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Stuck in Ennis, Texas

cowboy boots for sale at Texas Junk store in Houston

We’re stuck in Ennis, Texas . . .! We’re 30 miles from Dallas and Bullz-Eye and the other “Game On” Bloggers are stopped in our Chrysler 200s just outside of the Big “D” because of icy road conditions. With the Big Game just a few days away on Friday night, there were virtually no road crews out on Interstate but plenty of police cars (in rear wheel drive Ford Crown Vics) assisting those poor souls who were sliding off the highway left and right. We witnessed one vehicle going in the opposite direction cross a wide center beam and crashing into the guard rail in an amazing loss of control (Brad from SportsGrid.com has the photo here). That happened about 20 miles from where we were shut down. We wanted to keep going but we didn’t have a choice. Would it have been that hard for Dallas officials to find salt trucks from up North once they knew the weather reports?

Earlier in the day we visited the Texas Junk store in Houston where a guy named Bob sells used (that’s right . . . “used”) cowboy boots from all over the country. Bob was a great host and stays pretty busy for someone who keeps his store open only two days per week. Nice work Bob!

The roads out of Houston were really no issue for our convoy of vehicles so we stopped for a great lunch at Taqueria Y Restaurant where the service and Tex Mex food were just what we were craving. A few hours later we were unpacking at the Holiday Inn Xpress in Ennis, but if the weather improves as forecasted we’ll be back in our 2011 Chrysler 200s early Saturday for our long awaited arrival in Dallas. In the meantime our fellow bloggers including The Bachelor Guy will hold it down in Dallas until Bullz-Eye rolls in.

As much as we wish we were reporting from Dallas our team is safe for the night and getting really pumped up for the Green Bay vs. Pittsburgh showdown on Sunday!

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Friday Video – Biffy Clyro, “That Golden Rule”

How this band escaped my notice for as long as they did is a bit surprising. They’re Scottish, and I’m an Anglophile. They’re even from Kilmarnock, hometown of my beloved Trashcan Sinatras. They’re a ferocious power trio that has elements of Muse and System of a Down in their sound. I love Muse, and well, that “Chop Suey” song. Where have these guys been hiding? Not sure, but when I interview their drummer later this afternoon, I plan on asking him that very question.

Muse fans are going to dig this, one of the most epic four-minute songs you’re likely to hear. There’s even a bit before the big prog-off at the back half where the drummer’s doing a military thing while the bassist (who’s the drummer’s twin brother) strikes a single note that will bring “Butterflies and Hurricanes” quickly to mind. The band is doing their first headlining tour of the States, and they’re playing small clubs. See ’em now, so you can say you knew them when.

Starting the road trip to Dallas with the Chrysler 200

Chrysler 200 road trip to Dallas

After a fun night hitting some of the legendary establishments in New Orleans, Bullz-Eye hit the road Thursday morning as part of the Game On Drive to Dallas for the Big Game. The morning started with some filming and logistical set up and we were ready to go. We left New Orleans around 9am for Houston in our 2011 Chrysler 200 with another media team in tow with Brad from SportsGrid.com and Heather from ILoveSportsGirl.com in the second car and we were rollin’ down Interstate 10 our new friends! The weather was of course cold and wet but that didn’t damper the excitement of driving the new Chrysler 200 en route to Dallas.

We were very impressed with the vehicle. The interior of the new 200 was very comfortable and stylish with plush leather seats with exposed stitching and an elegant but practical dashboard. All of the controls were easy to use as we enjoyed the satellite radio while using the GPS. The V6 had some kick to it and that made the ride fun, and the car handled great on the wet roads.

After about 2 1/2 hours on the road we stopped for lunch at Fezzo’s outside of Lafayette and guess what – more oysters! The food and service was excellent and it gave us a chance to take a break before we hit the road again. After playing some football catch with Phil and the production team we jumped back in the Chrysler 200 and cranked up some Springsteen. The weather wasn’t much better when we crossed state lines into Texas and our side view mirrors had chunks of ice on them. This stuff isn’t supposed to happen in Texas! We made it to the Magnolia Hotel in Houston around 5pm and were met by strong winds and freezing rain. After more filming we chilled out for awhile and actually tried to get some work done as that stuff piles up when you’re on the road.

Now that we were in Texas, we naturally had to find some serious barbeque for dinner. We hit the jackpot at Beaver’s BBQ in Houston and the Bar Bar and smoked beef ribs were excellent and went down nicely with some beers. We’re looking forward to more delicious Texas cuisine as we roll into Dallas.

