I moved down here for a job offer that I really couldn't refuse. Wasn't too sure about such a big move as I'm a single father with 2 young kids. The only thing I knew about College Station was that Texas A&M was here. I brought the idea up to my kids and they jumped at the thought. I think mainly because we were all sick of six months of winter.
Got here at the beginning of October last year and immediately bought tickets to the Kentucky game. Other than it being 100 in the shade, I had a great time meeting all of the tailgate aficionados around us. That being said my weber smoky mountain made me feel pretty small compared to some of the rigs around me. Everyone was so friendly and kept inviting us to their tailgate. Growing up a Jets fan, that never really happened at Jets games. I think everyone is just so miserable that they're jets fans that they pretty much keep to themselves unless by some odd chance the Jets win.
Cut to about two weeks ago I was in Los Angeles visiting my brother. One day I wore an Aggies shirt and I've never had so many people come up to me saying things like "gig em" or "whoop". Growing up near Syracuse, if you wore an Orange shirt the best you would get is a " you see the game last night?". Of course I saw the game, it's the middle of December and I live in upstate New York. What the hell else would I be doing? Ags really seem to go out of their way to connect with other Ags or even Ags by ZIP Code. When they found out I wasn't an alum, They were just so psyched that I was living in College Station and that I was wearing an Aggie shirt.
I was at Daikokuya that day. It's a famous Ramen noodle place in downtown Los Angeles. An older gentleman walked up to me and gave me a pat on the back and a very heartfelt and loud "Gig Em". We chatted for awhile about football and Buzz Williams and all things College Station. He shook my hand and said "maybe I'll see you at Kyle some day" then he paid his bill and left. We finished our meal not too long after that and I asked for the bill. The waiter brought it over and I noticed it had a zero balance on it. At the very bottom in pencil was scrolled "Saw em off. You may not have graduated from A&M but you're an Aggie now". He even left a tip for me which we added to obviously.
What's my point? I'm not really sure myself. Just really grateful for my new home and the people around here that have made it so great. #GigEm
Got here at the beginning of October last year and immediately bought tickets to the Kentucky game. Other than it being 100 in the shade, I had a great time meeting all of the tailgate aficionados around us. That being said my weber smoky mountain made me feel pretty small compared to some of the rigs around me. Everyone was so friendly and kept inviting us to their tailgate. Growing up a Jets fan, that never really happened at Jets games. I think everyone is just so miserable that they're jets fans that they pretty much keep to themselves unless by some odd chance the Jets win.
Cut to about two weeks ago I was in Los Angeles visiting my brother. One day I wore an Aggies shirt and I've never had so many people come up to me saying things like "gig em" or "whoop". Growing up near Syracuse, if you wore an Orange shirt the best you would get is a " you see the game last night?". Of course I saw the game, it's the middle of December and I live in upstate New York. What the hell else would I be doing? Ags really seem to go out of their way to connect with other Ags or even Ags by ZIP Code. When they found out I wasn't an alum, They were just so psyched that I was living in College Station and that I was wearing an Aggie shirt.
I was at Daikokuya that day. It's a famous Ramen noodle place in downtown Los Angeles. An older gentleman walked up to me and gave me a pat on the back and a very heartfelt and loud "Gig Em". We chatted for awhile about football and Buzz Williams and all things College Station. He shook my hand and said "maybe I'll see you at Kyle some day" then he paid his bill and left. We finished our meal not too long after that and I asked for the bill. The waiter brought it over and I noticed it had a zero balance on it. At the very bottom in pencil was scrolled "Saw em off. You may not have graduated from A&M but you're an Aggie now". He even left a tip for me which we added to obviously.
What's my point? I'm not really sure myself. Just really grateful for my new home and the people around here that have made it so great. #GigEm