RU vs. Michigan trip Part 2: Pre-Game

The Holobowski on the porch of the Himalayan Lodge  (with BREB looking on)

Bongos, Bongos, and more Bongos

After our trip to the R&R Hall of Fame, the BREP Nation crew made the trek to Ann Arbor to settle into our house for the weekend.  Kudos to Bill on setting us up in this unusual weekend retreat, aptly named by the owners as the Himalayan Lodge.  A truly unusual house, with bongos, unusual artwork, bongos, tales of mountain 
climbing, more bongos, and other musical instruments.   

Getting ready to take on the Blue and Maize!

 After getting fired up for the big game at the Big House, the crew went to the famous Maize and Blue Deli, for a long wait for the excellent treat of hot pregame sandwiches. We then made the short walk through town to the Big House. Check back later for Part 3 of our trip - BREP Nation invades the Big House!

Bill Knows Bo, 

BREB joyfully awaiting his sandwich outside...... 

......as the rest of us wait inside 

RU vs. Michigan trip Part 1: BREP Nation Rocks the R&R Hall of Fame

BRES pays homage to the King's gold suit 

BREP Nation welcomes you to the rock and Roll Hall of Fame!!!!!!!!!

Our resident RU Bad Religion fan 

On our way to the Rutgers-Michigan game, B-Rep Nation took a detour to see the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio. Our crew enjoyed a fun day looking back into rock music history. After a walk around the outside of the building, to marvel at I.M. Pei's interesting architectural design and soak up the neat Cleveland waterfront, our group began our journey into rock's past.^[I think we were all surprised by the amount of instruments, costumes, hand written lyrics and other cool things like the HoF inductee signature wall, the many video rooms, and "The Wall" we discovered during our roughly five hour stay in the museum that was way too short.

While everybody had their own highlights, my personal favorite was the collection of Beatles nostalgia, including John Lennon's Sgt. Pepper suit and hand written lyrics, Ringo's drum kit from the historic 1965 Shea Stadium Show, and the mellotron played by Paul on "Strawberry Fields Forever".

Check out below for just a fraction of the things we saw and learned:

Our fearless leader with a collection of Jimi Hendrix guitars 

BREP in awe of Ringo's 1960s Beatles drum kit 

The RU crew with Michael Jackson's glove and suit behind them

How can you have any pudding if you don't eat your meat!!!!

ZZ Top's instruments with a sharp dress man 

Bruce's hand written lyrics for "Born in the USA"  

BRES channels the King of Rock & Roll 

BREP Nation group shot at R&R HoF Historical Marker sign 

Quick Notes on Nebraska Tailgate

Those of us that made the Michigan trip had an awesome time notwithstanding our team's 4th-straight beating, and I'm sure you'll see some posts here in the near future recounting the expedition.

'15 Huskers certainly not
Tom Osborne vintage

In the meantime, please note that Chris and I will NOT take part in the pregame tailgate as we normally would, since we're coaching our boys' first CYO basketball game, which starts at 1:30 p.m. in Marlboro.  We'll meet y'all inside the stadium, hopefully by kickoff.

Some of you know my friend and Rutgers alum Andrew Kagan (Tom certainly will from the WRSU days), who would like to join the group for the pregame tailgate along with a few friends, including a Nebraska gal
who evidently plans on bringing wings, a tray of food and cupcakes, so whomever is organizing this week's shindig please update the group here.

I've directed Andrew to stay tuned here for details.

Tailgate Pitch: Thurmanator Burgers prior to RU Upset Win over Ohio State

Let's keep the ball rolling this Saturday against No. 1 Ohio State after our improbable 55-52 win over Indiana on Saturday after being down by 25 points and playing matador defense for three quarters.

Our 3-3 Scarlet Knights host the top-ranked team in the nation -- a squad that crushed us last season in Columbus, OH, home to the Thurman Cafe and the "Thurmanator," probably the best burger joint I (and the kids) have ever visited.

The "Thurmanator"

I fully expect to devour a Thurmanator, as well as the Buckeyes' football team in an upset.

With that in mind, I'm proposing that a scaled down version of the "Thurmanator" serve as our core cuisine this Saturday.

Buckeye Candy:
Chocolate and peanut butter

Kickoff is 8 p.m. and the game will be televised nationally on ABC, so similar to the Michigan State start-time and tailgate, I'm proposing we again meet at our usual carpooling spot by 3:45 p.m.

