Graham's first football game

Graham donned his RU T-shirt and joined a solid showing of red-clad faithful at his first football game on Saturday, a non-conference match-up between Rutgers and UNC.

We found ourselves among good company at the game. In addition to the many fans from the local Rutgers alumni club, we were joined by my college buddy - and intramural basketball legend - Vinny T, who came to town with his lovely wife Jessica. Dad and Denise also made the trip to cheer on the Scarlet Knights and enjoy a weekend stay at 8107 Mackenzie.

Rutgers made a good showing in the stands and, for the most part, on the field as well. We had an enjoyable time even though the end result wasn't what we wanted.

Graham wasn't the only person having new experiences on Saturday. Vinny T led us all on an adventure that evening to Crazy Fire, a delicious Mongolian grill in Raleigh. Perhaps nothing speaks better to Vinny T's passion for the place than the fact that he once flew to North Carolina for lunch there. It's also the location where he asked his future father-in-law for Jessica's hand in marriage (Editor's note: "asking for her hand in marriage" is a strange phrase).

At dinner, we shared great food and more than a few laughs, some of which may admittedly have been the byproduct of sitting in the afternoon sun for too long. We also banged the Crazy Fire gong. If what they say happens when you bang the gong too hard is true, Denise's goat will soon be hairless. Who knew Denise had a goat?

It turns out that the best pictures from the weekend weren't our own. You'll have to trust me that the tailgate photos, featuring lots of scarlet and white in a Tar Heel blue town, were good ones. Not that any of the pictures below are bad; it's just that none of them are from the football game or our trip to Crazy Fire.

Graham clearly enjoyed his time
with Mimi and Pop Pop.

The traditional photo we take
with overnight guests.

Rutgers or UNC?
That's actually not a difficult question.