Football is back

For 2 more weeks it is still preseason, but its back and we are excited!

I was able to attend the first preseason game in Reliant Stadium last night with Kevin and had a great time!  (He and his family have had season tickets since before I MET him.  I don't have my own ticket but get to go to several games when someone else in the group doesn't want/can't use their ticket -- its the perfect arrangement!  I get to go often enough and have some time to myself on game days that he goes and I don't, I get some stuff done at home and cheer them on from home.)

During the off-season they installed even BIGGER tv screens in each endzone and I'd seen video online showing them in action, but the videos don't do them justice.  I knew they'd be enormous, but you really can't tell how big until you see them in person.   I found myself having to remember to look at the FIELD instead of the screen it was so tempting to just look at the screen.     As K was afraid of, much of the time 2/3 of the screen are covered in ads -- they took away the static ad space, but there are times when the whole screen is used and its impressive.   I love the new Texans 'transformer' sequence and our nephew will really love that one!   They did a lot of crowd shots and we love watching their faces change when they realize they are on the big screen.   On the way home, K and my father in law did say there were things they didn't like about it - some of the informational items were hard to find or sometimes moved (game clock for example).   I must admit I didn't notice, and just loved it.  

I didn't like the NFL's new bag policy.    You can't bring a purse in anymore, only a very small clutch (4.5" x 6.5" - mine are not that small!)  or stuff in a clear plastic bag - either one you can buy or a ziploc.    My mother-in-law had gotten a bag from the NFL and she let us all toss our few items in it - it'll become our 'community purse'.  My approach will be the less I bring the better, but even then there are items I need -keys, money, phone and I'd carry K's glasses case.   I realized after I got there I should have brought chapstick, and I'm used to having gum, Advil, the list goes on and on 'just in case'.  I'll get used to it, but its starting to feel like air travel -- you have to have a special bag packed for their specifications.   and I'll admit it, I felt a little bit naked without my purse.... I do feel badly for anyone who brings a baby/toddler to the game - all the diaper bag stuff in a ziploc is not going to be fun.     I'm not really sure what it saves, we had our bags searched before so its not really making us safer...   I will say that they publicized it well, and we were surprised to see a few people outside the stadium with huge purses.  I'm sure they were turned away at the gate....they'll learn it soon....Know before you go - the bag policy is NFL-wide.  Here is some info on it.

The game was great, and I loved getting to see former UH quarterback Case Keenum in action for the Texans.