Super Bowl Sunday

One of my favorite days of the year. Family, friends, food, football. What's not to like? OK, so most of the time the game isn't that good and lately the commercials haven't been that interesting. But you still have family, friends, and food! And when your team is actually playing its GREAT.

We've been to a lot of different places to watch over the years, mostly at other peoples houses. Here's some of my most memorable and most enjoyable (not necessarily the same) games from over the years.

One year we went to some friends, Mike and Julie's, apartment. It was the whole gang I worked with at Kobacker's in Ohio. It's memorable because of the good time we all had partying. There were TVs all over the place including the bathroom. Lots of food and beer. Don't remember who was playing the game though.

Another memory is when we went up the street to the neighbors. Mark was about 9 or 10 and went with us. He was friends with their son. Matt was about 13 or 14 and he didn't come - he didn't want to go anywhere we went during those years. He had plans to watch at his friends house. We only stayed at the neighbors until half time because they had two little girls that could not talk without screaming at such a high pitch that I thought my eardrums were bleeding. So I told Terry I was leaving and we walked down the street 4 houses to our own. Once inside we all noticed that the door to our basement (that has a dead bolt!) had been forced open. The whole door frame was smashed to bits. I don't remember being afraid although I'm sure I was but went downstairs to find the same thing had happened to the door to the outside through the garage. I don't remember the exact sequence of events anymore but probably went through out the house to see what else was wrong. Well to our surprise Matt was at home in his room. It turns out HE was the one that broke in, kicking down 2 doors to do it! His reason was that he was mad that we weren't home when he got there. He knew we were up the street and didn't even bother to come up there. Needless to say we were furious with him and there was a lot of screaming and yelling. Let's just say this was a glimpse into the turbulent years with Matt, but none the less a memorable super bowl, again no idea who played or who won.

Another Superbowl was spent at our friends, Ronnie and Randy's, house. Great food, good times with family and friends. Both boys were with us. Ronnie and Randy's boys were there and maybe some others- not sure. I remember sitting in a blow up Miller Lite chair that kept deflating. It was all good.

After that most of my memories are watching the game from the house. Its' amazing how many times Mark and Matt came over for our intimate Superbowl parties once we got the big screen TV. All kidding aside, those are my best memories - the boys, their girlfriends and maybe some friends, Terry, and me watching the game. I'd rearrange the room and make sure all the couches and chairs were facing the TV. Of course you had to climb over some to get in and out of the room. Terry would make sure the food just kept on coming: wings, meat balls, chips, salsa, hot pastry thingys. Fantastic!

This year will be another first. (I don't like most of the "firsts" anymore). Terry and I are going to Matt's close friend Justins parents for the game. Mark and Malinda are having close friends to their house for the game. And Matt, well I won't get to share his enthusiam for the Steelers this year as they fight for number six. I'll miss that. Matt is a die hard Panthers fan, no doubt, but if the Panthers aren't in the mix he was right there for the Steelers. He always made it a point to take me, Terry, and Mark to the pre-season Steelers/Panthers games in Charlotte.

I toyed with the idea of going to the game. Terry and Mark encouraged me. Matt definately would have wanted us to, in fact he would have probably put the whole thing together and the 6 of us would be in Tampa right now. I just didn't have it in me, maybe because I didn't want to do it without him. Anyhow, I know that he'll be with us all, no matter where we are, cheering along side of us.

GO STEELERS!!!