Sunday, November 11, 2007

Friday Night Lights

Friday night FFP and I partook of an old tradition in the U.S.A: we went to a high school football game. Both of us were at every game forty-odd years ago when we were in high school because we played in the marching bands of our respective schools. We went to Round Rock on Friday. Years ago FFP had a big client and hired some employees for his little ad agency. One of them, a talented but untamed twenty-something, became like a son to us. We worried over his financial fiascoes, bought him a suit so we could send him to a trade show, bought health insurance for him. FFP was best man in his wedding when he married a wonderful girl. He settled down to become a successful man with a lovely family. Unbelievably, his son is a Senior in High School. This was his last game as a Stony Point Tiger. Since he's as close to a grandson as we are likely to get, we were happy to see him handsomely navigating the bench warmer's role in his last regular game. (Hey, he's a great student!)

The whole experience of the high school game was there: elaborate entrances of the teams to the field, cheerleaders, bands, flag bearers, dance teams. And, of course, football. It was all more elaborate than in our day, actually. This picture was taken after the victory of 'our' team.

Disclaimer: This picture was taken in Round Rock. But most Austinites consider Round Rock a suburb and most denizens of Round Rock would say they live in Austin. From the edge of Austin to the heart of Round Rock, is a continuous area of businesses and homes. The growth there has been phenomenal due to a company called Dell. And to make the story complete: the client that made FFP hire some employees when they experienced enormous growth? Yes, Michael Dell.

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