L.A. / SANTA MONICA / USC: DAYS TWO-THREE-FOUR
Clearly, I’ve led a deprived life as far as going to college football games is concerned. When you think about it, I’ve only been to one really big-time game ever — the 1997 Rose Bowl — with Ohio State beating Arizona State on a thrilling last-minute drive. But to be honest, I couldn’t have cared less who won that game, and I was also preoccupied with keeping Robby amused: He was three years old, and in a stroller. The rest of my live college football experience has been pretty tame: mostly Penn (Ivies) and Trinity (NESCAC). Neither school is likely to be graced with an ESPN Gameday visit in the next century or two.
So my first USC game on Saturday was an eye-opener. Wall-to-wall tailgates covering every piece of green space on campus. Not a single
person not wearing something USC. The famed marching band, and the boisterous procession of the crowd from Tommy Trojan to the Coliseum. A smile on every face. Sunny and 78 degrees (for a change). Ninety-thousand strong in cardinal and gold. And a 38-17 trouncing of Syracuse, to boot. I’m very pleased to note that USC is now 1-0 at games I’ve attended.
And I’m also proud to report that Ricky, who was left behind for the first time on this journey, got quite the report card from Grace, his dog-sitter for the day from Dog Sitters Extraordinaire L.A. Good walking, she said, good napping, and very, very good eating. Also, at my request, Grace picked up a dog barrier for the Acura from a PetSmart in Culver City. I had it installed today. Party’s over, Ricky. Driving back east is gonna be a whole new ballgame. Wish I had taken care of this detail in Westport, but as they say, half a trip is better than none.
So we’ve spent three days on the USC campus, and it’s now official: Everybody loves Ricky. In one of the most uncanny small-world scenarios ever, Ricky was being cuddled by Chloe, a
freshman from Manhattan who was desperately homesick for her own two dogs. When she saw our Acura, she did a double-take. “Were you guys in East Hampton this summer?” she asked Carol. (Did I tell you Carol flew in for a three-day weekend?) Turned out Chloe and her boyfriend had spotted our car during one of our Montauk weekends; she remembered it because of the USC decal on the windshield. And now here was the same car, 3,000 miles away, parked in front of her dorm on the Southern Cal campus! Freaky.
Maya, another freshman, needed hugs from Ricky because she was missing her beagle, Mac, so much. She described Mac as a 42-pound bundle of love who definitely could afford to lose a few.
This scene of total strangers wanting a piece of my handsome and charming doggy was re-enacted time and again — in the dorms, on campus, at the beach, and most of all, at Yankee
Doodles, the sports bar on Santa Monica’s Third Street Promenade, where I went to watch the Jets-Jaguars game. While I was at the bar in front of the big screen, Carol hung outside at the sidewalk cafe, reading the NY Times. Ricky sat tableside, being fussed over by all who entered. Erica, a big Ricky fan, chatted with Carol for half an hour. As it happened, her beagle was back home in Massachusetts, and Ricky was the next best thing. (Erica, if you get me that photo of you and your dog, I’ll post it right away.)
For the record, the Jets put a beat-down on Jacksonville, 32-3. Not a bad weekend of football for Beagle Man.
So cool. Hi Carol!
Hank, This has been very entertaining! If you need a place to hang your hat with Ricky in San Francisco, Kelsey is going to grad school at USF. She’s sharing a very spacious brownstone with two law students, plenty of room for a beagle! By the way my estimate for the return trip is 3,372 miles. -Mike
. . . got back from the left coast last night and am just now reading your wonderful posts over a cup of tea. What an amazing journey – thanks so much for sharing it! Enjoy your time in CA and have a safe journey home and we’ll see you and the Ricky in the ‘hood!
1. Wow, that Chloe story is pretty amazing.
2. Hi, Carol!!!
3. Ricky is quite the chick magnet.
4. Why did you get the barrier installed? Wasn’t the crate thing working out? Did I miss something? (I went up to Chatham, in the Hudson Valley, for the weekend, sans laptop, so I’m behind. Swam in Queechy Lake. I know; bad name. It doesn’t sound pretty but it really is, and was.)
5. Has Robby asked if Ricky can stay in LA yet?
Great post! You should try eating at Capo in Santa Monica while you are there. If you’re looking for a nicer joint (not cheeseburgers).
Great post, great pics, great jersey!