So far the Drive to Dallas is going great despite the chilly weather. The roads between Houston and Dallas are frozen but it’s supposed to warm up a little for the weekend so hopefully we’ll be back on the road soon. We have a huge party planned for the day of the Big Game so the buzz is building for the biggest spectacle on earth!

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Timbuk2 Limited Edition Giraffe Messenger Bag: An old classic gets a jungle makeover

It’s hard to believe that Timbuk2 has been around for 20 years, because it seems like just yesterday that the San Francisco-based outfit’s simple yet stylish messenger bags were becoming all the rage with hipsters on the West Coast. There was even a point in time when owning a Timbuk2 bag was a badge of coolness, kind of like knowing how to find the newest hotspot in town. But unlike most trends that eventually fade away, Timbuk2 is as popular as ever, thanks not only to its expanding catalog of products (including luggage, iPad cases and more), but because the bags themselves are just that awesome.

Though most people looking to pick up a Timbuk2 bag will likely gravitate toward the classic messenger style due to its customizability, the company has recently released a series of limited edition jungle prints that are perfect for those who like to stand out from the pack. Now, you’re probably thinking to yourself, “Why in the world would any self-respecting guy be caught dead carrying one of these around?” But while animal prints are usually reserved for little girls and women with questionable fashion sense, Timbuk2’s bags (available in a zebra, cobra and giraffe print, the latter of which was provided for review) aren’t nearly as tacky as you might think. It’s not for everyone, but I actually like the fact that they’re a bit more adventurous than the typical messenger.

Apart from the outside of the bag, which features a more stylish canvas fabric instead of the usual ballistic fiber, the Giraffe Messenger is practically identical to its bestselling forebear. The ballistic nylon boot ensures that you can put it down on any surface without worrying about the canvas getting ruined, and the waterproof TPU liner protects the contents inside from getting soaked in the rain. The two large Velcro strips and buckle clips that secure the outside flap also help prevent unwanted damage, but it’s not exactly a fortress like Booq’s line of laptop messengers. You can also attach an optional cross strap for added security, but unless you plan on wearing it while riding a bike (in which case it’s incredibly useful), the strap can be a little too tight for comfort.

If there’s any downside to the bag, it’s that it doesn’t have a whole lot of space. There’s a main compartment with a few internal pockets, an additional slash compartment great for a laptop, and a three-zip front organizer, but that’s it. Then again, if you’re looking for a bag to take with you on a business trip, Timbuk2 has plenty of other styles to accommodate your needs. The Giraffe Messenger is more of an everyday bag to take with you to and from work, and in that respect, it’s great to have something that’s both durable and lightweight. It still would be nice if they included some kind of compartment on the back of the bag, but the Napoleon side entry pocket (which is located on the front inside and can be accessed without even opening the flap) serves a similar purpose.

Minor complaints aside, you’re not going to get much better than a Timbuk2 messenger bag, even if they are a tad on the expensive side. There’s a reason they’re so popular, and it’s not just because they look cool. Timbuk2 has always done a great job of combining style with quality and functionality, and nothing has changed there. The only question you really have to ask yourself is whether or not this limited edition animal print is your cup of tea, because while it might serve as some nice camouflage on a real safari, out in the urban jungle, it’s guaranteed to make you the center of attention.

A big chill in The Big Easy

2011 Chrysler 200 ride to Dallas

Despite a winter storm that shut down a large portion of the country, Bullz-Eye was able to arrive in New Orleans on time thanks to some great work by our airlines! One of the other members of the “Game On” team wasn’t able to fly out of New York on Tuesday so our Drive to Dallas has been altered a bit with the drive now Starting on Thursday.

Now make no mistake the weather is cold in the Big Easy but the accommodations at the Westin and the great food can temper even the coldest of days. The Camellia Grill was a great spot for breakfast and the Manhattan omelet with hash browns was off the charts. If our group didn’t already eat enough we stopped by Cafe Du Monde for beignets and some café au lait! Unreal and only in New Orleans.

Last night we kicked things off with an incredible dinner at Dickie Brennan’s Steakhouse. Fried oysters and seafood gumbo kicked off the meal, and tonight we’re hoping for some authentic New Orleans étouffée!

seafood gumbo in New Orleans

Bullz-Eye will hit the road in a 2011 Chrysler 200 tomorrow morning but first we’ll do some filming today so look out for plenty of content on our Drive to Dallas.

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