Superbowl

One can survive anything these days, except death, and live down anything except a good reputation.
-- Oscar Wilde

Sunday, January 28, 2001
One year ago: FNP
Two years ago: Working Late
Three years ago: Sick Day

Jack made us a good breakfast -- eggs, bacon, and pancakes. He asked, "Are you going to leave soon?" I needed to leave relatively early to get to my nephew's birthday gathering, but I hadn't set a time. Turned out he needed to retire to the bathroom, and wanted to say goodbye before that. Well, I didn't want to inconvenience him, so I gave him a hug and a kiss, and hit the road.

I stopped at the new Mt. Vernon Costco. This new store sells gasoline, which is a novelty for Costco around here. I scanned the aisles for anything interesting, but made no purchases. The outlet mall that already existed there (I guess it's really Burlington, the other twin city in Skagit County) has the parking lot connected with the new store (smart of them, for once!) so I easily drove to the party goods store. I found, at good prices, a gift bag, a roll of wrapping paper, and two jars of goop -- one with googly eyes in it, and one espressly designed to make rude noises as you squish it around in the jar.

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I arrived home and wrapped gifts. At the same time, I watched National Geographic on the Mayans. I think I'd seen this one before, but it is interesting.

I drove over to my sister M----'s house. The big game was just starting. The superbowl had been why my nephew J---- had decided to have the "family" portion of his birthday (he's ten!) today, rather than on his real birthday tomorrow. My movie buddy A---- was already there. J---- (wife of my brother-in-law's bandmate Q----) arrived in her soccer gear; she plays on a team for adult women. I chatted with M---- about what's been happening lately, and how things are going.

My nephews and brother-in-law were rooting for Baltimore, A---- for the Giants (just to make it fun, I think -- he's not from New York or anything).

The half time show is one of the most significant things about the game to these boys -- n-sync does a mock battle with Aerosmith, then both, with guest stars, join in singing "Walk This way". But my nephew was mostly waiting to see "Nelly", the rapper who was part of this whole conglomeration.

Q---- arrived, and my sister went to pick up some Ezell's fried chicken. We feasted in front of the tiny set. M----- laughed; surely this is the smallest set that people actually gather in front of to watch the big game.

When the score was out of reach in the fourth quarter, J--- consented to turning off the game and having cake and ice cream. Once again we had German Chocolate cake.

My gifts were a big hit, especially the software Jack helped me pick. J--- started hip-hop dancing right there in the dining room! Plus the books and the goopy gel, which was popular with all of us. Fart humor just never gets old. He got a skateboard and helmet from his parents.

The we watched the Survivor premiere. M--- had already disallowed this, then J-- said yes, just this once. (Yes, he got quite a look shot at him for this failure to act as a team player.) The show was interesting as a one-time deal. I can see why it's a big hit, for the same reason I've been fascinated by MTV's the real world in the past. The interaction between people! But they force it here, with voting folks out of the tribe and many bogus "challenges".

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Once home, I got a phone call from Jack. He called to see how my day had gone, but mostly to share his difficulties getting revved up on C programming.