Guess I’m a Michigan Fan September 5, 2012

Since I’ve started dating Matt, my affinity for collegiate athletics has grown to embrace college football.  And this past weekend, quite literally, kicked off the start to the 2012-2013-college football season.  Many of you know I’m fan of college sports so it works out quite well.  Basketball will still be my favorite and when it comes to professional teams, I do follow faithfully the Bears and Cubs for the record.

Unfortunately though, since I’ve started watching college football, it has created a minor rift with my best friend, Jill. Why you may ask? Well, Matt’s favorite team is the University of Michigan. And Jill’s is Michigan State. So yeah, a little rivalry. And I’m in the middle (well maybe be a little closer to the U of M side…). Truth be told, they’re pretty good about playing nicely. And the trash talk is pretty amusing.

One new thing that I’m learning about watching college football is all the preparation to watch the game from your sofa. It starts with the apparel. At least a t-shirt or shorts displaying the school is required. Baseball caps can be worn for additional flare.  Once you’re properly outfitted, it is time to add some flare in the room of which you will be watching the game.  This can be done a few ways. One way is to hang up flags and or pennants.  If that’s not enough, break out your cozies, plastic cups, beer glasses, or shot glasses from your favorite team. They might come in handy later pending on how well they are doing. Once the stage is set, it’s time for the meal.

I’m not going to lie, the food is my favorite thing. Matt had picked up New York strip steak for us. We grilled the steaks and topped them with blue cheese and fried onions. Tasty! For a side we baked sweet potatoes together with brussel sprouts with garlic, thyme and olive oil. Also very tasty. And for dessert we enjoyed New Glarus’s Raspberry Tart over vanilla bean ice cream. This was extremely tasty!

Raspberry Tart Float with Vanilla Bean Ice Cream – Epic! *Photo courtesy of Matt

Even though Michigan was not able to win against Alabama, I had a great meal and learned about the proper preparation for a college football game.  I’m ok spending the rest of my Saturday nights watching college football if it means getting steak and drinking good beer. Oh, and the company is not so bad either.

Seven Things that Make Fall Sizzle. September 23, 2011

{Football}  It’s an excuse for having Sunday Funday every Sunday!  I still don’t know that much about it, but I’m learning a tidbit or two each week.  And even in Denver, I love being a Bears fan.  Our team might not always win, but we fans are loyal and very dedicated to our team in good times and in bad.

{Hoodies & Sweatpants}  We went camping a couple of weeks ago, and in the mountains fall is on fast forward.  It’s gorgeous: the Aspen trees with their white trunks and contrasting leaves fading to shades of deep red and pumpkin.  And even though it was freezing in the morning {believe me, there really was a frost and you could see your breath in September}, it was the perfect opportunity to bring out my favorite warm hoodie and cozy sweatpants, which I’ve missed dearly all summer.

{Baking}  Personally, I think there’s never a wrong moment to fire up the oven and create a tasty baked good.  But when it’s 99 degrees and you live in the Mile High City with no central air conditioning, even I have a hard time getting into the true mood of baking.  On a crisp Saturday morning in Fall though, nothing seems better than warming up the apartment with birthday cupcakes for a friend.

{Candles}  They’re romantic and instantly cozy up a space on a chilly evening, especially when they’re pumpkin scented.

{Boots}  I wore my boots for the first time today since last ‘boot season.’  I figure when it’s in the 40s when you wake up, you’re allowed to don your tootsies in fuzziness.

{TV is back}  I’m not a huge TV watcher anyway, but having Modern Family return to perk up the middle of my work week does make me smile. 

{Switching from iced to hot coffee}  Iced was nice during the heat of summer.  You can’t deny it though, nothing beats a pumpkin latte.  And on those 40 degree mornings not only does my coffee warm up my tummy, but it makes my hands happier on the steering wheel when I’m at a stoplight and get to hold my travel mug.

Touchdown Rush May 4, 2011

Whether watching it on TV or at a tournament, watching golf can be like watching paint dry. Even baseball as a spectator can be a little sluggish sometimes. (Unless it’s the Cubs playing, of course.) Faster-paced sports have always been my game, either playing and/or watching them, sports like basketball, hockey, soccer and football I could watch all day with no problem. It’s even better if they are collegiate teams.

However, I found a new sport that I really enjoy, arena football. Fun fact: Chicago is home to the “Chicago Rush”, who are actually celebrating their 10^th season this year. I remember seeing something about arena football a few years ago on ESPN, but otherwise I never paid much attention to it. That was until one of my co-workers asked a few weekends ago if I’d like to go to a game. And of course my answer was yes!

The Chicago Rush play at the All-State Arena, and rock a five-month season which starts in mid-March and runs through the end of July. The Rush is part of the national conference, central division, which is comprised of teams from Dallas, Iowa, Kansas City and Tulsa.

Talk about a quick-paced game. In arena football, a team can score within the first 10 seconds of the initial kick-off and final scores of games can easily reach over 60 points for each team.

Contributing to the high scoring game is the small field size of 85 feet wide by 50 yards long. Only eight players are allowed on the field at a time. And you can also play off of the “goalside rebound nets”. This can be pretty nifty if you can properly catch or get a lucky bounce, if not you might be in trouble.

Aside from that though, what I was really impressed with was the dedication of the players during the game. They played hard with their whole hearts. The team was definitely tuned into the crowd and you could tell they were out on the field for their fans.

After the game many of the players went back out on the field to meet with the fans. They took the time to great each one individually, to sign their playbook or take a photo. Players even took critiques about their touchdown dances in stride.

Who knows, with a ticket only costing $25 I might check out a few more games this season!

Chicago Rush Field

Let’s Go Bears! October 24, 2010

Ok Ladies, here is the 411 on football. We think we don’t like it because it is boring and it’s a bunch of guys running at each other and not making sense… (I’ve thought that before, I promise), but then I starting dating a guy who’s first love was football. Hopefully his second love was me… I think. But here is the real low down. This sport takes guts, smarts and talents. And let’s face it, a football player or lover is dead sexy. This is a man’s game. 

You will read this if you want to make sense to the opposite sex, whether for business or pleasure, and yes, both have come up in my life. The Bears take years off of my life. I, myself, am secretly in love with Charles Tillman, number 33, or better known as “Peanut.” This is mostly because he calls the country station, 99.5 regularly, so I feel like I know him. Maybe we all have our favorite players, but no one player on the Bears is going to make this sucky team win. We all want them to win, because a happy boyfriend is a sexy boyfriend. But let’s face it, the Bears suck. Their coaches suck, the players suck and well, let’s all admit it, Chicago hasn’t had a good team since the 2005 White Sox. Or better yet, the 90’s Bulls.

Hester, #23, could run the ball if Washington would kick it to him. Cutler, #6, could pass the ball if Knox, #13, was paying attention and Moore, #30, could intercept the ball if the refs didn’t call bogus calls. But the fact of the matter is, the refs hate the Chicago Bears and they are doomed to become the next Chicago Cubs. Sorry Cubs fans, but it is true. It takes years off of my life to be a Chicago Fan.

Every Sunday I wear my #22 jersey and pray,l and every Sunday I am either feeling lucky or disgusted based on their performance. C’mon Bears, let’s see some action. Yeah the owners don’t pay you well, but you represent the best city in the world… let’s show them what we’re made of.