You know that feeling you get when you're working toward some big event -- your wedding, a play, a big fundraiser, a 1st birthday party -- and your whole life seems consumed with the task. Then it happens. And then it's over and you are just exhausted?
Yep. That's me today. Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis is one for the record books -- happily, with the right team in the W column, and I feel like I have been working out with the teams. I am beat.
It's been a week of emotional pride in my community; walking, walking; walking in Super Bowl Village; late nights to catch Jimmy Fallon and what new and wonderful things he might say about Indianapolis; Twitter and Facebook conversations to keep the energy moving; reading and watching and listening to report after report about the city and the upcoming game. And now it's over and I am worn out. I can't imagine what the people on the host committee must feel like now.
The kids have today off of school, courtesy of the Big Game, so I happily took off work to stay home, too. The prudent part of me knows this would be a great day to catch up on laundry, finally get the Christmas boxes back in the storage room (they're packed up, just waiting to be moved), and clean my bedroom. The indulgent part of me wants to move from this chair at the kitchen table and snuggle down under a blanket on the couch.
Having the Super Bowl in our city was a fun ride. I'm glad we got to experience it -- well, everyone except Robbie who doesn't do big crowds very well. I'm so proud of the way the city came together to put on an amazing show on a world stage. The way the television stations actually reported something other than what comes over the police scanner all day (not looking forward to returning to that). The accolades that came from media all over the country.
But right now, I'm glad for the quiet and for my blanket on the couch.
Showing posts with label Super Bowl XLVI. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Super Bowl XLVI. Show all posts
Monday, February 6, 2012
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Yes, Virginia, there is something more important than the Super Bowl
Today is February 5. Super Bowl Sunday. It's also the first Sunday of the month -- the day that Charlie is scheduled to be an altar server at the 6pm Mass. Super Bowl kick-off is at 6:30pm. Mass will get out around 7pm. Does anyone see the conflict here?
When I realized about two weeks ago that Charlie was scheduled to serve during the Super Bowl -- the one that is in our very own city -- I flew to the computer to send an e-mail to the list of servers' families.
"Wanted: Server sub who doesn't care about the Super Bowl."
I sent the message twice and got zero responses. I wasn't surprised, even though I had been holding on to a tiny sliver of hope that I'd get someone who didn't know the difference between a touchdown and a field goal and who didn't care.
Charlie tried to argue that Mass could go on just fine with only two servers, instead of the usual three. And while he is right, I told him "what if the other two servers thought the same thing?" So I was resigned to DVRing the Super Bowl, not listening to the radio in the car, staying off Facebook and watching the game on delay. Too bad this is one time you don't want to fast forward through the commercials.
Then, last night I received an e-mail from the server coordinator, asking if we'd found anyone willing to sub for Charlie at Mass tonight. I told her no, unless she knew of someone, we would be there.
She replied that she confirmed that the other two servers would indeed be there and they could probably handle Mass with just two servers if we couldn't make it.
Woohoo! Game on!
Until Mike had to open his big (and in this case, right) mouth. He pointed out that the issue is not that we can't make it -- we don't have tickets to the game, we don't have company coming over -- we just don't want to make it. By bailing on the 6pm Mass and Charlie's responsibility as an altar server, we would be sending him -- and the other kids -- a message that it's ok to shirk your responsibilities if something better comes along or if you simply don't feel like doing what you're supposed to.
So, Super Bowl XLVI is tonight. Kick-off is at 6:30pm, unless you're at our house, where kick-off will be slightly later and the first call is "Touchdown, Jesus."
When I realized about two weeks ago that Charlie was scheduled to serve during the Super Bowl -- the one that is in our very own city -- I flew to the computer to send an e-mail to the list of servers' families.
"Wanted: Server sub who doesn't care about the Super Bowl."
I sent the message twice and got zero responses. I wasn't surprised, even though I had been holding on to a tiny sliver of hope that I'd get someone who didn't know the difference between a touchdown and a field goal and who didn't care.
