Day 18

Chicago is such a great city. Just an amazing place to live. Of the many great aspects of living here, one thing in particular is not lost on me. There are so many Clevelanders here. Since I moved here in 1999, I have gotten together with a group of Clevelanders to watch Browns games. Its like a slice of home. That fact doesn't take away from the reality of what we are watching - bad football week in and week out, year in and year out. When the NFL allowed that carpet-bagging sad excuse for a businessman Art Modell move the team to Baltimore, my passion for this team went with them. I have tried so hard to get into it. I rarely miss games, I read every article, I follow them closely. But watching bad, boring 13-10 losses every week is an old bit. I miss the days of Kevin Mack, Frank Minnefield, and "The Lord" Bernie Kosar. William Green, Daylon McCuteheon, and Trent Dilfer? Come on.

MD has been saying this for years, and I am really starting to agree. There is a lot of bad football being played out there today and it is all being disguised because of gambling and fantasy football. I am a big fantasy football guy. Take away my interest in my team, and I am stuck with bad Browns football. Currently while writing this blog, I have the Bears/Ravens game on in the background. Who finds this riveting? I am feeling a little late Sunday afternoon, Bobby D style-falling asleep on the couch routine coming on. I know what will help me fall asleep. The answer? This game.

Quick Food Fact: last night, Leah and I went to Settimana Cafe with Dave & Sara. By far, my favorite Italian dish in this city is there. The Penne Salsiccia. Penne pasta tossed with Italian sausage, green peas, fontina cheese, and fresh herbs sauteed in a light tomato cream sauce. Clearly I go sans the peas. This dish is the whup.

Quick Movie Fact: I watched Sideways on Friday night for the first time. It was amazing. I absolutely loved it. If you haven't seen it, its on HBO every day. Set that Tivo. It was so well-acted. Plus, it stars my guy Paul Giamatti. Thomas Hayden Church was sensational.

Song Of the Day: "Electric Relaxation" by A Tribe Called Quest.