I feel like I'm missing out.
So, the Cubs are doing well...or so I hear/read on a daily if not hourly basis. (Sidenote: I'm not a sports-follower in the least, nor do I pretend to be, so bear with me here.) I do know, however, that the Cubs are very close to being in the Playoffs, right? I think that's accurate. So are the Sox. OK, so far so good...
So, my Lakeview neighborhood is pretty much intermixed with the Wrigleyville neighborhood. Wrigley Field is just two blocks west of where I live. And, I can actually see down into Wrigley Field from my 32nd story condo. It's an impressive sight. So, in some respect, I feel like I'm regionally (aside from living in Chicago) a part of Cub-mania, and that perhaps, just perhaps, I should be a little bit more excited about all of this endless hoopla mania people seem to be experiencing?
To be honest though, I'm not excited about anything Cubs-related in the slightest bit. Like...not the slightest. Really, all the Cubs mean to me is increased traffic, increased litter, and daytime drunken strangers asking me which direction to go on the Redline or they simply just point at me and shout "WOOOOOOOOO, go Cubs" and then continue on their staggered way. I never "woo" back. I either smile and nod or pretend that I can see through them. At any rate, none of these Cubs-related aspects impress me, thrill me, or make me want to endure more. I often ask when is the season over with alreadyyyy? I'm an annoying baby like that, yes.
But, here's the thing, a very small part of me wants to join in the celebration. I mean, I love hot dogs, I love beer, and I love drinking beer while eating hot dogs (not simultaneously, I guess). Uh, perfect, right? That has baseball/Americana/sports appreciation written allllll over it. Plus, I guess I'm mildly humbled by the sheer happiness that people have/emit for the Cubs. With the world the way it is, I'm glad people still find the time to chill out and enjoy themselves. It must be a great feeling to just be doing what you like to do in the company of others who feel the same.
I get that.
So, I'm going to try to be happy for the Cubs. More importantly I'm going to try to understand the Cubs. I'll read the newspaper articles and perhaps I'll even bring them up in conversation to see what I can learn. Though I've never once in my entire life ever said the words, "So, how about those Cubs?"...Ever. But why would I? Like I said, I really have zero idea what's happening with the Cubs other than the fact that they're doing good which, from what I understand, apparently isn't the norm. BUT, a general lack of knowledge or insight has never stopped me from openly talking about other subjects I have absolutely no idea about. I mean, I can talk some serious shizz about stuff I know very little about, if anything, and often get away with it perfectly fine. I do it all the time. No biggie.
Which leads me to this, and I can't believe I'm going to say it, but... Go, Cubs, go. Wait, wait...I can do better. Go, Cubs, go!
Yeah, that's the ticket.
P.S. I've actually been to Wrigley Field (on a stadium tour) and was allowed to go into the locker rooms, announcer booth, the Cubs dugout, and even on the Field itself. I have proof, too. I took some pictures with my iPhone that I'll post later.
Geez Louise before you know it I'll have my very own ESPN blog. All sports all the time. Just wait.
(OK, actually, don't wait for that.)
