Patriots
Originally uploaded by rustedrobot.

My first of three experiences in a luxury box came when I was probably 21 and I had somehow managed to find my way into a box in Cleveland, OH for a U2 concert (“Achtung Baby” tour) with a bunch friends from Kent. At the time, I probably didn’t realize that breathing the rarified air of a luxury box was something that happened once in a blue moon. All I probably cared about was the free beer (free beer! 21 years old?!) and free food, two things that still turn me on today. Ask my wife about how my eyes light up whenever we go into Trader Joe’s or Whole Foods and there’s free samples. Me loves the free food!

The second experience was in Philadelphia’s Citizen’s Bank Park and yesterday’s Patriots-Lions game was the third time – spent the game in a luxury box courtesy of a work client and it was…….luxurious! Great views, free food & beer, good company, space to move around, comfortable seating, heated room, private bathroom, etc. The people who built this stadium did these boxes right! Even though I’m not one to demand high-falutin’ lifestyles, there’s really no other way to see a football game. This was actually only the second professional football game I’ve ever attended (the first was last month) and let me tell you, that’s the way to do it. I’ll take my living room and couch otherwise.

December could be a fun month here – I’m coming up on the fifth anniversary of the launch of RustedRobot, so I’ll hit the time machine and revisit some of my favorite posts. If the stars align correctly, I’ll be dusting off Item Five and posting two new interviews. I’m also posting about some of my favorite records of 2006, including an MP3 from each album. This was one of the best years for new music since sometime in the early-to-mid 1990s. Stellar.