Random Cowboy Stadium Thoughts

I finally made it out to the Cowboys Stadium on Saturday.

• I did not take the pic of the fake Marion Barber, above. But you will get frisked before going in the stadium.
• It (the stadium) is gorgeous from a distance and as you walk up to it.
• Parking is not a problem. Price is the problem. I paid $40 and I parked in a the Rangers parking lot west of Nolan Ryan Road. Good grief.
• There are girls with bicycle rickshaws willing to transport you. I heard one of them say that she doesn't charge a price but only works for tips -- I bet that's some kind of Arlington ordinance if you don't have a taxi permit.
• And I saw her fire up a cigarette on the way back to pick up more passengers.
• Inside, lots of open space. You'll never feel crowded walking around.
• I've never seen so many employees: Concessions, security, seating attendents, etc.
• The teams enter from the sides instead of the end zone. I don't like that.
• But it's funny to watch the visiting teams' players look up at the big screen as they enter the field.
• The huge video screen is everything they said it was and more. It's a weird experience in that I sat in the upper deck and ended up watching the screen more than the field.
• But the stadium experience is so different seeing a play and then seeing the expression on a player's face. It is exactly like a TV in your living room -- only better.
• There appear to be suites at field level. I don't understand that.
• Wade Phillips on the big screen will make you giggle.
• There are gift shops everywhere.
• I can't believe people get excited over a preseason game, but they do.
• The "Party Pass" for $29 is probably a good deal, but if you aren't up next to the rail, you can't see the field.
• There seems to be lots of our Hispanic friends that like Cowboys football.
• Funniest sight of the night: Walking back to the car in the third quarter revealed one guy "tailgating" by himself by watching a flat screen TV hooked up to a portable satellite dish. Funny.
• There is a Cowboys dance team for halftime that were pretty much clothed strippers. I can't remember their name, but it looks like they'll be there all year. Edit: Someone sent me a pic.
• Prizes were awarded throughout the night and one section (yep, an entire section) each received a $50 gas card.
• Before the players are introduced, a montage of current and former player greats are flashed on the screen. Even I was moved by it.
• Edit: The goofy mascot, Rowdy, was no where to be seen. Is he gone for good?
• Edit: The UTA Marching Band performed at halftime. Uh, since UTA doesn't have a football team, when does that band ever perform?