Apartment Blog

Football is fast becoming the most popular sport in America.  Some people are purely Pro-Football fans and others purely College Football junkies.  However, one tradition that transcends both levels is tailgating. Because Football Saturday is one of the main attractions of a football city/town, people from all over come for tailgating and watching games. It doesn’t matter if you even like football or understand the rules. Tailgating is a wholesome and fun event that the whole family can get involved in. It is also a source of pride and bragging rights for a community to have a competitive football team. 

For those that aren’t familiar with tailgating in the football world, it’s not “driving dangerously close to behind another vehicle.”  It is a social event that is held around the tailgate of a vehicle that usually involves beverages and grilling.  Fans dress in their team jerseys and talk about the upcoming game and get excited for the festivities.  It used to be an “underground” activity but has gained mainstream popularity with ESPN’s College game day reporting from the tailgating scene of the most exciting games of the day.

South Bend is one of those cities where tailgating is commonplace.  It is is also the current home to the College Football Hall of Fame. In a sense, every college football players dream is to make it to South Bend.  Although the Hall of Fame is scheduled to move to Atlanta soon, the pride of housing the Hall of Fame will never leave.  South Bend is a small city with a very dedicated and hardworking people.  Their allegiance is to the Notre Dame Fighting Irish.  Notre Dame has one of the most storied football teams in history; some of that history even being documented in the popular movie Rudy. Notre Dame is at the center of this tradition and it is something you will enjoy during the fall months in South Bend.  Who knows, maybe you can make connections that will last through all the seasons!

Get more information and search tips on South Bend Apartments, or view all Apartments for Rent in South Bend, IN.

Sources:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/South_Bend,_Indiana

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tailgate_party

I’ve only lived with family for a roommate, but I still have some interesting stories. There have been awkward situations, tense moments and belly aching times (from laughter). Me being such an organized person, I don’t even understand how someone can live without actually being able to see the floor (literally covered with clothes).  But that being said, there have been many fun nights coming back from girls’ nights; staying up snacking and watching movies.

However, not everyone’s roommate experience is pleasant. Here’s a story from a contributor.

My college experience was jam-packed with great memories.  Fun times.  And repulsive roommates.  Not everyone has had the “pleasure” of having that roommate from “you know where”.  But many need only to think back to the past to remember when you fought for shower time or when you came back to your dorm room after an evening workout only to be surprised by something you wouldn’t even want your worst enemy to see.

My freshman year of college was extremely exciting.  Like many kids entering their first year, going away to school was a huge jump from high school life - that experience of moving away from home, no parents, getting to experience life by setting your own schedule.

Move-in day was great.  One of my roommates happened to be a good friend from high school.  The other was a mild-mannered girl from instate.  Or so I thought.  Everything started out great.  The three of us shared a rather large dorm room, which was attached to a suite bathroom.  But living with someone in close quarters magnifies their imperfections.

I’m not even sure if “imperfections” accurately applies to this girl.  We took the bunk beds; I was on the bottom and she was on the top.  She would get up for an early morning class; climb down from her bunk to her desk, hop on IM for a few and roll out for class.  Mind you, there was no time taken to change clothes, brush hair, let alone brush teeth.  Disgustingly enough, this was her normal routine.

I remember a night when there was a group of us hanging out in our room and she was eating some popcorn and some fell on the floor.  I don’t care if a floor is freshly vacuumed…it’s still the floor.  Well this girl proceeds to pick the popcorn off the floor and eat it.  She puts the popcorn in her mouth and a huge piece of lint is hanging from the corner of her mouth.  Gross doesn’t even begin to describe that situation…

Staying on the topic of food, that girl loved Easy Mac.  She ate it pretty much every night.  The smell started to make me sick after awhile.  That’s probably the reason I’ve never tried it.  I even stopped eating Kraft Macaroni and Cheese.  Too similar.

And she never cleaned.  Ever.  I don’t even think she knew how to work a vacuum.  We had come up with a schedule for cleaning the bathroom (which we shared with our suitemates, three other girls).  I’m not sure what her idea of cleaning was, but it was just that - an idea.  Someone else was always cleaning up behind her.  She was just filthy.

