The One With The Superbowl

Alright, alright. More than a week between posts is not just infrequent, its plain lazy on my part. But what to write? Its cold- you know that, we've done some shows- you probably figured as much, and its still cold. So its not like I haven't been writing about the most exciting period of my life because for the most part, we've been doing normal everyday things.

That's not to say nothing has happened. Sunday brought the small matter of the Super Bowl (I've given up working out which number it was, all I know is it had this after it "XLIII" answers on a postcard). This year saw the Pittsburgh Whatyemecallits and the Arizona Sparrowsorsummat provide the warm up for Bruce Springsteen's half time show. Its quite amazing the Superbowl, it is a very American thing. Big, loud, and unforgettable. In England the FA cup goes by with not so much as a whimper, here you can't miss the thing. Half time lasted a good 45 minutes as the whole pitch was transformed into a music concert and Bruce Springsteen wailed out 12 minutes of hits (making me slightly regret not getting Glastonbury tickets this year). This was no temporary stage wheeled on and then off again either. Oh no, this saw fireworks, big screens, 30 strong choir, this was like being at Wembley for the greatest show you will ever see, only if you'd got there an ten minutes early or late then you'd have thought you'd come on the wrong day. I dread to think how much muscle it takes to set up and take down in all of 5 minutes for what is basically the half time entertainment.

As for the game, well it was actually really good. American Football can be slow and dull with a 15 minute quarter taking an hour to complete but this was a topsy turvy (feels wrong to use those words in an American context but the best alternative I have is ding dong, and that aint much better) affair that was settled by a touchdown in the last second as Pittsbugh broke Arizona hearts. I have to say I wanted Arizona to win so that was probably the curse that dunnit. Regardless of the result it was incredibly entertaining, and despite each time at times building big leads, it never seemed to be over and kept swinging back and forward.


Today was a day off and so in keeping with tradition brought another cold snap. On Saturday we got up to 7c (warmer than the UK) but today was back to -16c. Anna and I braved the cold to go and see some of the lakes, but after 20 minutes it all got too much and we retreated to a coffee shop to warm up.



I hear the UK is having some extreme weather of its own, although it is laughable that so much seems to have come to a standstill for weather that here is considered the norm. People here just deal with it, the snow ploughs come out, people salt their own path, clear their own drive, sometimes 3 or 4 times a day, and they don't complain and ask why the council hasn't done anything. The fact that London Buses were pulled from service is an absolute disgrace, every year we have this and every year we are embarrassed by how appallingly we cope.



Anyway rant over, time for a cup of tea and some more episodes of "The Wire"

Love ya

Alan