We rule

I didn't even mention about the Patriots going to the Superbowl again this year! They bulldozed the Colts and the Steelers, paralyzing the two best QBs in the NFL, and will do the same to the Eagles next Sunday. Of course, we've always known that Boston kicks ass, and don't need world championships to validate it, but it is still exciting. The buzz, the camaraderie, the emotional roller coaster. It's very weird, the psychology of winning and losing, and the value we place on a bunch of guys who happen to wear the colors of the organization that pays them the most.

I hope the Superbowl is close this year. It probably won't be because Philly is so ridiculously outmatched, but the best thing about football is the strategy. I used to think it was the violence, but watching a guy stomp on an opponent's throat is not as exciting as seeing a brilliant fake, a zig-zag run, or a successful block.

Watching the Sox this year is going to be interesting. Opening day against the Yankees and the ring ceremony will be a mixed bag: I'll feel pride, obviously, but there's going to be a lot of sore winners in the crowd and I'm not looking forward to that. Thanks a lot, new schedule designers, you are some clever, clever bitches. After that they'll probably have a typical season--solid until the break, choke in August, rally in September--and we'll be critical of their play and of their salaries as usual. Except now we'll have a pretty new banner hanging on Yawkey Way, and we will always be properly thankful for it.