Charlie tried to argue that Mass could go on just fine with only two servers, instead of the usual three. And while he is right, I told him "what if the other two servers thought the same thing?" So I was resigned to DVRing the Super Bowl, not listening to the radio in the car, staying off Facebook and watching the game on delay. Too bad this is one time you don't want to fast forward through the commercials.
Then, last night I received an e-mail from the server coordinator, asking if we'd found anyone willing to sub for Charlie at Mass tonight. I told her no, unless she knew of someone, we would be there.
She replied that she confirmed that the other two servers would indeed be there and they could probably handle Mass with just two servers if we couldn't make it.
Woohoo! Game on!
Until Mike had to open his big (and in this case, right) mouth. He pointed out that the issue is not that we can't make it -- we don't have tickets to the game, we don't have company coming over -- we just don't want to make it. By bailing on the 6pm Mass and Charlie's responsibility as an altar server, we would be sending him -- and the other kids -- a message that it's ok to shirk your responsibilities if something better comes along or if you simply don't feel like doing what you're supposed to.
So, Super Bowl XLVI is tonight. Kick-off is at 6:30pm, unless you're at our house, where kick-off will be slightly later and the first call is "Touchdown, Jesus."
Friday, February 3, 2012
Party on (and win free food!) - GIVEAWAY UPDATE
The Super Bowl party is still rocking in Indianapolis! Yesterday, I took my Mom and Dad down to Super Bowl village to soak up some of the atmosphere. They had a blast. Check it out:
It is definitely "Party On" around here. And you can join in the fun!
Eversave Indianapolis is hosting a Big Game Bash party on Twitter at 1pm today. Follow #SuperEversaveIndy to join the fun to answer football and Indy-related trivia questions for the chance to win prizes. At 2pm, a grand prize winner will snag a $100 gift certificate to Penn Station East Coast Subs, which has locations in 14 states.
If you don't have a free Eversave account, you can get one here. It's one of my favorite daily deal sites.
If you don't have a Twitter account (and the previous information is Greek to you), don't fret. I'll be doing an Eversave giveaway right here on my blog today. Check back here or watch the 4th Frog Facebook page for more details. (If you do have a Twitter account, you can follow me at @4thFrog. Leave a comment below with your Twitter handle so I can be sure to follow you too.)
The Giveaway
You will be ever so fortunate to win this giveaway from Eversave Indianapolis -- especially because it's an internet deal and you don't have to live in Indy to win! One lucky 4th Frog reader will win 2 giant custom-message fortune cookies ($20 value). Shipping is on you and starts at $6.50. Eversave Indy gave me the same deal for hosting this giveaway. It might be a fun way to announce a vacation or something to the kids.
To enter, leave a comment here on the blog with a fortune you'd like to find in a fortune cookie.
For extra entries:
If you don't have confidence in your own good fortune and want to snag the Save for yourself, click here to buy the deal for $10.
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| The requisite pose in front of the iconic XLVI on Monument Circle |
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| As close as we'll get to the Lombardi Trophy this year |
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| Loving the mash-up of NFL with Indy Car |
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| My favorite Super Bowl XLVI image, I think |
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| An ad or a warning that Madonna is doing the halftime show? |
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| My mom said this was sacrilegious. I said I was just giving the Pontiff peace. I think he was at St. John's praying Madonna won't do anything embarrassing |
It is definitely "Party On" around here. And you can join in the fun!
Eversave Indianapolis is hosting a Big Game Bash party on Twitter at 1pm today. Follow #SuperEversaveIndy to join the fun to answer football and Indy-related trivia questions for the chance to win prizes. At 2pm, a grand prize winner will snag a $100 gift certificate to Penn Station East Coast Subs, which has locations in 14 states.
If you don't have a free Eversave account, you can get one here. It's one of my favorite daily deal sites.
