As our staff heads into a well-earned weekend, we had a few reasons to chuckle, when we somewhat accidentally noted it was Super Bowl weekend - and none of us had any super significant plans.
In fact, back in Nebraska, our plan for the weekend is pretty much to make sure we stay warm - and inside, if at all possible. We went to the store yesterday - like everyone else also seemed to be doing - got our provisions, and hurried home.
In DC, we're not worried about suffering through a midwinter storm this weekend. The NFL fans that we know here who support our local team - the Redskins - have gotten used to losing for many years now. While there will be plenty of parties planned to watch the big game, most of those we know about aren't going to have fans who have much emotionally invested in the outcome.
Down in South Florida - or New York South, as we jokingly call it - the huge number of people originally from New York has the area hopping with excitement over the game. There are more than a few snowbirds from New England also spending the winter down here in Florida. They seem just as amped up for the big event as their counterparts from New York.
For millions of Americans, the Super Bowl is a major television event each year, regardless of where they live. Like most Super Bowl broadcasts over the last 20 years, this year's event is set to draw a record audience, somewhere in the neighborhood of 40%-46% of households.
What the ratings figures never say is how many of those people watch the game for the commercials - and we have to admit that part of the draw for every member of our staff is the commercials too. As creative people, we often like to see what other creative people put together for TV ads - or what dreck companies have paid millions to put on the air.
We may watch the halftime show featuring Madonna - though it's just as likely we may take that time to go take care of personal business, instead. Let's just say we'd rather see the University of Nebraska Marching Band at halftime.
The key to enjoying the weekend for all of us - no matter how we join in the real national pasttime or what those in our local neighborhoods will be doing - is that we will be doing it in moderation.
Not too many people, or too loud a location. Maybe a few of our favorite foods, but certainly not a massive smorgasbord. And there's no way we're going to sit through all six hours of pre-game broadcast, plus the two-to-three hour game, thirty minute halftime concert, and who-knows-how-long post-game wrapup.
We may each have comfortable chairs, good friends, and good food - but a ridiculously long day of watching a bunch of blowhards filled with hot air babble about the upcoming event for hours on end, then watching the actual event, capped off by the same blowhards recapping the event we just saw, doesn't have the kind of appeal to our staff that it might for others.
After all, we've had to watch more than enough GOP Presidential Debates already this past year, thank you very much.
Enjoy the weekend - and may your favorite team win.
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