Navajo Bob

I did something sort of spontaneous today. I drove for 7 hours to see my Alma mater play a football game.

At first I was going to drive here Friday for Saturday’s game. Since I couldn’t drag myself away from my computer last night, I left my apartment this morning with just enough time to get to the kick-off. I was going to drive straight (7 hours) to the game.

After an uneventful, long and boring drive, I got off the highway and headed towards the stadium. When I saw the logjam that was the line to get into the parking lot, I drove to the hotel instead.

It’s about 1.5 miles away. I hate having to deal with parking lot traffic, so I gave up seeing the beginning of the game and got my room squared away and walked to the game. I just followed the PA voice and crowd noises!

I’d already paid $50 online for a ticket, so there was no way I was missing this game! I’d done that already the previous year. I’d driven all the way to a stadium, but didn’t bother going into the game because of parking hassles and no ticket. This time I made sure I was going!

I get into the game, find my seat and enjoy the view. It was a windy evening. As the sun set behind the tower of high dollar luxury boxes, it illuminated the clouds with a brilliant golden red hue.

I decided to get up and see what sort of refreshments they served here. Beer! 🍺 Suds. My favorite thing to quench a thirst at a game. Only (gulp) $13 a can! It’s a scam sure, but they have the advantage. What can I do? Beer please.

As I stood at the top of the grassy berm taking in the half-time show, the man next to me starts a conversation.

“Isn’t it beautiful? Look at everyone here enjoying themselves and having a good time. I didn’t appreciate this when I was young. “

I don’t know how many strangers have come up to you and just started talking to you, but it happens to me frequently. More than I’m comfortable with, to be honest.

But sometimes you can tell they HAVE to say whatever is on their mind(s). Robert was not to be denied. He was going to buy me a beer and we were going to talk.

I could tell this was going to be a conversation worth having. Not for the substance of the discussion, but for the camaraderie. We were close enough in age, that we could talk as two men in their 60s. We could nod, high-five, toast, and look sincerely at each other while I answered the same questions repeatedly. That’s what you do with a drunk friend at a football game.

Bob is a retired (30 year) postal worker. He’s of Navajo ancestry. He was one of the friendliest humans I’ve ever run across. He bought a round, then I bought one. We talked about everything and nothing. If you’d have seen us, you’d have thought we were old friends reuniting.

He talked of his 50 year high school reunion. He spoke of a lifetime of frustration trying to help people, but they didn’t seem to get better. They just stayed where they were.

I think if I had just hung around with Bob, (I declined his offer of another round) I might’ve woken up tomorrow at his ranch. I’m not that adventurous, but he seemed that generous.

It’s a good thing Bob wasn’t an attractive woman or I might’ve gotten myself into some real trouble! Am I too gullible? Maybe he was crazy and not drunk. I don’t know. He went looking for his brother and I went down to my seat. Navajo Bob, may you live a long healthy life!

I did have a great time, at least from what I remember. I watched the last of third and most of the 4th. Everyone around was enjoying the game. It wasn’t a blow-out, but my team, the visitors, definitely seemed to have it well in hand. I didn’t want to be around if it got ugly for any reason and left early.

I walked back a little paranoid, but I was not bothered by anyone. It was good to walk and clear my head a bit before arriving back at my room.

I let the universe’s teachers talk to me. It’s amazing sometimes what it comes up with when I let it.