I hate getting out of bed and realizing that the noon college football games have already started before I have had coffee. And let me tell you, having your first cup of coffee after you have had your first beer is disturbing on a number of levels. Just trust me on this.
There is no getting out of bed and leisurely rolling into Saturday ESPN Gameday. If you have any social life, you have to set an alarm out here to make sure that don't miss Lee Corso donning the ridiculous costume of some team that he is picking that week or to make sure you see some of the great signs in the crowd.
This morning, I did set an alarm so that I wouldn't miss my favorite Sunday morning show -- The Sports Reporters. All I want on Sunday mornings is a little time to have some coffee, a breakfast sandwich and - on this morning - some banter about Charlie Weiss losing his job and some jokes about Plaxico Burress shooting himself in the leg...I fell back asleep shortly after the intro to the show.
Now? Now, I am just disoriented. I am in the 3rd quarter of the Giants - Redskins game and it isn't even afternoon yet. How in the hell do people drink out here?
Look, I understand the west coast philosophy that games are over at a reasonable time and that you can enjoy the rest of your evening. Or that it is just to hard to watch late games on the east coast and be functional the next day.
You know what? I am calling bullshit!
Why? Because I am never cranky the next day when I have stayed up til 2:00 am to watch a great game.
Tired? Sure.
Hungover? Probably.
But never cranky.
I am cranky like wife with PMS right now, because I missed my favorite show and was still drinking coffee at kick-off of the first games. Maybe I meant that I am cranky like Our Patron Saint sans strippers to rain on...who knows.
These are scars that may never heal. I can't wait to get back to the cold, dreary, crowded, crime-ridden northeast corridor. Yeah, home sweet home.
