Sitting in the bar solo. Listening to the wonderful ska sounds of Jimmy Cliff. The magic of barley and hops, pursing my lips, makes me long to become a drunkard. The music blaring, but not so loud it's obnoxious. The Bruins on television, with not many people in the bar to watch. Me and two other people are the few cheering them on. It's only 1:30 in the afternoon, so most people are probably recovering from the night before.
There are Cubs fans in the house, as they may be as loyal of fans as the Red Sox fans. Traveling to Boston to watched their beloved team play at Fenway for the first time since the 1918 World Series. Drinking and celebrating, as if their team hadn't lost the night prior by 10 runs. But the people from Chicago aren't bitter, like the people of Boston. They're not alcoholics, as much as they are professional drinkers. Most of their bars do not close at 1 or 2:00 AM, like those of Boston. They know that drinking isn't a race, because the bar is closing soon. Soon doesn't come until 4:00 AM for many of the Chicago bars.
Their great people to drink with. They don't care if their team won or lost. All they care about is having a good time. Discussing how they knew how it was to be a Red Sox fan, since their team hasn't won a Word Series since 1908. Until the Sox won it in 2004, and then again in 2007, Sox fans were miserable, while Cubs fans always said, "Next year is our year." Boston doesn't know Bartman, or the Curse of the Goat. They did have the Curse of the Bambino, and even tried to have a Big Papi jersey entombed in concrete at the new Yankee Stadium, bush league if you ask me. As the Cubs fans would never do anything to the Old Comiskey Park (they'd leave that to Bill Veeck, and Disco Demolition Night) or even the new US Cellular Field on the South Side of Chicago. They have a splendid attitude, to go with their ability to put away the drinks, and to eat with gusto.
They are truly the great sports fans, and professional drinkers of the major metropolis' across this great land. The city boasts a Stanley Cup and a World Series, in the 21st century. They've known multiple basketball titles from their beloved Bulls, but do not own one since MJ left. Their Bears lost a heart-breaker to Payton Manning and his Colts in the Super Bowl. But the city, like their beloved Cubs, are relentless in their pursuit of the good life. Good food, good drinks, and good conversation around it all. I'm happy to have met some of these fine folks this weekend. And wish them and their team nothing but good luck in the future. The one lesson I've learned from them is, I'm not a professional drinker or eater for that matter. I'm more of an observer, that drinks way to fast, knowing I have only until 2:00 AM to finish up whatever hoppy beverages I may be pouring down my gullet. I can learn a lesson or two from these fine folks, as can most of people. Manners, etiquette, and most of all, how to drink long, and slow, while eating a huge Porterhouse, or enjoying a nice bloody burger.
- JSN
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