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As the New England Patriots take their dominating play against the 2007 Superbowl Champion Indianapolis Colts today, I recall their opening season match-off last year.

The office phone rang the afternoon of September 9. Sue said we were going to the Patriots against the Colts opening game. And despite my initial automatic reply of "We don't have the money," and "How much for the tickets?" by 6:45 I was printing out two tickets on my printer.

I didn't mind too much as the seats were ROW 1 on the 50 YARD LINE. These were the most incredible seats I have ever had for ANYTHING, more than making up for the fact that the mortgage and utilities don't get paid this month. I couldn't believe how close we were! We felt like royalty in those seats, but sadly, no celebrities were in our section. Where was Jack Nicholson? Oh, sorry, wrong sport.

Our first Pats game was our first Pats game at Gillette, and the first football game of my life (I didn't get out much as a kid, ok?)

Since this was my first time at a Pats game, I thought I'd share some observations about the game, the stadium, and my overall experience:I should not admit this, but I really need to learn the rules of football.

I cheered because everyone else did. I don't have a clue about HOW the game is played beyond "Take the ball and run that way fast," or that "touchdown" is a good thing when the Pats do it. Take me to Fenway and I'm fine, but here, I kept wondering, "Oh, is that good?"

Bob Kraft gave a nice, brief speech in front of a massive Superbowl trophy before unveiling the impressive new Superbowl banner with a fireworks display. Very cool. Very stylish presentation and unveiling of the banner and the crowd went wild!

The new stadium continues to impress me. It is truly state-of-the-art. Mr. Kraft and all who built it, be proud. It is awesome. Foxboro, be proud. It put us on the map (twice). And we do get revenue from it, remember.

I continue to be offended by being patted down by security. Not because I don't believe it's necessary (it is) but I'm dead serious: If those guys get any friendlier during the pat down I'm going to demand they buy me dinner first or at least call the next day. I am not joking about this - the pat down is downright creepy.

Look at all the people! The game was a sell-out with 68,756 people. I was honored to be one of them. Nice to see Elton John even for two songs, the man gets better every year. He is a musical genius. But Mary J. Blidge singing the National Anthem made me cry. Really.

Seeing

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