On Saturday, shopping was done, furniture was moved and tables and chairs were set up to accommodate our band of Pats fans. Kevin dropped off some of his Patriots platters and glasses to add to my collection to be on hand for our Patriotic party and the preparations started in earnest.

Sunday seemed to drag by and I filled my morning with website updates, cooking prep and general nervousness. By afternoon, I took to making chili and tuned in to both Zip’s and Jose’s (Razor’s Edge East!) Ustream feeds. It was great to chat with fellow tailgaters and friends while I worked.

Folks started rolling in laden with food and drink and Big Al headed outside to fire up the grill along with Kevin and Louie. We had a Portuguese style Tailgate and feasted on Carne Espito, Pork Loin, Roasted Potatoes, Little Necks with Peppers and Onions, Rice, Chili, Taco Salad, Swordfish, Buffalo Wings, appetizers and desserts galore. Of course Bruschi Brew was on hand but wine was the drink of choice.

Kristina was decked out in her Pats gear and met my two little girls. After feasting, we made haste and broke down the tables and set up to allow prime seating to view the TV. Prior to kickoff (Jello Shots @5:54pm) Al gave a very nice toast to our team and to our loved ones and we raised our glasses for the final time this season.

Halftime was time to regroup, eat more (like anyone needed it!) and celebrate Bernie’s Birthday. (February 3rd was great mojo for us as it was the anniversary of Superbowl 36 and we were counting on the same results in 2008.) The game went by quickly and our hopes were high. Each of us was pulling for our team and anticipated a post game celebration to ensue. Unfortunately, our boys came up short and shocked us along with the rest of Patriot Nation. With heavy hearts, the room became starkly silent and people just went about cleaning up and carrying dishes upstairs in stunned silence. All hopes to make history and to play the unthinkable undefeated season, dubbing us the greatest team in history, were dashed and buried in a flash.

Many of us will take time to heal, each in his own way. (Personally, here’s my initial feelings) but we’re looking to the future. By the time our merry band of Razor’s Edgers meet again, Superbowl 42 will be in the past and we’ll be ready to support our team on the quest to Superbowl 43.

Check out complete album here.

patriots mrsb patriotworld superbowl42 giants razorsedgetailgate superbowlparty

Unfortunately, the lots were mostly filled by the time we got there and our group got separated and locked into our spots with no chance of hooking up due to ropes splitting right and left sides of the lot. Ironically, the split occurred pretty much down the middle with 6 cars of people in each site.

One group included Zip with Web, Bino and Jose, Chris Woods, Mike, Robin & Geoff’s crew, Kathy (of Hottest Wings on Earth fame) and us. Later, Ed Bryant, Chris and Kelly, and Bill of Nashua Sports made their way over. The other group of Monty, Miguel, Robin, Laureen and Larry, Jim from NY and Darren set up in the other location but folks bounced between tailgates to visit and shared the jello shot toast either in person or via phone.

It was quite windy and cold but the sun was shining brightly so we walled in 3 sides and took advantage of the solar heat. Quarters were tight as we were backed right up to the people next to us. (We even lent out some walls and cinderblocks in an effort to prevent their tents from crashing into ours.)

When we arrived, we felt bad about the split but soon realized that we couldn’t do anything about it so we made the best of it, set up, and got the grills and stoves cranking. Kathy’s wings were smokin as usual and Robin and Geoff’s squash soup hit the spot to warm us thoroughly. Naturally, my chili pot was on the stove and Zip’s jambalaya was on hand. Bruschi Brauts, swordfish, stuffies, and a variety of items to sample went round.

Angie popped over before work as did Myspace Dave whom I haven’t seen much at all this season (thanks to lot construction this year). A photographer for the Globe spotted Jose’s Patriotic paint job and took his picture which ended up in the paper and online. Some super fun Chargers fans stopped in and shared some laughs and told us about all of the winter wear that they needed to purchase for a single use. They were totally impressed by the hospitality that they encountered in the tailgate lots and joked that they couldn’t even get anyone to “trash talk” with them. hehe!

