Football has been a common theme in this blog thus far (and a theme that may bore some of you), but it has been one subject that has kept me tied--dedicated--to my American-ness. Europe is alluring, people. It's a different world. Although I don't particularly like Germans (meh), there are some things about Germany and European culture/lifestyle that truly appeal to me. Now hear me out: we are not necessarily headed for expat-dom. See, because I am SO American, in both heart and mind, I am consciously engaged in the fight against never coming home. Enter: The Superbowl.
Why on Earth would I truly give two craps about the Superbowl? you might be thinking. After all, I am a rabid Bears fan. If I could have traded knees with Jay Cutler 2 weeks ago, I would have. Perhaps most demonstrably, I recognized a Packers fan from Belushi's two weeks ago at a restaurant this weekend, and after re-introducing myself, he says, "Oh yeah. I remember you. You were belligerent!"
I wanted to watch the Superbowl. I wanted to see the commercials (which, coincidentally, didn't happen on "ESPN America"), I wanted to root against Roethlisberger (let's end "supposed" acts of sexual violence against women, people!), I wanted the Packers to win so I could justify that the Bears lost to the best team in football this year, and hell, I just wanted to listen to sports IN A LANGUAGE I COMPLETELY COMPREHEND.
So I did. I happily held my hand over my heart during the Star Spangled Banner. I sang along to Keith Urban's performance of "Somebody Like You." I even hesitantly shouted, "Go Pack Go!" for perhaps the first (and ONLY) time in my life. I cheered when the Packers caught the interception that ended the game. And I felt bittersweet when the Pack finally won, only truly happy that my Bears were outmatched by the Superbowl Champs, which of course is a sad justification, but a justification nonetheless. And then we went home...at 4:30am. I told you--dedication.
It felt like home. And that, my friends, needs no justification whatsoever.
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