LIVE BLOG: Purple Fever Hits Timonium

UPDATE (7:47 p.m.)—It's been fun folks, but our battery is about to die. Be sure to follow us on Twitter @TimoniumPatch for updates. Stay tuned after the game for reactions. 

UPDATE (7:37 p.m.)—Celebrity spotting: Hugo "Hurley" Reyes, from LOST, is off the island. And he's apparently a Ravens fan. (See photos.)

UPDATE (7:30 p.m.)—It's like a roller coaster of emotion in here. 

UPDATE (7:00 p.m.)—What the French toast is going on, boys? The last three possessions have been atrocious. 

UPDATE (6:52 p.m.)—Interception. "[Expletive]. [Expletive]. [Expletive.] 

UPDATE (6:50 p.m.)—Folks, no matter how loud you shout at a plasma TV neither the Pittsburgh Steelers, nor the referees will be intimidated by your threats. 

UPDATE (6:36 p.m.)—The momentum in the restaurant has swung. The once boisterous crowd has been lulled. My guess would be the shots being served left and right. The first booth in the sports bar is (conservatively) on their fourth round of shooters. 

*TRIVIA TIME* Can you guess what is Ray Lewis's bar beverage of choice? The answer will be revealed at the start of the 2nd half. 

ANSWER:  Patron tequila in a tall glass, over ice, with fresh squeezed lime juice. 

UPDATE (6:06 p.m.)—The Ravens hit the locker room up 21-7 at the half. Hightopps patrons hit the bathrooms filled up on cheap beer. 

UPDATE (6:00 p.m.)—Just posted another video reaction of fans going crazy after the Ravens score their third touchdown. Check it out to the right. 

UPDATE (5:40 p.m.)—Two women wearing Pittsburgh jerseys just spurred a "Pittsburgh sucks" chant in the sports bar. In other news, my Macbook Pro just took a bath in Bud Light, compliments of the lady who spilled her beer. 

UPDATE (5:18 p.m.)— And before I can post an update, the Ravens look like they've done it again. There are about 12 debates happening right now over whether or not it was a fumble. 

UPDATE (5:15 p.m.)— And the crowd goes wild! We just posted a video of the crowd at Hightopps celebrating the Ravens' touchdown. 

UPDATE (5:00 p.m.)—I'm getting flashes of working as a server again. I'm grateful I'm not working this game, although it is likely the servers will be able to pay a months rent from just this afternoon. 

UPDATE (4:55 p.m.)— Older woman next to me by the pool tables just said, "I wish they would just accommodate me by breaking Roethlisberger's arm. Not his nose. His arm." That was in response to the Steelers' touchdown. 

UPDATE  (4:50 p.m.)—Pass interference. Flag thrown. This reporter cannot share the expletives that were just shouted, cursing the referees. 

UPDATE (4:30 p.m.)—We've spotted the only Pittsburgh Steelers fan in the main sports bar. Take a look at photos and see if you can spot her. 

UPDATE (4:20 p.m.)—Just heard the first "no means no" chant when a shot of Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger flashed across the screen. 

ORIGINAL—By 3 p.m. there wasn't a table left at Hightopps Backstage Grille in Timonium. 

The service staff, bartenders and kitchen braced for the flock of purple and black setting down at the popular sports bar at 2306 York Road.

It's a weird feeling being back at Hightopps, while not wearing an apron. I partly paid my way through college working here for nearly three years. 

I've come to realize that Hightopps has become synonymous with Ravens activity. Every Monday night Hightopps plays host to Super Bowl winner Brad Jackson and his sports talk radio show.

The Ravens cheerleaders have hosted periodic calendar/pep rally events here.  The "Ravens' Walk" to M&T Stadium features a Hightopps cheesesteak stand. 

Even a certain Hall of Fame bound linebacker likes to enjoy an occasional after-practice libation here, tucked away in one of Hightopps's private rooms. (But don't try to get an autograph. The security attached to said individual are almost scarier than he is.)

If you couldn't make it out to Heinz Field, fear not! We'll be live blogging from the pool tables all afternoon. Feel free to join the conversation.