Naturally, Ed Bryant came through with his signature song for the day:

Bye, Bye, Norv!

Felice Bryant, Bouldeaux Bryant, Ed Bryant

Copyright: Not So Much

Bye, bye Norv!

Bye, bye, Merri-man!

Hello, Dairy Man:

I think I smell some cheese!
Bye, bye, Phil,

Bye, An-tonio,

Nice job on the Pony, yo,

And against the Tennessees!
There goes La-mar Hunt,

With someone old.

They sure look happy:

Rodney looks bold.

He was our safety,

We cut him loose!

We guessed his groin tear,

Meant: no more juice!
Bye, bye, Norv,

You guys took the West!

Junior sends his best,

So bye, bye, Norv, bye bye!
Good bye, Nate Kaeding,

It’s not your night!

I’ve seen your tombstone:

It says: “Wide right!”

And 56, now, can do alone,

The playoff loss dance, for which he’s known!

Bye, bye, Norv,

Bye, bye, Quentin J!

We’ve one more game to play,

I’d guess we’d better roll!

Bye, bye, Norv,

So long, Vincent J!

One more game to play

In the Super Bowl!
So bye, bye, Norv, goodbye,

Bye, bye, old Norv, goodbye, say bye bye, Norv, bye bye!

Tailgate time went by quickly, Big Al and I headed up to our seats all bundled up and ready to cheer our boys to victory. When all was said and done (21-12) and the confetti flew and the podium was wheeled out, we watched Tedy run over to Zip at the banner and hand him a Championship T Shirt!

Post game, we stayed long enough for the Champagne toast then headed out as the crew packed up and headed over to Monty’s tent for some post-game talk and heat. An eleven hour day was my limit (and I was sporting quite a headache) so we headed home to watch the Green Bay/Giants game to see who would join us in Arizona. Go Pats!!

Check out the Complete Album and Slideshow here.

Check out this week’s podcast here.

18-0! Just one to go!

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Unlike the regular season, our lot opened early and took us completely off guard. Thankfully we were able to make our way to the Razor’s Edge compound and set up in a T formation to join the crew. It was a jamming tailgate and was quite the obstacle course to make your way around. Most of the folks were glued to the TV for the Cowboys/Green Bay game and were huddled en mass in one section but there were lots of tables laden with food and grills working overtime.

I barely sat down all day with ticket window trips, food passing and hoodie sales galore. I did make time for one of Kathy’s Hottest Wings on Earth and sampled a bit of everyone elses offerings as well. The afternoon seemed to fly by and when Ed Bryant showed up without a song, he whipped one up on the spot at Big Al’s request:

Hit The Road, Jax

….Hit the road, Jax, and don’t you come back no more no more no more no more, hit the road, Jax, and don’t you come back no more!

What you say?

….Hit the road, Jax, and don’t you come back no more no more no more no more, hit the road, Jax, and don’t you come back no more!

Now Brady, listen Brady, don’t you give the ball away,

We don’t want no pick six today,

Don’t care if I do, cuz it’s understood,

If we make a mistake, we just keep… choppin’ wood!

That’s right, hit the road, Jax, and don’t you come back no more no more no more no more, hit the road, Jax, and don’t you come back no more!

….Hit the road, Jax, and don’t you come back no more no more no more no more, hit the road, Jax, and don’t you come back no more!

What you say? Hit the road, Jax, and don’t you come back no more no more no more no more, hit the road, Jax, and don’t you come back no more!

Now Boney Maroney, put your shoulder down,

We want to play for the AFC Crown,

But first things first, we’ve a short term goal:

The Pats gotta win tonight, bless my soul!

That’s right, hit the road, Jax, and don’t you come back no more no more no more no more, hit the road, Jax, and don’t you come back no more!

What you say? hit the road, Jax, and don’t you come back no more no more no more no more, hit the road, Jax, and don’t you come back no more!

