Up early on Saturday morning, Heather and I decided “tan” before we headed out on vacation. Sure, we weren’t going to any sunny location, but I thought I’d give her a little bit of Los Angeles anyway… so we stopped at a Mystic Tan place in Janesville. There was definitely a glow, but I wasn’t really all that impressed. I was tan in the face, Heather was tan everywhere else but the face. Besides not being able to breathe in all that chemical mist… it was a fun experience.

So, on the way. I believe we hit about 6 tolls all together on the way down around Chicago and into Indiana. Armed with Sirius radio, we were able to keep the programming steady for all 4+ hours. The conversation was good as always… After feeling like we were going to be running late in the morning, even after losing an hour to the Easter Time Zone, we arrived to the hotel at 2pm - a full hour before check-in.

We were able to check-in early, change, relax… we then hit up a little deli around the corner. I had breakfast - which I’d have 3 times a day if I could - heather had soup and a Rueben. It was ok, but it was time to get ready for the game (the Badgers are playing at Purdue in case you’re behind… most of the reason of why we’re there in the first place).

We were able to get a ride from Anton, the hotel’s concierge - who, after conversation evidently wears a thousand hats at his job…. he’s going back to school too… oh, and there was recently a hostile take over of the hotel… just in case you wanted to know. ;)

Arrived at Mackey arena at 6:40 - 20 minutes before the doors opened. As we waited just inside the main entry, we took notice of the ticket taker’s “box.” Basically, the thing they put your ticket in after they rip the stub off… it was a tall, black, beat-up metal box about waist-high. We mentioned how it reminded us of being at a circus.

Finally, it’s time to go in… a hot pretzel and a coke later, we’re at our seats… 12th row, just about at center court. Perfect. But wait, we’re on bleacher seats… if they would’ve been wooden, this would’ve completely continued the circus ride… close enough. We noticed quite a few other Badger fans in the audience start to flow in, which lessened the staring at us just a little bit.

I’ll skip over most of the game, which consisted of a single Badger highlight with Tucker receiving an ally-oop pass from Taylor, but 35% shooting, once again, was not even close to enough to beat the worst team in the conference.

At the first media timeout, our circus atmosphere continued as a baton-twirler dressed in gold came out and put on a show. The only thing missing was flames and a tiger. Then… the highlight… the ringmaster came upon the loudspeaker hovering from the rotted wooden poll holding up the Big Top… and out came the flying cheerleaders! Two male cheerleaders held atop their heads a female, parellel to the ground, arms out like superman… err woman. I believe there was 3 of them, but don’t ask Heather because the amount of tears in her eyes from laughing so hard would’ve probably multiplied the actual number by 2. It was hilarious, and capped off the circus themed evening…

Back to the hotel after waiting 30 minutes for a cab (Anton was done for the night at 10pm)… we went to the 8th floor lounge for a martini. Remind me to stay away from vodka… it works as a truth serum and Heather took full advantage. Without revealing what she dragged out of me… it was awkward at first, but really seemed to bring us closer as the weekend went on.

Sunday was a relaxing hang-out day. We started by visiting a suprisingly excellent little restaurant called Scotty’s Brewhouse in West Lafayette. It’s like a really really nice Applebee’s as far as atmosphere… a long beer selection… and Scotty himself came out to say hi (either because we were first-timers, or because we were buying glasses - either way, it was nice). Heather and I decided that collecting glasses from restaurants we visit will be our little “thing.” I like it.

We also stopped a bar called Chumley’s, which has a beer list a mile long and offers an “Around the World” club for people who want to taste it all. We just had a drink then went back to the hotel to watch the Super Bowl… instead, we found ourselves asleep for about half the game… Grey’s Anatomy was a little more exciting afterwards, followed by some more talking and even more sleep.

Monday was the long drive back through tolls and traffic, and even more conversation. If there’s one thing I’m taking away from this long weekend, was the fact that it seems that Heather and I became even closer than we already were… it was nice… refreshing… and exciting.