Going green…in my head

It seems the big thing these days is saving energy. We use compact fluorescent light bulbs. Wind turbines and solar panels are springing up everywhere (although more are needed). We recycle and compost and try to drive less because all of these things help save energy.

I’ve decided to go on another energy-saving kick in the coming months, a mental/emotional energy cutback if you will.

Let me ‘splain.

As a guy, last year was an amazing vicarious success for me. In order, the Pittsburgh Steelers, North Carolina Tar Heels and Pittsburgh Penguins all won their respective championships. A Lombardi Trophy, an NCAA Men’s Basketball Championship trophy and Lord Stanley’s Cup: Not a bad sports haul for one guy to cheer about in six months.

Hell, my teams won the same number of championships during the first six months of 2009 that all of the professional sports teams in Philly won during the last 26 years. Not too shabby. To twist the knife into Philly a little more, my teams have won more championships in the last five years (another Super Bowl and NCAA title) than Philly has since 1975.

But last Sunday, as I watched the Steelers stagger around Cincinnati’s Paul Brown Stadium only to lose a second game in two weeks in the last 15 seconds, I realized something. That something is rooting for a team takes a lot out of you. All the “Damn it! Why the Hell did they do that?” and “How the heck do the Super Bowl champs lose to the fuckin’ Bengals?” well, there’s an emotional toll to be paid and I’m tired of ponying up every weekend.

Since I’m not going to stop watching college hoops, and hockey really isn’t televised until the playoffs begin in April, something else’s gotta go. That something is going to be football.

Heinz Field: This is how it will look in the Black 'n Gold recesses

of my mind this year

.

Just like I cut a number of TV shows out of my life last year, I’ve decided that since the realities of professional football (salary cap, injuries, the Pats) militate against the Steelers repeating as Super Bowl champs in 2010. So I’m going to endeavor to be less emotionally involved with them this year.

It’s not that I’m not going to be a fan; it’s just that I’m not going to anxiously scan the TV listings to see if their games are on. I’m not going to religiously read the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette’s sports page every day.

Most importantly, I’m not going to get my panties all in a bunch if they lose. Also, since the Heels lost – through graduation or the leaving early – a goodly number of the players who beat the ever-living shit out of Michigan State last April, I’m pretty sure they’re not going to win either.

So I got that going for me.

For those of you wondering what effect this change of heart will have on the annual Gumbo Championship Party and its associate the Super Bowl Chili Party I can answer you in one word: Nothing. I enjoy gumbo/chili and football as much as the next guy.

The only question I have left is this: What do people do on Sunday afternoons in the fall?

Look Ma, no hands...

This photograph graced the virtual pages of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette today along with this article, part of the PG's ongoing and exhaustive coverage of the Steelers journey to Super Bowl XLIII. The article is about the insane lengths some Steelers fans go to profess their fealty.

My only question is this: Who the hell is flying the plane? (Yes, I know there's an autopilot, but let's ignore that fact for the sake of fun, OK?) Cause by my count, there's at least three pairs of hands not on the flight controls: the two guys in the F-15E and the guy taking the picture. Ahhh, the things we do for our teams.

A change for the better I say

Just saw this as I was cruising through the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. This is from a city news release: 

(PITTSBURGH) January 14, 2008 - Mayor Luke Ravenstahl announced today that he will be ceremonially changing his last name from RAVENStahl to "STEELERStahl" until the Steelers' game/victory on Sunday.

"On behalf of the Steelers Nation, I've decided to remove the word 'Ravens' from my name just like the Steelers will remove them from the AFC Championship," Steelerstahl said. "From now until Sunday, all references to my name will reflect Pittsburgh's love and support for our Steelers - and suggest a victory."

The last half of the Mayor's name – in a strange coincidence – references Pittsburgh's blue-collar heritage and the Steelers' Steel Curtain defense.

"The Mayor's surname 'stahl,' is of German origin and translates to 'steel' in English, making the name change even more appropriate," said John Lyon, associate professor for the Department of German Studies at the University of Pittsburgh.

The Mayor officially adopted the name "Steelerstahl" today at 11 a.m. at the Department of Court Records, located on the first floor of the City-County building.

The things we do for our sports teams. 

Go Steelers!!