Victor Teigen took the day off from work. He asked about lunch. I told him, “Bob and I going to Arbys.” I told him if he’d like to come along I’d pick him up, “I have to come downtown to deliver an order to CNV. I’ll be at your house in fifteen minutes.” Myron, Sara, Kira, and Vivian were still in town, and staying with Victor and Arlene. I spent a little time talking to Victor and looking at his computer.
Char decided to invite Dorothy and Bob Nelson over for Thanksgiving. I think this is the first time we’ve had company outside the family for Thanksgiving. Sean, Tim and Clare enjoy seeing Bob but soon split up. Tim played video games on my computer. Sean loaded songs onto his iPod, and Clare was underfoot in the kitchen. Paul carved the turkey and Dorothy brought some Norwegian treats. After the turkey dinner: Paul, Sean, Clare, Bob, and myself watched the football game. Sean brought out the football, and roughhousing ensued.
Craig and Bob: Best Friends
I met Bob Nelson at Taco Bell on 19th for lunch. There was a chill in the air. I pulled out my blue Letterman’s Jacket. When I got to Taco Bell a number of North High students got in line. They were all wearing Letterman’s Jackets. This was amusing because it looked like I was with them. When Bob arrived I told him, “Sir, this line is for North High Students and Alumni only.”
The look on his face as he protested, “I’m a North High Alumni, and you’re not,” was priceless.
“Clearly you’re wrong. Just look at your jacket and my jacket.”
When I got to the front of the line the cashier asked if this was the North High Band, implying that I was Band Teacher. With Bob behind me I continued my fiction, “No, the jacket is a coincidence, but I am an alumni of North High and will accept the North High discount.”
“Don’t listen to him, he is not a North High Alumni.” Bob piped in.
“Sir, obviously you know not of what you speak,” as I wave my hand over my jacket.
The cashier hands me the change- she’s not the least bit interested by this point, but I’m enjoy the effect on Bob.
We were sitting in sight of the Fargo Air Museum (across the street), talking about the space shuttle and ultra-long telephoto lenses. The gentleman next to us spoke up and asked about photographing the shuttle in orbit. This led to a long conversation with ‘Al’ about his days in the Gulf of Japan as a US Navy gunner/maintenance sailor, circa 1972. Al was very interesting. I noticed he was reading a book on the history of Japan pre 1300. Unfortunately, Al wanted to talk my ear off, and he was a low talker. Al was a quiet as Bob with his speaking voice. I shook his hand and told him I had to get back to work, leaving Al with his fellow low talker, Bob.
My friend Bob called about lunch. They closed our favorite restaurant: Taco Bell downtown. I suggested the Taco Bell on 19th Avenue North. It is right on the edge of the campus so close for Bob but on the other end of town for me. To make up for the drive I decided to visit the Fargo Air Museum afterwards. (Across the street) After ordering two lovely young ladies came in and said, “Hi Bob.” When Bob came around the corner with his tray, I spoke up, “Hi Bob.” Some of the other patrons looked up, questioning who is this popular Bob? The ladies in question were coaches for the Women’s NDSU Basketball Team.
Thanks to coach Mike Singletary, the San Francisco 49ers are playing pretty well this year. I don’t have to be embarrassed to be a fan. I’m also a Viking fan, so I was looking forwards to today’s game. First play, Frank Gore sprained his ankle and was out for the game. The Vikings played hard and it looked like they would have no trouble winning. Sean called to see if I was watching and to rub it in. The Dobbins were out of the house, as the realtor was having a showing. Sean was stuck listening to the game on the radio. Mike started yelling at the players and the 49ers started playing better. When they took the lead I gave Sean a call to predict a 49er victory and to talk smack. I must have been loud because Char came down to see what all the commotion was about. San Francisco was about to win, when Brett Favre threw a touchdown with 2 seconds left on the clock. Sean called before the extra point was in the air to rub it in.
Later Bob Nelson came over and we went out for some pizza. Talking over the game I pointed out we had to be San Francisco fans, “We’re both 49 years old and our table number is 49.”
Bob says, "Go Niners"
Monday (9/28) Suzanne asked if I could pick up Sean and Tim at school. Before I left I climbed in the attic to recover my old San Francisco 49er jacket and hat. Sean used this as another excuse to rub in Sunday’s loss. Loss or not, I kept my jacket and hat on when Sean asked me to toss him some passes in the front yard. The wind must have been 30 mph. Shaun Hill (me) must have thrown twenty touchdown passes. Sean even got me to run some plays. After sprinting back and forth a couple time I was ready to puke. I didn’t feel too bad because Sean was ready to quit before I was; of course he ran ten times as many routes. I don’t know if it was the exercise or the light salad for lunch but I wasn’t tired until 1:30 AM and had lots of energy for a change. The next day I was tired all day (I felt like a 99er), so it didn’t last long.
"Go Bison"
After dropping some hints, Suzanne invited me to the Bison Football home opener at the Fargodome. Unfortunately, she got sick and couldn’t come herself. Paul Dobbins asked, “You think Victor would like to come?” I gave him a call but didn’t get any answer. The traffic wasn’t too bad. Paul parked in the street next to the Fargodome. Sean and Tim bailed out of the van. Clare gave one hand to Paul and one to me. The weather was great and the tailgaters were busy across from the Fargodome. The students were flooding into the dome, wearing their gold t-shirts. Paul and Tim stopped for concessions. Sean, Clare and I went to find our seats. I let Clare hold my hand until the crowd got too dense. She got a good view as I picked her up and sped to the other end of the dome. To Tim the game is an excuse to eat concessionaire food. Sean had a Subway sandwich, but then pestered Paul for junk food during rest of the game. We didn’t get any popcorn, but Paul bought a bag of roasted candied almonds. Yum.
Bob Nelson At Work In The Endzone
Bob Nelson was down in the end zone getting ready for the game- he is NDSU Sports Information’s photographer. Bob couldn’t believe Clare could eat an entire hot dog in one sitting, but she stuffed most of it into her mouth and chewed it down. Paul had to cover her ears after each Bison touchdown, at least until she got use to the cannons going off.
The game was good. The Bison started out shaky but played better and better. The ticket holders in front were well behaved, but the NDSU students behind were assholes. Loud assholes. If I didn’t think it would start a fight, I would have told them to shut the hell up. I think they were drunk and they were certainly opinionated, screaming taunts at our quarterback and defense. They left by the third quarter and we followed shortly after. The final score was NDSU 59, Wagner 28. Victor called at half time, but as the NDSU Gold Star marching band was playing a medley of Emerson Lake and Palmer songs I couldn’t hear him. I gave a one sided update to the game and told Vic I would call him back afterwards. On the way back to the car, I told Victor I had called earlier with a free ticket. Too bad he was outside and missed my call. He would have enjoyed this game.
Game Coverage with a photo by Bob.
In theory we could have left early. I was up at 5:00 AM. I was excited, but fell back to sleep for a while. Gene, Char and I had breakfast. I spent some extra time lathering up with sun block. Gene laughed, “I was waiting for you inside and you were waiting for me outside.
It seems like I’ve been waiting forever for this air show. Now that I got a good camera I’m doubly excited.
When my 2nd Cousin Jeff Maas was planning this trip to North Dakota to see his grandmother (my Godmother) he asked what dates might be best to stop in Fargo. I told him, “Any day would be find but if you’re interested we’re having a big Air Show on the 22nd.”
Yesterday I heard something loud and fast. I could hear it clearly from the basement office. It was Blue Angel #7 giving a media flight. I’m all fired up for the Blue Angels. This includes two days of practice before the air show.