If you don't have a Twitter account (and the previous information is Greek to you), don't fret. I'll be doing an Eversave giveaway right here on my blog today. Check back here or watch the 4th Frog Facebook page for more details. (If you do have a Twitter account, you can follow me at @4thFrog. Leave a comment below with your Twitter handle so I can be sure to follow you too.)
The Giveaway
You will be ever so fortunate to win this giveaway from Eversave Indianapolis -- especially because it's an internet deal and you don't have to live in Indy to win! One lucky 4th Frog reader will win 2 giant custom-message fortune cookies ($20 value). Shipping is on you and starts at $6.50. Eversave Indy gave me the same deal for hosting this giveaway. It might be a fun way to announce a vacation or something to the kids.
To enter, leave a comment here on the blog with a fortune you'd like to find in a fortune cookie.
For extra entries:
- Tweet: My fortune says I win with @4thFrog and @EversaveIND http://bit.ly/wFekft -- and leave a comment here saying you did.
- Facebook: Post this message on FB -- My fortune says I win with @4thFrog and @EversaveIND http://bit.ly/wFekft -- and leave a comment here, saying you did so.
If you don't have confidence in your own good fortune and want to snag the Save for yourself, click here to buy the deal for $10.
Monday, January 30, 2012
Indy, I give you a proud!
We have a saying in our house: "I give you a proud."
It goes back to Annie's First Communion. My in-laws were in town for the occasion and were getting ready to return home. My mother-in-law said to Annie "You were so pretty and you did such a good job. I'm really proud of you." Then she kissed Charlie and Robbie goodbye and went out the front door. Charlie ran after her, crying, "GoGo! You didn't give me a proud!"
Since then when someone does something good, we often say "I give you a proud for that." And today, I'm saying "Indianapolis, I give you a proud for the amazing celebration you've put together for Super Bowl XLVI."
Super Bowl Village opened here on Friday night. I watched posts and pictures pop up on Facebook and so wanted to be part of the party. On Saturday night, Annie and I went downtown with friends to soak up the super atmosphere.
We entered the village on the south side of Monument Circle, where the massive XLVI letters stand. (They were designed by a co-worker's son and installed by a crew led by her husband.) There was music and a light show and a general festive atmosphere. Through the weekend, 33 Indy cars decked out in NFL team colors and logos were lined up on Meridian Street. This week, they'll be sent out to locations throughout the city and beyond, though the Giants and P------- and the Super Bowl car will stay downtown. It was a great way to tie together what Indy is most famous for -- the Indianapolis 500 -- with Super Bowl XLVI.
There were super volunteers all over the place. You could tell who they were by their blue and white hand-knit scarves. The Super Scarf project netted 8,000 scarves all knit and donated by volunteers around the country. My friend Kathi's came from a woman in California. The note with it said "I made this is May, so when you're wearing it, think of the warm May weather in California."
Some of the volunteers were armed with iPads to answer any questions that might come up. Others were oh-so-hard to miss because they were sporting big ? flags on their backs. Somehow I missed the volunteer sign up opportunities. I really must pay more attention to the world around me.
There were ice sculptures made by some TLC show ice carvers, too.
I didn't even see it all. We turned off Georgia Street to get a bite to eat before we got to the zipline, so I want to go back to see that. We didn't stop in The Huddle at the old Nordstrom which is set up with bars and dance clubs and Super Bowl merchandise.
Remarkably, we saw very few drunk people and I didn't encounter anyone who was rude or difficult to deal with, although I'm sure they were there. As we walked through it all, I just couldn't help but be so proud of Indianapolis for putting on such an amazing show.
Mike and Charlie went on Sunday to the NFL Experience, which was pretty pricey to get in. They said it was crazy crowded, but Charlie got to participate in a football clinic put on by a Colts player and a Vikings player. He caught two touchdown passes. Not that I'm proud or anything!
