Any of you that have read me over the last 3 years know that I'm a Green Bay Packer fan. Tried and true, I'm loyal to my team. Anyone that has known me for longer knows that I've been a Packer fan since the early 80's which is when I truly started watching football. Technically I can say I've been a Packer fan all my life as my father raised me one, but it wasn't until I was older that I started following football and actually caring about the team. Hell, that was back in the Lynn Dickey period where you could hear Packer fans exclaim after a loss, "You might beat the back, but you can't lick our Dickey". I remember watching him play, he had a great arm, but couldn't scramble to save his life.

Being a Packer fan to me is part of who I am. It's like being a Husband, father and re-enactor, I identify myself with it. I live it, I breath it and I love it. The heritage, the memories, the excitement and the disappointment. I remember watching the games with my father and learning new ways to curse with out it being an actual curse, such as my infamous "For the love of Pete!" and "Oh my heck!" My father had much better control over his tongue then I do.

After the domination of the NFC in the 90's there were a ton of Packers had a ton of "fans". People that swore they were true Packer fans and loyal to the team. Then a couple of years ago they started to disappear. Sure the Packers had a very bad losing season and then a mediocre 8 and 8 season. It's not a winning season, but it's not a losing season either. Either way, you didn't see as many people claiming to be Packer fans or wearing their Green Bay gear. In fact you started seeing some of these people wear the Blue and Orange of our arch rivals, the Chicago Bears.

Now the Packers are 3 and 0 on the season and the Bears are 1-2. Sure it's early into the season, but these bandwagon jumpers are already rearing their ugly heads. At work, at the store, on the radio I've heard and seen people who had been cheering on the Bears for the last couple of years raising a boisterous voice to the cheer, "GO PACK!" I was happy when these fair weather fans where cheering for other teams. It makes me sick to think I'm someplace talking with someone about the greatness of the Packers when just a year ago they were pulling for New England, the Colts, the Steelers or the Bears.

I just feel that it waters down the fan base and the opportunities for real fans. But I guess it's too much to ask them to pick a team and stick with them through thick and thin.

Posted by: Contagion at 05:35 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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What a great weekend! Ktreva and I left Rockford around 10:00AM Saturday Morning. We were to our hotel and out shopping in Green Bay by 2:00 PM. We found some new items for each of us. Ktreva was extremely happy as that she got a new ladies cut Jersey that JUST came out. It’s all sparkly and glittery in off colors and everyone was asking her were she got on game day. She loved the extra attention. It also got her some extra attention for the legendary Packalope. This man is in the NFL Hall of Fame as a fan, and has been on countless television specials, documentaries and sporting magazines as an “Ultimate Fan”.

Giving the Packalope some love.

Of course Ktreva wasnÂ’t the only one that got their picture taken. We were doing some pre-tailgating tailgating. Yes, I that is correct. As we were walking around what did I see, a giant walking inflatable bottle of Miller Lite with two of the Miller Girls in tow. They were handing out stuff and about for photo opportunities. Me being the dirty old man that I am couldnÂ’t pass up a chance to have my picture taken with the Giant inflatable bottle and the two slightly less attractive than my wife Miller Girls. Unfortunately the bottle did not find it amusing when I tried to pop his top for a frosty one. Later on they had the Miller Lite Ref girls walking around as part of the Beer League policing. Ktreva wouldnÂ’t let me get my picture with them though, something about me being a perv.

Trust me that smile is real.

We had club seats for the game, which were really nice. Cup holders, waitresses, private bathrooms, a special lounge, and VIP access. Well worth the price of admission. We sat around some of the best and nicest people we’ve met at a game. We made friends with the people around us and had a great time. There were some Charger fans sitting in the “commoner” section right below us that were really obnoxious. Of course once the game started going against them, they shut up. They also left with more than 2 minutes left on the clock. We met some really nice Charger fans, so I’m not saying all of them are obnoxious, but this group of 20 definitely was. To make matters worse, I think they were related to one of the players.

One of the guys were sitting with took a picture of Ktreva and I together. Between her Jersey and my necklace we were a hit. Oh, I forgot to tell you about the necklace! You have all seen the Packer Cheese wedges; well this year they have the “Wisconsin Lei”. It’s a lei made out of foam cheese and bratwursts. I saw it and had to buy one!

She couldnÂ’t keep her hands off of my meat.

Every year Green Bay has a specialty hat they sell for various charities and causes. A couple of years ago it was a pink hat for breast cancer, last year was a red hat for heart disease, this year it was a charcoal gray hat for the Military. They even had a wall were fans can sign a thank you to the troops. Of course I bought the hat and signed the wall, $5.00 of the hat goes toward charities that focus on veteran health, counseling and family support.

Me signing the wall after buying the hat on Saturday.

We had a great weekend. A lot of football (Packers beat the Chargers 31 to 24), we even had time to catch a couple of movies we wanted to see, ate at some great restaurants and just had some one on one time that we really needed to have.

Posted by: Contagion at 03:02 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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This weekend I'm actually taking Ktreva out of town on a romantic weekend for two. Saturday I'm going to take her shopping and on Sunday I have tickets to a very hard to get show. I know people that have been waiting years to get their hands on these tickets.

To learn more, see the extended entry. more...