Many guests and regulars were on hand for pregame jello shot toasts and photo ops... Unfortunately, our camera was missing its memory card so all of my blinding, strobe-light, flashing pictures were for naught.

Erdoboy’s pictures are posted on his site so at least there’s a backup.

Mrs. B’s Tailgate Chili made an appearance after a month on the sidelines and joined the other dishes on the bar/buffet for the pre-game feasting. Naturally, Zip made jambalaya and there was a variety of other foods to sample as well, including grinders, calzones, chicken wings, pastry, and snacks.

The cigar crew made its way outside for pregame and postgame stogies while everyone else found spots in various rooms of the Patriotic Shrine to chat, watch the pregame shows, and feast.

Of course, just prior to kickoff, Erdo Ed made his weekly call and we had our traditional jello shot toast. There’s no messing with the mojo for this crew! Quite a few folks bought Full Tilt Full Time hoodies and our charity raffle raised $142 this week.

There was quite a crowd at Zip’s and if I had to guess, I’d say there had to definitely be 54 people there, including the 2 youngest Pats fans, Matthew and Quinn. We didn’t lose the faith even when the boys were down by 12 at the half and certainly cheered as each record was tied and fell and we came back to defeat the Giants. Quinn got his charlee bears and the humans took a shot or indulged in a human charlee bear truffle with each score. Jenifer did her duty as expert bell ringer as well.

The best record of all though was the 16-0 season, that’s for sure. Individual accolades are great but that’s not what this TEAM is about. So, congrats to Brady and Moss but most especially to your New England Patriots! Time for a week of rest, then on to the playoffs! Just 3 wins to go, baby!

Complete album here.

patriots nfl nepatriots pats tailgate patriotzip mrsb patriotworld razorsedgetailgate

Robin and Geoff, Zip’s crew, Monty’s crew and Erdo Ed, rounding out his week in NE , made up the contingent this week. Jose brought along his fiancee, Monty brought Dave, Kathy brought “the hottest wings on earth” (which I proudly survived and was thoroughly heated not only from the outside via Thermacare heat wrap attached to my lower back but from the inside out as well!) and naturally Robin and Geoff provided the grilled asparagus. Jeremy brought his brother and true to form, Ed Bryant, wearing multiple hats made a late tailgate appearance with Jeffrey and some friends. Jake welcomed the lamb chops and Monty’s cajun grilled shrimp which hit the spot! He also had the “pleasure” of filling my role of food passer this time around, but is anxious for me to be back on the job

Bob’s beef stew was delicious on a winter’s day, dolphin (ok… Mahi-Mahi) was to be found not only on grills but in Zip’s jambalaya as well. Big Al’s little necks were a hit and staples such as Bruschi brauts were sure to please as always.

Of course, there was no shortage of Bruschi Brew to savor and jello shots to consume to toast our team to victory as always. The final jello shot toast taken in front of the banner along with our group photo came complete with a MrsB return toast to which I was very appreciative to the Zipster and fellow Razor’s Edgers. Even a passing token Dolphan joined us for the photo op and shot ;-)!

Come game time, we headed up to our handicapped accessible seats for this game which were perfect because it allowed me to take the elevator up and stay seated for the whole game without having to get up and down for beer runners! We made it to the start of the 4th quarter at which time I knew I had reached my limit. The game was in hand at 28-7 anyway and we were able to beat the rain and the post-game traffic jam. Jake stayed and hitched a ride home with Ed and said that the post-game tailgate was celebratory and lots of fun. All in all, it worked out great for everyone and I did just what I could without over doing it. Next up…. Pats head to the Meadowlands to make history!

Check out complete photoset here!

Erdo Ed’s photos here as well.

While the snow and wind were whipping up, the Patriotic faithful were toasty warm within the confines of the tent city. Al took a few pictures during the tailgate but opted not to bring the camera in to the game which was a good idea since it changed over to a driving rain by kickoff.

