M-I-Z-

This is going to be a story, as usual.  It will not be a recap, play-by-play, or boxscore as I am sure most of you either watched the game last night, or at least know the outcome.  If not, Mizzou killed it.

Anyway, so the plan was to meet up with my bro-in-law, some Tuccis, and Weltig.  We were gonna go to B-Dubs in South County (Buffalo Wild Wings).  Me being as forward thinking as I am, I warned that this would probably be a mistake as B-Dubs would be packed much as it was last week and for the Football National Championship earlier int he year, neither times which Mizzou was playing and the Blues were fighting for a playoff spot all at the same time...  This warning fell on deaf ears and my two other suggestions - Hot Shots in Fenton or All-American's bar - went over the crowd like a lead balloon.  

So its about an hour to gametime and Weltig calls me to tell me that he just talked to another friend of ours, Joe, (a KU guy by the way) and he checked out B-Dubs and said it was a "zoo".  I immediately went into panic mode and called bro-in-law to let him know the scoop and that I would be trying Hot Shots to see what it was like.  His mission was to check out All-American - the respective proximities making that the only logical/rational delegation of reconnaissance duties.  I went into Hot Shots and did a turn around the bar.  It was not crowded, but this did not look like the welcoming basketball audience with which we wanted to enjoy our viewing experience.  It was bikers and off-duty construction workers and other dudes that couldn't give a shit about watching the Mizzou OR the Blues games.  I got on the phone and let everyone know this wasn't happening.  I headed in the direction of South County because I knew we'd end up around there if not at any of the places that were suggested.

Meanwhile, Steve was carrying out his mission at the bar over All-American.  He called and said they'd have the game on (this was at about 8pm) and he had one table reserved and it was right by another vacant table.  I made my why there and let Weltig know the scoop in the process.  While I'm driving, my buddy Jimi calls me and says he's at Helen's and it blows because the beer is expensive, so he asks where we are.  I tell him and after I go inside, find Steve, pull the two tables together, and find out the beer prices, Jimi is on his way.  Its just Steve and I for a few minutes until Weltig and Joe join us.  This is after I already have two cold buckets waiting for them...  The Tucci brothers follow in shortly after.  Jimi calls and says he's on his way and he's bringing his girlfriend Mo and her friend.  I jokingly tell him women are not allowed, but he insists.  He arrives sans-Mo (she arrived about a half hour later), but with her friend (who is an actual Mizzou student).  We all enjoy a basketball game, a cold beer, and, some of us, a pizza (okay, two pizzas - extra larges).

The bar was newer than the last time I had seen it... it was also about the 4th iteration of bar design I'd seen in this place, one of which I did some drawings for.  This version was very nice though... They used one of the old bar setups, but put nice finishes in and A LOT of TVs.   The seating arrangements were quite conducive to enjoying any number of aired games, and they even had a couple spots with plush leather couches!  They also had some bar games, to complete the sports bar atmosphere I suppose.  They were kinda superfluous to me as I would only go there to see a game...  At any rate, we will be going back.

So all in all it was a fun and successful night.  We had a blast with a bunch of friends and the Tigers won (which was bound to happen since both teams are named Tigers).  Bring on UConn tomorrow - its gonna be another thriller!

-Z-O-U