Oh, how I want to be in that number

Take note: You will not be seeing this tag on this blog very often. I was not born with the Sports Appreciation Gene, nor with the Team Spirit Gene.

I've been a resident of Louisiana for almost 28 years now. In that time, I've learned that there is no greater state than Louisiana. Admittedly, I have not traveled much outside of the Southern US. I have visited the second greatest state, New York, and gotten to walk through the second greatest city, New York City. But it still doesn't compare with New Orleans.

I take pride in the food. In the history. In the architecture. Not so much the political attitudes, nor the blatant racism, sexism, and everythingelseism, or the murder count, but other than that, the people down here are very friendly and easy going.

What I've never taken pride in is our football team.

I've spent my entire life dealing with football fanatics. The business my grandfather is in, whenever we were at my grandparents' home, he was watching sports. Basketball, football, baseball, everything. I tired of it quickly.

Not to mention, we're dealing with one of the saddest football teams in history. For decades upon decades, being a Saints fan was a joke.

And now?

Now The Saints are in the Superbowl. For the first time ever. Not only that, but they made history, along with the Colts. For the first time in NFL history, two teams went 13-0, and both are in the Super Bowl. Pretty huge, right?

I can't seem to get excited. And I feel bad, because this is something ALL LOUISIANIANS have been waiting for.

There's a 20% chance I'll watch the Superbowl. Most likely, though, I will avoid it and try to download the half-time show and commercials later.

There was enough pride for me to make a blog post, though. It's small, but it's there.

On an unrelated side note, Neil Gaiman's 14-year old blind cat Zoe passed away today. I've read about Zoe's troubles for the past two weeks, and have gotten emotional reading his entries.

People have been e-mailing him to offer condolensces. I've said a couple of pointless 140-character things on Twitter, but didn't want to intrude on his moment. So I offer it up here.

Few things hurt like losing a pet. My heart breaks for him, and for those actually close enough to really be upset at Zoe's loss. Rainbow Bridge wishes for the lot of them.


-B