Unfortunately, my experience happens too often; I say often because once is too often.  But you live and you learn.  I wonder what she’s up to these days…well really I don’t.  Hopefully she’s somewhere taking a shower.

So I KNOW you guys have got some interesting roommate stories! So let’s hear them! Oh and they don’t even have to be funny just mildly entertaining because I am easily amused.  In fact, the contributor with the most unique story will get published on our blog! Happy writing.

 It’s the most wonderful time of the year.  My cousin’s favorite song to accompany her favorite sport - football.  We’re going to focus on college football for this one though. 

The Florida Gators are the preseason #1, no surprise there.  I’m not a Gator fan by any means (FSU all the way!), but I’ve heard it is a pretty nice area.  If you’re starting school in the fall you may want to check out some off campus housing near Florida State University or the University of Florida.  With Tim Tebow returning for his senior season, the Gators are predicted to win their third national title in four years.   The top ten also includes:  Texas, Oklahoma, USC, Virginia Tech, Ohio State, Ole Miss, Alabama, Penn State and Oklahoma State, in that order.

The top ten rankings don’t show it, but the SEC is going to be a lot stronger this season with five teams in the top 25 (Florida, Alabama, LSU, Mississippi and Georgia).  LSU has been known for their defense in the past, but have struggled since power defensive lineman, Glenn Dorsey left in ‘08.  I have high hopes for the Tigers, though.  Georgia is a school that continues to go after it year after year; they finished last year with a very respectable 10-3 record.  Coach Mark Richt has a no nonsense attitude and apparently so does the Bulldogs’ mascot, UGA.

It’s clear that quarterbacks dominate discussion for this season with the top three Heisman candidates, Colt McCoy (Texas), Sam Bradford (Oklahoma) and Tim Tebow (Florida) all starting in the QB position.  Two of them hail from the Big 12 conference; Colt McCoy and Sam Bradford.  Out of these three, my vote goes to Colt McCoy because I’m neither a Florida nor Oklahoma fan.  My hatred for Oklahoma stems back to 2003 win they gave Jason White the Heisman trophy.  Larry Fitzgerald got robbed!  What ever happened to Mr. White anyway?  Has anyone seen or heard from him?  Is he even in the NFL anymore?  That would be a NO!  This is one of the many reasons why I’m looking forward to the Red River Rivalry even more this season.     

Last season Texas beat Oklahoma in the Red River Rivalry even with the horrible officiating throughout the game.  And I will never understand how the Sooners jumped the Longhorns in the rankings last season when they clearly beat them in the head to head.  There will never be a logical explanation for that mess.  That’s the BCS ranking system for you.  But if you’re thinking about moving and you’re an avid college football fan like me, think about Texas as many would argue the Lone Star state is home to the best college football athletes in the country. Check out some apartments for rent in Dallas, Austin and San Antonio.

Schools in the rebuilding phase:  Notre Dame.  They are currently listed as #23 in USA Today Poll.  I think that’s rather high especially with Charlie Weis’ job hanging in the balance.  If the Fighting Irish don’t come through this year, he’s probably done.  The Irish have ranked in college football’s elite throughout history, but you wouldn’t know it from recent seasons.  They finished last season with a less than respectable 6-6 record.  That’s not going to get it done this year.   But if you’re still holding on to the Irish’s old glory days (like my father) then you’ll want to check out some apartments in South Bend. 

Miami is another school that’s had its share of struggles.  Miami really hasn’t been the same since the Ken Dorsey/Willis McGahee era (I’m not a Hurricanes fan, but I’m secretly a WM fan).   Even though they’re not ranked in the top 25, the ‘Canes have a lot of returning talent and look to start the season strong.  However, their first game is against the ‘Noles on 9/7 so that’s a guaranteed loss.  Sorry Miami. 

It looks like this is going to be a pretty eventful season.  Many analysts predict the Gators to win the 2010 National Championship, but I think it’s still up in the air.  Either way, I can’t wait for the season to start.  Everyone mark your calendar for Thursday, September 3^rd.  Hard hitting and pigskin, that’s what I live for.

