Let's get the complaint out of the way first: I'm sick. And in college, that sucks. Sadly I can't "stay home" or sleep for twenty hours once I'm done with classes at 2:30pm. No, instead I have to brave the cold and my full-day's schedule, but this does not mean that I wouldn't rather choose this regardless. While I might not be able to pay attention in lecture as well as I could in perfect health, I'd much rather make the attempt than sit in my dorm room. It's likely that Mettler student cell 103 is what incubated my bug anyway.
However, I do have some knowledge to share as a result of my sickness, and that is certainly worthwhile. I'm unsure of how other health centers work, but Hertado health center requires an appointment for any visit to a physician. Be aware, if you feel you may be coming down with something, make an appointment before you are sure you came down with something.
And now on to what I really wanted to talk about: football. For anyone who even remotely follows college sports, you know of (and likely–-at least in part--watched) a certain one-versus-two BCS matchup this past weekend. The person who watched the game may have mixed feelings about it, but there is one thing that undeniably can be said about it: the hype building up to the final showdown was immense. To make a geeky comparison (though its not too much of a stretch to believe the reader who's taken interest thus far will follow this as well) the fervor over this math-up was equivalent to a group of guys talking about the next Call of Duty or the next Halo. The fan bases for both LSU and Alabama are incredibly dedicated and absolutely nuts to and for their teams. What's more, the national community caught their excitement as well, as though mosquitos from the bayous of both states, carrying purple and gold and crimson and white blood in their abdomens, spread throughout the continental United States and infected everyone, especially those with a TV set.
Now think about the students you went with to last Rutgers game. And all the Rutgers alumni you know. And anyone you know who regularly follows Rutgers football. While you might not be able to come up with 360 million names (give or take), you could name a fair amount. Again, while the individual who come to mind might not be costume wearing, megaphone touting, never-throw-away-my-lucky-jockstrap fans, I'm sure they are still quite loyal and enthusiastic about Rutgers football. To a certain extent this is kind of reflective of the professional football cultures that have evolved in the separate areas of the United States. Giants fans are typically more reserved and especially loyal, and--even further north--Patriots fans are practically standing monuments to their team. Saints fans inject party-crazy attitudes into their football, and the Cowboys are known as America's team.
It may be my physical state of being saying this, but perhaps these attitudes are a product of each areas climate. Is it any wonder Bill Bellichick hardly ever smiles when he practically coaches in Nova Scotia? Or that Sean Payton (despite currently having a broken leg) has a creative, aggressive, perhaps "mad-hatter" style of coaching?
Who knows. I'm just happy I had some great games to watch this weekend while I was under the weather.
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