I will be submitting as many posts as I can today, but it is shaping up to be a busy day for the Super Bowl Chauffeur.
Let me first begin by digressing. Yesterday was my second day as the driver for the wife of one of the owner's for a NFL team.
So what is it like to be plugged in to a super rich person that has come to town for the Super Bowl? Well, it is just as if I were driving for any of you that read this if you were here on vacation. You may question that, but in my two days with this lady and her friends, I have seen nothing but down to earth people on vacation.
We went to the mall to buy a sweater because it was cooler in Tampa than expected. A birthday present for a friend was purchased while there. Friends going out to see the sites. Of all of the places that they could visit, Bush Gardens, Channel Side, Orlando mega monster mouse ... they chose Lowry Park Zoo. And, they were impressed.
Now, for today. It is now 2:18 PM as I am writing at this moment. The build up during the week is now about to erupt into what we usually expect on Super Sunday.
Earlier this morning I was asked to "stage" at the NFL HQ hotel Marriott Waterside. The valet and hotel traffic managers who have been working hard and long have a noticeable increase in seriousness as everything begins to move. Fans are milling about and buses that will carry the coaches and support staff to the stadium are in place for their cargo to be loaded.
The police have been surprisingly patient and courteous. But security, which has been in the background, is now very visible. Dogs are sniffing ... and not for a place for them to park their thoughts.
Downtown traffic is nearly non existent. I have spent two full days in downtown and the mob has been huge. This morning, you could hardly tell there was an event in town except for all of the Pittsburgh jerseys.
And to that point, I would bet (and I am being conservative) that for every obvious Arizona fan there are 100 Pittsburgh fans. And the bars are aware of it as well. Every food and beverage location I have seen have banners stretched across their building shouting "GO STEELERS!" I have yet to see a Cardinals banner.
So picture this. Pretend the Steelers were really the Redskins. Who would the other team mascot be? That mascot does not exist in the NFL. It would be Custer and his 198 soldiers.
I can almost imagine what it would be like, after seeing the Steeler fans in Tampa, for General Custer. The Cardinals are going to enter the stadium and they will look up as if they are in Little Big Horn. And surrounding them will be thousands and thousands of Steeler fans with their yellow/gold and black war paint all over their faces. Instead of tomahawks, their hands will be moving in a frenzy with Steeler towels.
Well, I won't be able to see that. Chauffeurs stay out in the parking lot. But, good news! They are putting on a tail gate party for the chauffeurs during the first half of the game. Food, ice tea (alcohol would not be looked upon favorably for chauffeurs) and a giant screen TV. We were told that we would need to be back at our cars following the half time show.
I hope to have another post before the game. The balance of my posts will be via Twitter. I will get as many Twitpics out to you as time permits. You can follow me @RickFrissell
Until then, this is the Super Bowl Chauffeur driving you crazy!
Rick Frissell ~ 813-340-6828 cell
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