Posted by: Contagion at 02:23 PM | Comments (2) | Add Comment
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Yesterday Tammi invited the family down to watch football with her and her Sunday Ticket. She even was going to cook stuff I could eat. How could I turn that down? The only thing that would have made it better is if we could have talked the ladies into wearing cheerleader outfits and serving us male folks, but hey I know that will NEVER happen. Unfortunately this was the first time Tammi, Harvey and TNT got to see me in football mode. Ktreva and the boys have seent his many times in the past.

There I am in her house in a nice quiet small community. Her windows were open so that the cool September air could keep us cool. She has a nice spread set out and there I sat on the Golden Throne with remote in hand. A glass of Glenmorangie 10 year in my other hand and IÂ’m talking in a normal and respectable manner (for me). Then it happens, a play, a big play. A play that involves either my team or a player I have on a fantasy team, and any ounce of respectability dies and my voice carries across the valley.

Such terms as:

“Run! Run you magnificent black man you!”

“For the love of Pete, just let Colston get a touchdown!”

“F@#$ Toomer!”

“Give the ball to Colston already!”

“Run faster, run like you stole it!”

“DAMMIT! That’s not Colston!”

“F@#$ Brees!”

“Eli, Archie doesn’t love you anymore. Peyton gets all of daddy’s love.”

“Is Colston even playing?!?!”

There were many more, but I just wanted to give you a sample. The best part was that since the windows were open my voice had to have carried out of the house and TammiÂ’s poor neighbors had to have heard most of them. I think I just took her fine respectable reputation down a couple of notches.

The sadest thing is that I was holding back.

Posted by: Contagion at 04:42 PM | Comments (6) | Add Comment
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1 Well, the good news is the Landlords - you do know I'm renting from the church, right? - anyway - no complaints as of today. So I think we're good.

And the neighborhood kids didn't even WALK on my part of the sidewalk.

So, it's pretty much all good. Come back anytime, you magnificant white man you......

Posted by: Tammi at September 17, 2007 05:13 PM (xYhVQ)

2 Yeah, it's good you held back. Don't want Tammi to get thrown out of her nice house. *grin*

Posted by: Teresa at September 17, 2007 07:29 PM (rVIv9)

3 Damn and I guess it's just common for me to hear this. Hell I stole some of your sayings!

Posted by: Bruce at September 17, 2007 08:05 PM (l5Qg2)

4 you can come watch football at my house anytime. I own it, and I'll compete with you for the Loudmouth award.

Sounds like me in this post instead of you. I knew there was a reason I liked you :-)

Posted by: caltechgirl at September 17, 2007 11:36 PM (IfXtw)

5 Sounds like you had a great time though!!

Posted by: Richmond at September 19, 2007 02:04 PM (Ppf6b)

6 Funny post and Tammi's comment is great. Holy crap..

Posted by: Bou at September 19, 2007 07:46 PM (fGpp7)

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After the first week of the NFL season I want to share some observations and opinions with everyone.

There were some really good games and some that were really one sided. The Packer game was a good close game that I thought was interesting to watch. It was a strong defensive game, the type I like. Plus the Packers won, which always makes it a good game. The Bears Vs Chargers game started off good, but turned bad in the second half when San Diego started running off with the game. I think it was due to the fact that the offense could not hold onto the ball and that the defense was getting worn down being hammered on by LT and Gates. However Grossman performed almost exactly how I thought he would against the Chargers. Now Bear fans take solace in this; itÂ’s only week one and the Chargers are a tough team.

What is up with the running backs this week? Other than Addai in Indianapolis, most of them put up dismal yardage. If they did put up over a hundred yards, they didnÂ’t score. ItÂ’s almost as if every team in the NFL decided to forgo the ground game and stick to the air. Is it because defenses are stacking against the ground? Maybe they are preparing for an onslaught of rushing all season and thatÂ’s how every team except New Orleans built their defense.

Speaking of sticking to the air, what the hell is up with all the QBÂ’s that got 4 or more touchdowns in one game? Brady, Romo, Rothlesberger, Eli and Peyton Manning. ThatÂ’s not even including the four QBs that are going to be playing tonight! Potentially there is a chance of adding a couple more names to that list. Usually if you get a QB that scores that many touch downs, itÂ’s only one maybe two a week. It is NOT five or more that sling the pigskin for the touchdowns.

IÂ’m wondering what is going to happen with the obviously horribly missed off sides against the Bears that wasnÂ’t called. It was clear that the BearÂ’s defensive tackle, Tommie Harris was off sides and possibly encroachment when he forced the goal line fumble of Philip Rivers. But none of the officials called it.

We have two more games tonight and then itÂ’s on to week two.

Posted by: Contagion at 04:56 PM | Comments (4) | Add Comment
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Pool sheets printed, Fantasy Teams rosters printed, stat books on the ready and tip sheets loaded. 10 pounds of meat, buns, condiments, snacks all ready to go. A couple of gallons of water chilling (Because I can't drink Beer!) Ktreva has hung her "We put this marriage on hold for Packer Season" sign up. It can only mean one thing.

IT'S OPENING WEEKEND FOR NFL FOOTBALL!!!!

Yea, I'm a little excited. I'm getting ready to head over to Bruce's house for a kick off Sunday party. I haven't been this excited since the Raptor's Season started last April.

Posted by: Contagion at 09:26 AM | Comments (1) | Add Comment
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