Death Valley Daze, two weeks ago.

Just two weeks ago things around here were much nicely different. Two of the most challenging, self-actualizing, physically trying weeks you could imagine have passed since that fine Saturday in the South. Baton Rouge was at its finest hour, as the season-opening home football game for the 2008 version of the LSU Tigers was the order of the day, and the tailgating was in full swing. It was different that day though, as the threatening Hurricane Gustav was still churning away out in the Gulf of Mexico, charting a b-line for the Baton Rouge area. What we know so well now, this storm was so immense that the city was under official hurricane warning with massive community preparations going on simultaneously with the Saturday tailgating. It was all going on much much earlier in the day, however, this particular weekend. Rather than postpone the game while much of the state was under mandatory evacuation, Governor Jindal and LSU authorities agreed with league officials and ESPN network reps to move gametime of the contest against Division 2A opponent Appalachain State to an unprecedented 10:00 am kickoff. A morning kickoff earlier than any other in school history, changing the bill of fare for fans from bargbeque, beer & bourbon to bloody Maries, bacon & eggs.

Two weeks ago we were whining & moaning about having to get up so early for tailgating, and bitching about how such an early game really disrupted our normal LSU weekend style. HAA! A week later I was begging the Entergy Gods for air-conditioning and hot water. Funny how fast things can change after a badass hurricane invades your personal space.

The morning yielded beautiful weather for the first game of the 2008 season, and the Tigers were in fine condition, as prepared for their opponent as Baton Rouge was prepared for Gustav.
Defending National Champs were back in action and life was all good in the neighborhood. Pregame atmosphere was electric. Many had partied all night, tailgating all Friday night right on up to gametime. The band marched into the stadium as usual, and sounded fantastic, setting the tone for game one. The championship flags were hoisted one by one, snapping in the soon-to-be tropical storm-force winds swelling the pride of the sleepy-eyed Tiger fans filing into the stadium seats. For the time being, there were no worries in the Tiger Nation. Two weeks ago everything was hunky-dorey.