Here's what's on the Thurmanator, BTW -- bun, mayo, lettuce, tomato, pickle, banana peppers, 12-oz. burger, cheddar, bacon, sauteed mushrooms & onions, ham, mozzarella and American cheese.

Oh, and it comes w/fries or onion rings and a pickle spear, so if anyone wants to go crazy and experiment with beer battered onion rings or something, now's your chance!

I volunteer to pick up all burger ingredients, but we need volunteers for the rest -- side dishes, beer, soda and water, snacks, etc. -- and DEFINITELY we'll need a second grill and chef.  Chris will not be with us, so someone (or 2) please bring an extra folding table just in case.

For the vegan-minded part of our group, let me know if you have or I can pick up portabello mushroom burgers or something.

Please respond by THURSDAY night in the comment field below as to what you're contributing, AND IF YOU ARE BRINGING OTHER PEOPLE.  I, for instance, expect a co-worker and his friend to join us for the tailgate.   

Pete has already offered to make Buckeye candy and I'm figuring will have his usual Miller Lites.

Let the discussion begin!

Official BRES Game Day sunglasses now available for a limited time!

BRES has endorsed the sunglasses below as his official RU tailgate sunglasses, and for a limited time you too can now have the same look with your very own own pair!

Combining the black, red, and silver colors of his favorite team's jersey, a dynamic streak reminiscent of the Elvis Presley 'TCB' lightning bolt on the sides, and a sensible style reflecting his practicality, BRES has found a pair of sunglasses representing his own identity that he will be wearing starting with the RU-Ohio State game, on the road to Michigan, and moving forward for the rest of the year!

In line with his simple every man's attitude and the big heart we all know he possesses, Shane has graciously offered to personally sign identical pairs of sunglasses (and provide an accompanying letter of authenticity if requested) that will be made available for auction with the proceeds to go to charity. Supplies are limited, so be sure to move quickly on placing your bid before they are all gone!

Become a bigger part of  the game day BREPnation.com tailgate experience starting today!

October 10th, 2015
Pre-Game Update; Shane Holobowski

           So, tonight's Blackout.
       
      Starting off our tailgate at around 4, we decided to go the Chris Skurat way and celebrate Oktoberfest with a bang. This morning the Holobowski's made potato pancakes, and we're heading out soon.

          Forecasts of intense cornhole coming our way, clear skies, and delicious bratwursts are all ahead to our October 10th tailgate.


                        Stay tuned,
                                 BRES

Time to Break Out the Lederhosen

After a much-needed bye week, BREP Nation will return in full force for this Saturday's 8 p.m. tilt with nationally ranked Michigan State.

"Prost!" says the Festmeister, sans
handlebar mustache

It's a "Black Out," which means I need to fish around for black RU apparel this week.

I'm proposing we meet at 4:30 p.m. for the traditional carpool from Wal-Mart, but if that's too early please speak.  The forecast looks decent but definitely autumn, pegged at partly cloudy and 50s.

Processed German meats, carbs and
freaking cold weather are just a
short drive from East Lansing

Kuchenchef Skurat, Monmouth County's authority on proper Oktoberfest celebrations, is eager to produce yet another award-winning 'fest for "the Nation" and will spearhead the campaign this week, requesting everyone pitch in with a contribution(s) for the event; stay tuned here this week for correspondence.

In separate discussions over bagels and another Jets victory on Sunday morning, I already offered to make potato pancakes and will provide the accompanying applesauce and sour cream.

MSG and former UFO axman
showing his Rutgers support

In the spirit of all-things German, B-REP will provide an iPod playlist featuring the Scorpions, Michael Schenker Group (MSG), Falco (Austrian synth pop '80s sounds are acceptable) and Accept and leverage Tom's wide-ranging musical knowledge and probable ownership of lesser-known (in the U.S.) but influential music from Kraftwerk and Tokio Hotel.

For background, as I understand it, the Oktoberfest theme fits exceedingly well with Michigan State, which is based about an hour from Michigan's "Little Bavaria" in Frankenmuth.

I encourage you to at least hit Wikipedia before Saturday's big BREP Nation Oktoberfest, as a quiz will be given by the Festmeister.