Georgia on my mind
Back in the very early days of Channel 4 I took a side interest in American Football, a sport similiar to rugby but for girls. However it was only my move to the US that got me to appreciate the inner workings of the game and for the last 6 years I have joined some mates, both Brits and Americans, on a Superbowl weekend which involves generally three things: choosing a location to explore; lots of drinking; and finally finding a boozer with enough enticements to encourage us to spend our spondoolicks whilst watching the whole Superbowl Sunday unravel in front of our bleary eyes.
Unfortunately this year my rediscovered status as a Dad has put a temporary end to my boy's Superbowl weekend. The lads are off to Savannah in Georgia tomorrow and will no doubt take a good look around 'the Hostess City of the South's' charms before on Sunday watch from under a cloud of beer the New Orleans Saints take on Indianapolis Colts in
Superbowl XLIV.
My team, the Chicago Bears had a very inconsistent season and said their farewells to the play-off's long before the snow started to fall over Soldier Field. The Bears finished with a record of 7-9, which left them 11th in their Conference. Last year's Superbowl champions meanwhile Pittsburgh Steelers also failed to make the play-off's, which I think is the first time that has happened to a champion since 1982.
A Saints v Colts Superbowl does represent the two teams with the best Conference records but hopefully the game won't resemble a Man U v Chelsea FA Cup final. I detest Peyton Manning for no logical reason except he single-handedly beat the Bears in 2007, and for being on every other commercial on American television, so for that reason alone I will be supporting New Orleans, who as a city is still recovering from the consequences of
Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Unexpectedly I will be just 70 miles north of Miami in
West Palm Beach on Sunday. Our daughter's passport finally arrived and we have made hurried plans to take her on her first vacation this weekend. More on that tomorrow.