Summer is here and everyone is antsy to get out of work and do something fun! But oh, what did you say…can’t go out because it costs an arm & a leg? That’s why we’ve assembled a list of relatively inexpensive activities for the summertime!

Rollar bladding-whether you have your own skates or not, this is an activity that can be less than $10!

Local sports game-it could be high school, college or even a minor league game. Tickets for the Norfolk Tides, the AAA baseball team, are about $8.00 per person! Just eat dinner before hand and you’re good to go!

Local book store-you could sit in on free readings for various story titles. Barnes and Nobles has events almost every day in the Hampton Roads area, including a group dedicated to help you overcome writers block!

Visit a museum-how better to spend a hot summer afternoon than in an air conditioned museum. Not all museums are boring either! The Chrysler Museum of Art in Norfolk only costs $7.00 per adult.  You could definitely spend hours staring at beautiful pieces of art work.

Festivals-the amount of carnivals, country fairs or festivals always increase during the summer. My favorite to attend in Norfolk is the Bayou Boogaloo & Cajun Food Festival at Town Point Park. For just $10.00 per person, you can see live entertainment; walk through the amazing New Orleans Art Gallery and more! For just a few bucks more, you can sample some of the mouthwatering Cajun spiced crawfish, jambalaya, gumbo and alligator.

Take a tour-whether it’s of an area you’re not that familiar with or perhaps a historical tour of the city you live in. Williamsburg and Jamestown, Virginia have great tours to really experience the true history our state offers.

Wine Tastings-local winery shops, such as Total Wine in Downtown Norfolk, have free wine tastings in their stores weekly. You would certainly become a connoisseur in no time!

Including some of these activities into your summer plans will ensure you have a slam packed adventurous season! More inexpensive and creative ideas for saving money are in our Nesting in These Economic Times blog.

 It’s the most wonderful time of the year…  March Madness is in full effect with the Final Four coming up this weekend, Saturday, April 4.  As everyone’s noted, there are no Cinderella’s this year!  In fact, the lowest seed, Villanova (#3) comes from the Big East, which was clearly the strongest conference this season.  The Wildcats, champions of the East Region will face the South Region’s champions, North Carolina (#1) with tip-off at approximately 8:47 PM.  The Tar Heels are heavily favored to take out Nova in this showdown, but we’ll see.  Fellow Big East team and also a #1 seed, Connecticut comes out of the West Region to face off the tough Spartans of Michigan State (#2), coming out of the Mid-West region with tip-off scheduled for 6:07 PM.

This will be nothing short of an epic Final Four battle.  This is the first time in a long time I can honestly say that the National Champion crown is up for grabs.  A legitimate argument can be made for any one of these teams to win this year.  Villanova has been playing defense like nobody’s business since the second half of that round 1 game against American University.  North Carolina is once again a complete team with the return of Ty Lawson from that nagging foot injury.

The early game will be a showcase of defense.  The Huskies hail from the Big East, by far the toughest conference in the land this season, where defense is the only way to survive.  Lead by the 7′3″ force in the middle, Hasheem Thabeet, UConn is not a team to take lightly.  On the other side, Michigan State, coached by Tom Izzo always brings strong, suffocating defense to each and every game they play.  No one comes close to their level in the Big Ten.  But in order for the Spartans to win, they will have to put some points on the board.  Connecticut is not the most offensive-minded team in the league, but they can put up some numbers.  In this match-up, I’m going to have to go with the Huskies.

Now for the moment of truth…I’m biased in the second match-up because Scottie Reynolds, star guard for Villanova hails from Herndon, VA.  That’s right.  He graduated from Herndon High School, my alma mater.  This is a proud day for anyone who attended Herndon High School.  Now don’t get me wrong, I love the Tar Heels, but I love the Wildcats more right now.  The Reynolds vs Lawson guard match-up is going to be one for the ages.  I’m excited to see how this game will play out.  Carolina is unarguably a team who will put points on the board in a hurry.  But it’s going to come down to how hard Villanova can play D against this high-powered offense.  I’m going out on a limb in this game and picking Villanova.  Don’t let me down, Scottie!

With that being said, and continuing with my bias, I’m declaring that the Villanova Wildcats will be the 2009 NCAA Men’s Basketball National Champions.  That’s it.