly and says, “I don’t think that is right.  Wasn’t that a band or something?”

15:51 – Pam and Whitney make their first appearance at Little Woodrow’s.  These longtime Houston residents are absolutely amazed at how the Eado portion of Downtown Houston has developed.  Apparently all of this is new within the last couple of years.  Gentrification, ladies and gentlemen.

17:02 – Pam and Whitney jointly telling a story about Easter.  Pam’s parents told her to expect a surprise present to be delivered a 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.  They are lying around after a late night on Friday when they hear a knock on their door.  Pam turned to Whitney and said, “Maybe it’s lobsters”.  At this point it doesn’t even matter what the delivery is, but we ask.  Turns out, it was Pam’s father.

17:12 – Pam and Sinickal are comparing schedules to see if they can meet up later in the year when Pam is travelling east.  Sinickal says he is unavailable that particular weekend to which Pam replies, “You know your specific schedule that late in the year?”  Sinickal answers with “I have committed dates well into 2018 right now”.  Pepster chimes in, “I don’t even know what bar we are committed to going to next.

17:28 – Try to enter March Madness Musical Festival in Discovery Park where games, concerts, a Ferris wheel and supposedly fun is supposed to be happening.  We can’t get in because Whitney’s purse is “bigger than her hand”.  Security guard does not think it is funny when we give the purse to Tony, because it is not bigger than his hand.  We do not go in, but mentally note the concert lineup for Sunday.

17:32 – Enter the Phoenician, a combination market, deli, bar, restaurant specializing in local beers and Mediterranean cuisine (or apparently Phoenician cuisine, if the Phoenicians still existed).

17:34 – Sinickal and Pepster immediately notice that the Phoenician has a pizza named the “Ham Solo”.

17:47 – Pepster orders a “Sister Odell” beer (it is actually just called Odell).  The waitress was too young to have seen The Kings of Comedy, or she just didn’t like the joke.

17:49 – Pam notices that the Phoenician has a pizza named the “Ham Solo” on the menu.

18:03 – Sinickal points out to Pepster that the DJ is playing Nu Shooz’s I Can’t Wait.  Yes, I said DJ, in a Mediterranean deli.

18:11 - Sinickal ordered the Fish-n-Chips.  When it arrives, the chips are large items in the shape of a rectangular prism.  Since they are clearly not french fries, Pepster asks Pam if they are zucchini fries.  She says they are made out of chic peas.  Pepster says they would "probably taste better if they were made out of garbanzo beans".  Sinickal adds, "They would taste better if they were made out of sausage!"

18:22 – Tony, Pam and Whitney are speaking about their travels to Europe in depth, and I mean IN DEPTH.  Tony opens up a map of Munich, Germany to explain to Pam and Whitney where exactly one establishment is located.

18:24 – Sinickal and Pepster just barely stop laughing.

18:36 – Somebody we should know just walked by the window (well, we probably do know him, but only saw him for a quick second).  Whitney asks, “Was that Olajuwon?”  Silas immediately responds, “That can’t be Olajuwon.  That guy wasn’t 6’11”, he was only 6’9”.

18:54 – Uber back to the townhouse simply to put on some length to deal with the weather.  Coordinate a round trip back to the bars with the driver.  We love Uber.

19:01 – At the Flying Saucer.  Finally, a bar that I don’t actually believe in.

19:46 – A group of Villanova guys want to buy Sinickal, decked out in his Syracuse gear, a beer. Sinickal states that he will accept the beer since he is “rooting for an all Big East final tomorrow, so that I can hate you Monday”.

20:08 – We are contemplating moving along, so Sinickal asks the bartender if we can walk with our beers.  As we thought, the answer was “No”.  Sinickal’s response, “So in your state you can open carry guns, but you can’t open carry beer”.

20:59 – Sinickal to Pepster, “Do you ever pee?”

21:18 – Pam and Whitney are explaining the tattoo of a girl they know, a tattoo they have not seen, but have apparently heard all about it.  The tattoo is of Angelina Jolie’s eyes, and is apparently located in the lower pubic area, south of the waist.  Whitney remarks that once it’s been seen, it cannot be unseen.  This girl is apparently fond of showing it off.  Sinickal to Pam and Whitney, “When you do see it, I want you to draw what you saw”.

22:08 – After we move to the establishment next door and post up at the bar, the barback shouts, “Welcome to Hearsay”.  Pepster shouts, “Objection!”

22:19 – An entire conversation about Blue Raiders Nation with Whitney – a Middle Tennessee State alumna – during which the phrase “Nathan Bedford Forrest” occurred way too many times.

22:20 – My notes say “My Little Pony”.  None of us have any idea why that is, or what that was supposed to mean.

22:56 – Sinickal, who was standing next to Whitney, states to Whitney, “Stand next to your woman”.  Whitney responds, “I am”.

23:00 – We say goodbye to Pam and Whitney, hugs all around.  Suddenly, two girls, who turn out to be PR girls for a club that has yet to open, decide they want “free hugs” too.  Random homeless guy sees what is going on, and he tells the PR girls that he wants a “free hug”.

23:02 – PR girls tell us that if we go to their club – named “Reserve” – then they will give us a free drink.  Sinickal, Pepster and Tony proceed to Reserve.  Only 4 other people in the place that is supposed to open, “in a couple of weeks”.  Homeless man tries to order.  Yes, he followed us in, then, he disappeared.  Our “free” drinks cost Tony $26.

23:18 – Leave Reserve for one more nightcap.  Hear good music and noise coming from a place down the street.  Proceed in that direction.  It turns out, we were on the wrong side of the street.  We do not cross the street, go inside to Molly’s Pub instead.

23:48 – Way too heated of a conversation with three people about football and soccer.  Two of the guys peel off from the conversation to just drink with Sinickal and Tony.  Pepster remains arguing with a Mexican girl about the actual word “soccer”.  Why do we say a Mexican girl, because she said that she was Mexican no less than 18 times during the conversation.  Statements like, “I am Mexican, I know futbol”, “Futbol is big in Mexico, and I am Mexican”, and “Don’t insult futbol, I am Mexican”.  The argument was centered on the fact that the word “soccer” is actually a term started in England, not America.  She apparently did not believe it.  This is a good sign that our night is over.