So with sports on the brain, tonight's column will focus on the NFL playoffs, and Sunday's tilt between the Seahawks and Bears, the next chapter between two teams from cities I have a personal connection to. For the non sports fan (aka my girlfriend), I'll try to sprinkle in a few non-sports topics from time to time.
Lucky for me, I come from a family where my father and his two brothers were passionate about their Chicago sports. This left a notable impression on all of the Whiskey males (and probably the females as well), and also access to tickets for great sporting events. And this Sunday, my cousin and I will attend the Bears-Seahawks playoff game. Like me, my cousin explored the country a bit during his twenties, and is now back in Chicago; with part of his travels taking him to Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. But no matter where he and I lived during our 20's, Chicago sports always stayed on the brain. And while I can't speak for him, it wasn't easy living out in Seattle, away from such an integral part of my life. Occasionally a Chicago sports team would visit Seattle, which was always a treat, but I missed the collective interest in the teams near and dear to my heart.
I'm pausing the column to interview my girlfriend, whose house I am at while I write. Her day has been long, and she's offered her remaining energy to conduct a long-anticipated, exclusive interview on the Adventures of Delta Whiskey. Her dog Shaney (aka Sha Nay Nay) is alongside as we dig into the most intimate details of her life.
Delta: We have been dating for roughly 13 months, and our dogs have known each other the entire time. How would say the relationship between Shaney and Annie has gone?
Romeo: Rocky, at best. At least they haven't killed each other.
Delta: I see. Well, from my perspective Shaney has been gracious with sharing her home with Annie and her bed with me. Thanks for such a deep response!
Delta: Looking back over the past year, tell me three days that stood out to you. You'll get extra credit for telling me why.
Romeo: Monday, Thursday and Saturday. Kidding ok...
1) Our entire first date - December 23, 2010. You picked me up, you told me everything about Delta Whiskey, the good, the bad, the ugly...and I thought you were cute. Very cute. Even during the ugly. But the best part of that night was the drop off. The awkward lean in from you, and my awkward reaction which was to say "that was awkward". Awkward is good. It makes for good stories. That's why. (extra credit 1)
2) Go go Galena. Our trip to western(?) illinois - a quaint little, but very pretty town called Galena. Our first trip together. We hiked and talked and got lost and eventually had to call the hotel to come pick us up. Conversation was obviously captivating. That's why (extra credit 2)
3) Roasting marshmallows on that same trip. It was genius until the wood was all gone and I was eating marshmallows and graham crackers, cold, with sticky black hands. I think we both ate too many. But I just remember looking up at you, you looking at me, marshmallow all over my face and laughing...
4) oh wait, one more from that same trip - impromptu gym class (by the way, I think this all happened in 1 day) on the floor of our townhouse. it stood out because it was so ridiculously random, but grrrreat. that' why (extra credit 3)
Delta: Very cute, I'm concerned we're getting too far away from my core demographic (all 19 followers), so I'd like to ask you a few questions about sports. What is your prediction for Sunday's game between the Bears and Seahawks? Who do you think is going to be the 'difference maker'?
Romeo: Player or Team? Well, I'll just go with Team, because I don't know any players beyond Devin Hester and Jay Cutler. Julius Peppers! I do love that name! Ok, the Bears.
Delta: Phew. Now I feel a little more at-ease knowing the bears are in good hands.
Romeo: Actually, if I can interject for a second - I think the bigger question is who's NOT going to be the 'difference maker' - and I can tell you who will make no difference, at all, the Patriots. Are they even in the playoffs?
Delta: Yes, they are. I'm getting hungry. When is dinner coming?
Romeo: I say in 10.7 minutes. Best guess.
Delta: Great story. Compelling and rich. OK, back to more serious questions. You work in a world where coming up with clever ideas is part of your day to day life. I could use some ideas from you--how do I appeal to a broader audience on my blog?
Romeo: Good question. Off the top of my severely drained head:
1) Focus only on sports. Or don't. Pick one then go hard at it.
2) If you don't focus only on sports - then make your blog about something - make it have some sort of rhyme, reason or mission. Or have it be about nothing, like seinfeld, but that was about something.
3) Ask your friends to read your stuff.
4) Consider writing about celebrity gossip. (e.g., "hey, did you hear that Jake broke up with Taylor...heartbreaking!")
5) Branding branding branding. Get a logo. Some pretty pictures and then watch the followers pile up.
Delta: Good food for thought, as usual. What did you hear on my ipod that surprised you most?
Romeo: Classical music. I wasn't expecting it, nor do I really like it, but you seemed to really like it when I asked you about it. And I thought that was cool. Because it kind of represents you in a larger sense - unexpected, diverse and open minded. and funny too, but classical music isn't funny.
Delta: Not funny at all. Not funny. Its almost time for dinner. I'm soooo hungry. What are 2 things you'd like to accomplish this weekend?
Romeo:
1) Workout. It's necessary, but likely won't happen
2) Get some work done so I don't lose it next week.
3) Be with Delta and Annie and Sha nay noonie
Delta: I think you could get all 3 of those done, but I too feel like there isn't enough time in my world as well. Sometimes you just get done what you can, and make sure to smile along the way.
Delta: If I told you I could book 3 musical acts at a venue of your choice in Chicago for tomorrow night, who would you have me book, and where would you want to see them?
Romeo:
1)
2)
Headliner:
Venue: Let's make tomorrow the middle of July and say Ravinia meets Charter One Pavilion - because you can dance at Charter One and then laze on a blanket and eat cheddar fries from michael's
I'll leave the music to you...because you have better answers to that - however, one request I would like to make - I'd like some funk. I'd like to dance.
So delta, pls answer your own question...
Delta:
1) Trombone Shorty (if you like funk, you can't miss them...we'll see them soon, you can dance then)
2) I'd like to see someone I've never seen--the Black Keys seem like they'd put on a fun show.
Headliner: Metallica (just because everyone should see them)
Venue: I like the Vic, although it'd be really friggin' loud in there
Delta: OK dinner is here and my column isn't what I thought it would be. My playoff picks are below:
New England 33 Jets 24
Baltimore 12 Pitt 10
Green Bay 23 Atlanta 21
Bears x Seahawks x
I'm not dumb enough to predict anything one way or another, but I will say this: the bears probably should win, but they're the least predictable team I've ever seen. And something tells me the Seahawks aren't as bad as their record indicates. It'll be close either way...