The best part of the Super Bowl Village festivities was that it didn't feel like a celebration for just two teams. And it wasn't about the Colts (who are swirling in their own transitional drama right now). It was just a celebration for whomever wanted to celebrate. I'm sure as the week goes on and the East Coasters arrive, it will feel more about the Giants vs. the P-------. But for now, it's just plain old fun!
So, let me repeat: Indianapolis, I give you a PROUD
It goes back to Annie's First Communion. My in-laws were in town for the occasion and were getting ready to return home. My mother-in-law said to Annie "You were so pretty and you did such a good job. I'm really proud of you." Then she kissed Charlie and Robbie goodbye and went out the front door. Charlie ran after her, crying, "GoGo! You didn't give me a proud!"
Since then when someone does something good, we often say "I give you a proud for that." And today, I'm saying "Indianapolis, I give you a proud for the amazing celebration you've put together for Super Bowl XLVI."
Super Bowl Village opened here on Friday night. I watched posts and pictures pop up on Facebook and so wanted to be part of the party. On Saturday night, Annie and I went downtown with friends to soak up the super atmosphere.
We entered the village on the south side of Monument Circle, where the massive XLVI letters stand. (They were designed by a co-worker's son and installed by a crew led by her husband.) There was music and a light show and a general festive atmosphere. Through the weekend, 33 Indy cars decked out in NFL team colors and logos were lined up on Meridian Street. This week, they'll be sent out to locations throughout the city and beyond, though the Giants and P------- and the Super Bowl car will stay downtown. It was a great way to tie together what Indy is most famous for -- the Indianapolis 500 -- with Super Bowl XLVI.
 This awesome pic was taken by Jason Lavengood. Iconic! Click the photo to go to his website. |
We walked to Georgia Street which is block after block of celebration. Fire and Ice Lounges give people a place to grab something to drink and warm up. Free concert stages with local and national acts keep the music going all night long. Tonight the headliners are the Village People!
Food carts and trucks and local restaurants are ready to feed hungry fans. You could even walk up to get some famous St. Elmo's Steakhouse shrimp cocktail for $16 or a 50-piece platter of shrimp for $135!
Food carts and trucks and local restaurants are ready to feed hungry fans. You could even walk up to get some famous St. Elmo's Steakhouse shrimp cocktail for $16 or a 50-piece platter of shrimp for $135!
There were super volunteers all over the place. You could tell who they were by their blue and white hand-knit scarves. The Super Scarf project netted 8,000 scarves all knit and donated by volunteers around the country. My friend Kathi's came from a woman in California. The note with it said "I made this is May, so when you're wearing it, think of the warm May weather in California."
Some of the volunteers were armed with iPads to answer any questions that might come up. Others were oh-so-hard to miss because they were sporting big ? flags on their backs. Somehow I missed the volunteer sign up opportunities. I really must pay more attention to the world around me.
There were ice sculptures made by some TLC show ice carvers, too.
I didn't even see it all. We turned off Georgia Street to get a bite to eat before we got to the zipline, so I want to go back to see that. We didn't stop in The Huddle at the old Nordstrom which is set up with bars and dance clubs and Super Bowl merchandise.
Remarkably, we saw very few drunk people and I didn't encounter anyone who was rude or difficult to deal with, although I'm sure they were there. As we walked through it all, I just couldn't help but be so proud of Indianapolis for putting on such an amazing show.
Mike and Charlie went on Sunday to the NFL Experience, which was pretty pricey to get in. They said it was crazy crowded, but Charlie got to participate in a football clinic put on by a Colts player and a Vikings player. He caught two touchdown passes. Not that I'm proud or anything!
The best part of the Super Bowl Village festivities was that it didn't feel like a celebration for just two teams. And it wasn't about the Colts (who are swirling in their own transitional drama right now). It was just a celebration for whomever wanted to celebrate. I'm sure as the week goes on and the East Coasters arrive, it will feel more about the Giants vs. the P-------. But for now, it's just plain old fun!
So, let me repeat: Indianapolis, I give you a PROUD
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