Bears, guns and snow.
So, according to several sources (including my bad wrists), Chicagoland is headed for a wet fall and a cold, snowy winter. Personally, I’m excited about the cold. And the snow. Especially since I’ve got several pairs of rockin’ boots to keep my tootsies warm these coming months.
Of course, cold weather always brings something else to mind besides climate-appropriate footwear: football season! I was back home in Philadelphia this past weekend, cheering on my Eagles, but I did manage to catch the Bears-Packers game. Having never paid much attention to Da Bears before I moved here and only knowing about them from the SNL Superfans skit, I was still well pleased to watch them cream Green Bay.
I was not always a big football fan, but in recent years I learned the error of my ways. Football combines several incredible factors of modern life into what is usually a boring time of the week: delicious/cholesterol-filled food like wings and burgers and leadbelly dip, beer, screaming and yelling, and the excuse to wear a goofy-looking shirt with huge numbers on it in public. How could anyone go wrong?
Sure, crime is on the rise, and sure, someone was shot right in front of my apartment yesterday when I got back from the airport, but maybe sports can bring the city together. [Feel free to comment on my egregious naïveté here] …
Anyway, how do the rest of you Chicagoans handle the winter months? Would anyone like to share recommendations for stylish yet warm boots? And, more importantly, how is everyone feeling about the NFL this year? I’m open to listening to any and all suggestions. Unless, of course, it’s Sunday afternoon, in which case you shouldn’t bother me–I’ll be too busy screaming at my crappy television, beer in hand.
PS. I saw Mike Ditka in a bar on Halsted a few weeks ago. Apparently this is not uncommon. Who else has a Ditka sighting?
I find it a waste of time to watch all of the games. When you break it down, football is a pretty darn slow game. Without the breaks you could watch a game in less than half an hour (instead of close to 3 1/2!). So I pick some games here and there and watch them, and skip all of the others. Snow is ok, as long as I’m on skis!
That’s why you have to watch them with lots of friends, food, and beer to distract yourself from the slow parts!
Not sure I understand Bill’s comment. Unless you’re at a bar with a million screens you can only watch two football games at any given time, at least on regular tv. At most, you can watch two out-of-town games and the Bears game, and then a Sunday night game. Monday’s is on cable now. Perhaps you have some satellite hookup that allows you to watch any game?
Anyway, I find football to be the only sport where I can watch two teams that aren’t my hometown’s and still enjoy. The beautiful violence of the sport goes perfectly with large quantities of booze, not to mention ripping chicken wings apart and throwing the bones away.
I will re-explain my comment. First off I’m not saying that I watch games in a half hour (but I do understand there is a new service that will allow you to). And I don’t watch all the games, it’s actually about the opposite of that, maybe one per week.
Football is a slow game. The plays take about 7 seconds each. Runs up the middle are boring plays as are most kickoffs and punts and field goals. I don’t enjoy going to bars every weekend, eating wings, etc. On occasion it can be fun. On a nice day I’m just not going to sit in front of a TV for 3 1/2 hours to watch a single game.
That might imply that I don’t like Football. But I do. I just don’t love it like some of you. There’s a time and a place for everything. I know some folks that watched games Thursday, Saturday (college), Sunday and two on Monday night. That is just not for me. Enjoy the games!
Football? Eh. I agree with Dave, it’s a waste of time, but I’ll extend his comment to include any games. I hope the Bears do well and periodically I keep up on the team via the AM dial, but that’s as far as it goes.
As far as dealing with Winter, as long as it doesnt get below 20 degrees, then I’m happy. Otherwise I’m cursing every 5 ft on how F&*^%&ing cold it is. And I’m drinking lots of hot chocolate and keeping warm at home with my sweetheart.