Five things you had better do before you go to the Magic City Classic
By Nick Birdsong |
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on October 24, 2013 at 3:00 PM
1. Get your hair situation together beforehand.
You don't want to be waiting at the barbershop or beauty salon on Friday or Saturday in a line that makes the one to renew your tag or driver's license in Birmingham look Muggsy Bogues short. I'll add another nugget for the fellas. Get your haircut the day before the day before you think you need one. It's like lining up for the game-winning field goal in overtime on third down instead of fourth in case there's a bad snap. There's far too much on the line Classic weekend to be walking around with an edge up that's anything less than crispy. If you need a recommendation as to where to go to put you in there, holler at your boy.
2. Check the weather
I know you've been doing pushups and dumbbell curls (fellas) or just concluded your couch-to-5K or 30-day squat challenge (ladies), trying to get right for Classic weekend. But if you show up wearing a wife beater or those high-waisted cut-off jean shorts and six-inch heels and temperatures are bitingly frigid the way they were last year, your experience won't be nearly as enjoyable. Lows are expected at 33 and 45 degrees for Friday and Saturday. Dress accordingly.
3. Brush up on your negotiating skills
None of those prices on any of that merchandise vendors are hawking outside Legion Field are final. If dude wants $20 for that Earth, Wind and Fire or Isley Brothers CD box set before the game starts, I can almost guarantee you he'll take half that after the game is over. Same thing with t-shirts, school and Greek letter organization paraphernalia. It's an open-air market and sellers are trying to leave with as little inventory as possible.
4. Pack an extra shirt or two.
I know you've had your outfits planned and laid out like it's the first day of school for a while now but make sure you bring an additional top or two, especially on gameday. It doesn't have to be anything fancy, just something serviceable you can throw over your shoulder or have your homegirl stuff in her purse. Reason being, there's going to be too much good food with too much good sauce and you're going to want to indulge. The last thing you want is to have to sports a hot sauce stain front-and-center for 60,000-plus to see for three hours. I know you think can hold it down but it's like my friend John always says, 'Plairs mess up too'.
5. Secure your post-game plans as soon as possible.
There's plenty going on after the game throughout the city and plenty of people looking for a good time. Get your crew together, survey your options, make a decision now and most importantly buy a ticket. Don't fall into the trap of waiting until Friday or Saturday night to "see what everybody else is going to be on". That's a sucker move to begin with because wherever you and yours (and maybe a dope DJ) are going to be should be the spot. Waiting just ensures you'll likely have to stand in another long line and spend way more money than you wanted to in order to your enjoy yourself. You think your friends are cool with you but trust me. They're not about to ruin their Classic experience to stand outside with you.
Five more tips for the road
1. Carry some cash
A lot of folks won't be taking cards.
2. Keep a cell phone charger handy
You're going to be out and about a lot and you know you're going to be on social media more than usual. You're going to need to keep some battery juice so you can stay connected.
3. You're probably not going to meet your soulmate at the Classic.
I mean, there's a chance you could and I'm sure some have but those are exceptions. There definitely will be lots of good-looking people from all over the place but remember a lot of it is for show. Everyone's putting their absolute best foot forward. So, you're going to meet a lot of folks' representatives. Objects at the Classic may not be as attractive as they appear on the day-to-day. Stay woke dog.
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