Al’s pictures are here and you can check out Erdo Ed’s set here.

And of course, Ed Bryant’s weekly tribute song can be found right here!

Runnin’ Down The Dream

Tom Petty And Ed Bryant

Copyright, Not So Much

It was a beautiful day for a Jets beat down,

With the video on, we were drivin!
Eight weeks in…on cruise control,

Another runaway, we were flyin!

But they were runnin’ down my team,

For winning Super Bowls by 3,

Workin on history, goin’ where Belichick leads,

We’re runnin’ down the dream!

It felt so good, like 9 and 0 was possible,

But when they called PI, I had to rub my eyes!
Hobbs was there…the Pony just ran into him,

It’s like the zebras want… to screw our guys!

They were runnin’ down my team,

Makin’ me want to scream,

Workin on history, messin’ up Manning’s reads,

We’re runnin’ down the dream!

The season rolled on, and the sky grew dark,

Nearly every damn game…in prime time!

But the Vincent T. is just down the road,

When the last team stands, I hope it’s mine!

Yeah, we’re running down the dream,

Risin to the top like cream!

Workin on history, one at a time, and we’ll see,

We’re runnin down the dream!

patriots pats nepatriots tailgate razorsedgetailgate gillettestadium jets nyjets snow

Headed out early on Sunday afternoon after cooking all day and getting ready for the prime time tilt. We thoroughly expected major backups on Rt. 1 due to the opening of Patriot Place stores and the fact that it was the kickoff to the official Christmas Shopping season. We had no trouble getting to our rendezvous spot but once again took up way too much space in the lots awaiting the opening of Lot 3. (We are currently brainstorming an alternative to alleviate the problem for the future.)

We had a smaller core crew this week but set up in our new favorite rectangle configuration in our regular spot. Although it was chilly it wasn’t freezing so the only wall up was the Tedy Fathead backed by the Full Tilt Full Time Banner.

Thanks to a Bills loss, our boys secured AFC East championship status before even stepping on the field and Mike headed right over to the proshop and likely was one of the first to purchase a hat and tee as they were taking them out of the boxes!

Lots of Philly/Eagle based fare could be found from Philly Cheesesteaks to “Eagle Wings, Eagle Legs, and Eagle Breasts”. Of course my huge vat of chili was on the stove and word is, was extra spicy this week and really hit the spot

Zip’s crew of Jaji (with a rockin butane burner), Drew (with a funky face mask) and Bren’s mom, Sue taking in her first NFL game, was here from Nebraska and had a great time. Jen and her Eagles fan boyfriend and friends took in their first game of the season as well. Bob and Rich were in the house too. Chris and Kelly’s Kale Soup was welcome for the late night game as was all of the samplings of food that made its way around the tailgate.

Robin and Geoff parked elsewhere and stopped in, Darren did the take-out stuff with Mark and his crew. Jim from NY was down and commiserated with Monty about their Rev’s loss and Chris Woods was there with his family.

Ed Bryant didn’t disappoint and showed up with a song and much to the “entertainment” of all, (note crowd reaction!) treated us to a lovely duet with Sue.

Pass The Wind

Donovan and Bryant

Copyright, Not So Much

In the chilly hours and minutes, in the Super Bowl,

We dug a hole, eating clock although we were behind!

We were down by ten, and though Dexter Reid, fulfilled a need,

You beat us then, we’ll try and pass the wind!

When sundown fills the sky, and the ball’s kicked off,

Draw near the trough, all we can do is try to buck the trend,

I’ll be standing by, and if I take a knee, come puke with me!

A.J. Feeley will try to pass the wind!

Dee dee, dee dee dee, dee dee dee dee, dee dee dee, dee dee, dee dee!

When the reign has rung up rings in tiers,

I’ll still be here, chugging Schmitz’s beers,

Spewing Chunky soup chunks on my men!

