Fancy fan

So a couple 0f weeks ago, we packed up all the red gear we could find and headed to Lincoln for our annual Husker football game. If we had our way, we'd get season tickets and go to every home game, but with three busy girls and a family of five, it just doesn't make sense. So, for now, we pick one home game a year and make it a tradition.

I believe I've mentioned it in the past, but I am die-hard Husker fan, as are most Nebraskans, but I'm also an overall football fan and have loved the sport since I was a little girl. And, when I get the privilege of going to a Husker football game, I'm not going just because it might be fun to get out; I'm going for the love of the game. And I'm there to WATCH the game. The crazy people I'm surrounded by are just an added bonus to the experience.

Anyway, after attending the recent game, it hit me that there are so many women that must think differently than me. I have no clue what their football IQ is or if they consider themselves true Husker fans, but based on the outfits they chose to wear to the game, I'm kinda guessing they were more worried about how they looked at the stadium, rather than who was playing. And let me specify, that I'm mostly referring to women close to my age. The young girls basically look cute and wonderful, no matter what, so they don't have to work at it. But when the 40-something mother of two walks up the bleacher steps in high heels, sparkly skinny jeans, and a blinged-out Husker sweater vest, I'm guessing she really put some thought into that outfit.

And why, I ask? My thoughts, when choosing my outfit, were more directed towards the weather forecast and how many layers of comfortable Husker gear I could wear, which all is T-shirt or sweatshirt material. Not one spot of bling or fur, and in no stinkin' way, heels! Did I miss the memo, are we established mothers supposed to dress up for these games? I couldn't really care less about impressing anyone. My only goal when I get to the football game is to make sure all those opposing fans know exactly who I'm rooting for when they see me in the stadium. If my kids would let me paint the letter N on my face, I'd do it.

And I noticed that these same women, who are dressed and ready for a magazine shoot, which includes an impeccable hair and makeup job, don't really "watch" the game. They're sitting there with all of us, clapping now and then, but are either doing one of two things. They're either texting on their rhinestone covered cell phones or tearing apart their pretzel tiny piece by tiny piece, as they watch the crowd around them. You're probably asking yourself, how, if I was such a diehard fan, could I have seen all this? And the answer is, we're packed in that stadium like sardines, and so smushed together that I could easily read the texts on their phones or steal a bite of their pretzel.

I just was sorta fascinated with them because as I'm standing up screaming at the play call or yelling at the quarterback to see the gaps and run through them, I look over and they're texting away or sipping their lemonade. Did she not agree that we should have run the ball instead of passed? How could she just sit there when that was an easy first down we just gave up?

It's all very strange to me and I'll probably never understand. But, to each his own, I guess. And I have to admit, I did like her fancy Husker bracelet. Maybe I should have fixed up a bit more? Maybe she looks at me and wonders why I didn't? Maybe next time I'll wear nice boots instead of tennis shoes. But I'm still wearing my comfortable Husker gear.

I can't stand up and yell in heels.