Monday, February 6 2006

WHAT A GAME! WHAT A DAY!

Sunday afternoon/evening turned out to be a pretty fun time. From the anticipation leading up to the big game, to the climatic finish and all of the hijinx in between, Super Bowl Sunday was a fitting finish to another great season of FANTASY FOOTBALL SUNDAYS at Third and Long.

It all started fittingly enough with a text message at 7:18am from NAPOLEON DYNAMITE, asking if the bar was open yet. This guy had been chomping at the bit throughout the week, waiting for the big game to begin. He was so amped up for the game to start that he actually went to the bar on SATURDAY afternoon, just to sit in his favorite chair to warm it up. This guy was so worried that someone would take his seat, that he HAD to get to the bar first, just for peace of mind. Funny thing was that when he arrived, MR. LOW-KEY had already gotten there and was sitting in his seat.

Normally the crowd for the Super Bowl won't begin to arrive until about an hour before game time (approx. 5pm). However, the STEELER NATION was so excited about the game and was so afraid of people taking up their seats, they started arriving at around 3pm. One by one, the began trickling in. Then the crowd chants began, the shots began to flow and by game time, the anticipation was at a fever pitch. Mostly all of the Sunday regulars made it for the big game: Besides NAPOLEON and MR. LOW-KEY, other regulars included AFRIKA BAMBATTA, T-BILL, ANGEL, CRIMSON CAMEL-TOE, SILENT BOB, AMERICAN PSYCHO, DIRTY SANCHEZ, THE CUSACK BOYS, YOU-KNOW-THE-DRILL (who by the way, puked all over the floor after drinking like a fish, bless his heart), THE STEELER NATION GANG, LITTLE BRITAIN and THE GOOD SAMARITAN, just to name a few.
There were also countless others who've been to the bar in the past, but not enough to be considered "regulars".

Throughout the afternoon, the hijinx had everyone in stitches. When they weren't making side bets on such important items as the coin-toss or who would score first, there were other side bets that were more humorous than anything else (like the over/under on the number of African-Americans would actually hang out at the bar to watch the game, or the color of CRIMSON CAMEL-TOE's thong). If you were to ask anyone what their favorite commercial was, or how the ROLLING STONES did during their halftime concert, they'd be hard pressed to tell you.

We also have to give special props to FIRE MARSHALL ED, who turned out to be the big winner in our big game pools; he hit twice in a row in the big pool (much to the chagrin of some), and hit in another pool. Not a bad day's work for the big guy. Congrats to him and to everyone else who was lucky enough to hit.


At the end of the game, as the clock wound down, the bar literally went nuts as the Steelers' fans celebrated their Super Bowl victory like it was the end of the world. From joyous cheers to tears of happiness (from NAPOLEON DYNAMITE, of all people), you would have thought it was New Year's Eve, Mardi Gras, Chinese New Year and Fourth of July, all rolled into one. It was actually cool to watch, and it pains me to say that, being a CLEVELAND BROWNS fan. Congratulations, you've earned your trophy. Eventually the bar cleared out, and aside from a few couples, MR LOW-KEY, MR. PLUMBER, and a rather charming young lady from the Midwest (whom i'll call HOOSIER GIRL), the place had pretty much emptied out by midnight.

I finally got some pics uploaded, thanks to ANGEL and her spankin' new computer. Apparently she took almost 200 pics from the day's activities. Here are only a few. I will try to set more pics up in the next day or so. Notice AFRIKA BAMBATTA in his natural pose, hunting for his next meal (in this case, the lovely MS. CRIMSON).



Now that the season is over, a certain sadness overwhelms me as it means the end of another year with the "crew". As is the case after the season ends, everyone scatters like leaves in the wind to resume their normal lives. Sure I will see some people from time to time in the neighborhood throughout the year, but it isn't quite the same as the bond that we renew every September-February. For what it's worth, no one knows what the future brings, but as always, I enjoyed your company immensely and thank you for your continued support during the season.

That's it for now. Hopefully I will be able to get more pics up soon. Check back later. As always, if you have anything to share, feel free to post away. One piece of good news: T-BILL'S Blackberry was finally located today, thanks to some nifty detective work by yours truly (with a little help from AFRIKA and GOLDIE). Apparently a drunken NAPOLEON DYNAMITE found it along with T-BILL'S chapeau (that's French for hat, for you uneducated folk) in his jacket pocket when he got home, bless his heart. In any case, the lost items were safely returned and T-BILL is one happy camper again.


It's Monday and that can only mean one thing: DOLLAR DRAFT MADNESS! $1 mugs of Bud/Bud Light all night long!

NUFF SAID