Standing on the side, well, I think it best, so I might digest,

Though I might hurl, I’ll try to pass the wind!

All in all , it was a pretty mellow tailgate with many of the regulars taking a pass this week. The weather was typical for late November but was bearable. Big Al and I headed up to our seats early and I was thankful for my multiple layers and blanket to ward off the wind chill.

The game was farcloser than most expected but a win is a win and although Pats came out victorious, Zip lost a bet because he gave points for the first time in Razor’s Edge history. Kills me to see him in an Eagles jersey but at least the W/L column was not harmed in the making of this photo

Angie swung by to say hi before the game and we ran into Westy heading back to his new tailgate spot post-game. Nice to see old friends

Pre-game jello shots, Bruschi Brew, tons of food, great company, lots of hot beverages and post-game champagne made for a most enjoyable Thanksgiving weekend tilt. The fact that we continue on with our undefeated streak puts us one step closer to the ultimate goal. Go Pats!!

Complete photo album here.

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Big Al, Jake, his friend Jaron, and I led the way into the lots and secured an end spot sufficient for setting up the 7 tents in block format. Even with that, our crew extended well beyond the confines of the tents but luckily the weather was decent and no walls were necessary.

For the second week in a row, Barry and Denice from Orange County and list bud Steve, also from California took in a Pats game having traveled to Miami last week then up to NE before heading home. (Steve actually was in the middle of his 3 game tour: Miami, Gillette, & Indy).

As always, rations were aplenty, with chili on the stove, various meats and veges going round as well as swordfish, shrimp and steamers for the seafood loving folk. There was no shortage of snacks, dips, and side dishes either! Hot chocolate (spiked or not), Bruschi Brew, jello shots, and non-alcoholic libations toasted our boys as well as quenched the thirst.

Zip and Joel and a pair of Chrises set up across from us and regulars Robin & Bob, Chris & Kelly, Robin & Geoff, Don & Karen, Darren, Monty, Mike, and all respective guests set up gear galore. Listniks, Miguel, Phil, Steve, & Ed were in the house as was Dolphan Jeff who wore his Welker shirt in that other color ;-).

A mini Tom Brady faced off with Quinn for a healthy game of Tug-Of-War but despite digging in his heels, was still in for the ride of his life! Many of the crew took in the early game thanks to the generator and TV.

It was our great pleasure to chat with Christopher Price, Boston sports writer and author of The Blueprint, who stopped by the tailgate to chat it up and sign books for us. We’d love to have him back and he promised to do so before the end of the season.

After properly toasting our boys and taking the group photo, we headed into the stadium under sunny skies. It got chilly as the day wore on and the wind whipped up. At that point, hot chocolate and Dunkin Donuts coffee fit the bill.

The girls were donning Halloween costumes on the sidelines but the biggest Treat that day was a thorough thrashing of the Washington Redskins, 52-7, bringing our record to 8-0! We headed home completely content and anxious for the upcoming showdown against the Colts the following week.

Complete photo album here.

After a couple of delays we arrived in Ft. Lauderdale and were met by the Ambassador himself, Bama, who was quick to issue my first Bamagram of the weekend. We checked into the hotel, dropped the stuff off in the room, then hit the lounge to catch the Red Sox game in hopes (mine anyway!) that they would pull off a win and keep the series alive. Edwin was quick to greet us as were other staff members who recognized us from years past.

Friday morning found me on the walking trails at the crack of dawn enjoying a muggy couple of miles then a nice breakfast buffet. Later that morning, Kelsea and I headed out for manicures and pedicures while the boys went out for hand rolled cigars. (It’s questionable whether or not Steve would have preferred to join the ladies that morning as a.) he doesn’t smoke cigars and b.) he loves a good pedicure!) For the record, there was a man there with us, although he wasn’t coveting my pink Pats purse, unlike aforementioned Steve.

