FAITES DU BRUIT!

The ostensible reason for our recent trip to Montreal was for Pierre to take our daughter and myself to see one of the final games before the big whoop Grey Cup Game, which is being played tonight even as I type this.  At the game we attended, the Montreal Alouettes won big-time against the BC Lions, 56 to 18.  I was the only one in the stands to cheer the Lions AT ALL, EVER, throughout the game, and I only did so once, for fear of my life.  The rest of the stadium was silent the few times the Lions managed to score, silent being a relative term as the decibel level in the place was akin to that of an over-amped giant beehive full of happily buzzing (roaring) bees at all times.  I just could not believe the amount of noise in the place, but when you consider it was full of 54,000 people, mostly men (and by men I mean pumped-up, half-crazed, rabid sports nuts), I guess it's understandable.  And I'm just talking about the times when they weren't being encouraged by the guy with the microphone to "FAITES DU BRUIT" (make noise)...which I thought he was inexplicably saying "ONE TWO THREE" but as most of football seems inexplicable to me,  I didn't question it.  After awhile, though, I did notice the crowd roaring, banging empty seats, stamping, blowing horns, whistling whenever the 1-2-3 signal was given and I eventually looked up at the giant screen to behold the magic words "FAITES DU BRUIT" and all became clear. Well, at least that part of the game.

I don't think I was ever in a place with 54,000 people all at once before.  Here's a cross-section of what it looked like.  They actually got the "wave" going around the entire stadium a few times.  I was too busy with other things to participate...

Other things looking something like this

Well, no, it wasn't the hairy leg I was preoccupied with, more to do with not spilling my beer.  Truth to tell, I only consumed one.  But at least I did my part.  Here's what was attached to the leg

Beer Boy really got his exercise, carrying beer up and down the stairs.  Unfortunately, hot dogs weren't delivered to the seats but our dutiful daughter went and lined up for them for a half hour or so.   We ate them too fast for me to get a picture.

Of course there were cheerleaders to go along with the display.  They're more distracting than anything else but still inspiring enough for this aspiring little cheerette to get her groove on.

I have no clue who these guys are but they were pretty stoked about the Alouettes being Number 1.  At least, I think that's what the fingers signify.  It's all a mystery to me.

So now, gentle silent readers, I must hurriedly post this and dash off to join the men folk over at our buddy's house to watch the final game of the NFL season--the Grey Cup.  This is the game the Montreal Alouettes won the right to play in.  They have won that right 7 times in the past 10 years...but have not won.  Their reputation is on the line tonight.  I'm just in it for the half-time nachos and beer that promises to be served up.

Go Als!

UPDATE:  The Montreal Alouettes won the Grey Cup 28-27 after being behind at half-time 3-17!