We finally hit good weather in Florida this time around and were able to spend most of the day poolside. I dove into my book (and the pool) and the despite afternoon showers, it was a relaxing way to spend what otherwise would have been a work day. In the evening, cousins Linda and Augie swung by for a visit, lots of laughs, and a couple of drinks. Later, we grabbed dinner in the restaurant, had a few cocktails, Ernie and Jose came by, and the guys smoked and shot the breeze while I started on my second book of the trek. (FYI, the more books I can read on a vacation, the better.)

At the crack of dawn, we hit the gym, ate breakfast and headed out to do some shopping and then went to the beach for a bit. It was a gorgeous day, so we once again sat poolside when we returned to the hotel. Robin arrived in the afternoon having taken a bump and receiving a $400 voucher which she already has earmarked for a Superbowl flight this winter! Barry and Denice from So. Cal came by as well and hung out with us waiting for the team to arrive.

As the afternoon wore on, the hotel began to get more crowded with family and the guests of the wedding taking place in the ballroom. Many of them flew down from New England for the wedding and were thrilled to find out that the team was staying there as well. Once the team arrived and the guys were either holed up in their rooms or meeting with family downstairs, many of the fans took to the lounge area to watch the Sox game. I’m sure that the bride wasn’t too thrilled to be upstaged by the Patriots on “her” day but the bridesmaids were more than happy to take their turns taking pictures with Donte Stallworth towards the end of the night.

Al said hello to Lonie on the way in and Jake took an elevator ride with Tom Brady but I pretty much stayed put in the lobby with fellow trekkers. As always, Bama had quite a few encounters, and despite Al’s poor performance at player identification, shared a few words with many of them. As always, Laurence Maroney’s mom stopped to chat, having recognized us from past treks. Al gave Pepper a Bruschi Backer hat and spoke quite a bit to some of Jarvis’s friends who were former Rhode Islanders.

We stayed downstairs until after the Sox won and the party goers started to dissipate. Of course, trying to avoid the ones that had too much to drink was the incentive to head upstairs and call it a night.

Game day dawned rainy and muggy and some of the players got caught in a downpour heading to the early bus but the sun came out in time for us to head to the game. Jarvis stopped to talk to the boys and Kelsea got lots of great pics. Once there, it was very hot, and I drank a lot of water. I think, probably a bit too much as I was lightheaded and dizzy until drinking some Gatorade. Our schema for away games is to usually just go to the game and come right home after without tailgating which is different from home but it’s the way we like it on the road. We did, however chat a bit to a nice couple who were parked near us who were down from NE.

During halftime, we met up with Dave and Heather who were also down for the game. The stadium was packed with Pats fans and with the score 42-7 at the half, many had already “moved on” and were chanting “Let’s Go Red Sox” since they were in the do or die Game 7 that night but I would have preferred that they left out that chant until after the game.

Traffic leaving the game was relatively easy since most Dolphans had left well before the end. We got back to the hotel, Robin, Kelsea, and I ordered Chinese, I uploaded some pics and went online until the Sox Game came on then headed up to the room to get comfy and watch the game from bed. Apparently, some players got permission to not take the team plane home as Adalius Thomas came into the hotel and we later saw pictures of Brady in Miami by the pool with Gisele.

We left Monday and made our way through construction as they were beginning to remodel our floor at the hotel and had demolished a slew of rooms while we were at the game. We got to the airport in plenty of time, but had to sit on the runway burning off extra fuel before takeoff so we got off to an hour late start. Luckily, they held the connecting flight for us since we arrived 5 minutes before scheduled departure in Charlotte. In the rush, I left my Pats jacket on the plane but at least we made it on time.

All in all, it was a most excellent mini-trek (as they all are) and we brought home another win. The core group will have to do without us for the remainder of the year as this is our only scheduled away game this season (except for AZ, of course!) We brought home a win, spent time with great company, enjoyed some real Florida weather for a change, and on the Karen scale… it was a 3 book trip so you KNOW it was a good one as far as I’m concerned!

Check out full photo album here!

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Enjoy!