Super Bowl Party

I'm a huge football fan. I've looked forward to the Super Bowl all year--finally, last night it was here.

Since we're 8 hours ahead of Central Time, the kickoff time for us here in Bahrain was after 2 AM. Our cable company also does not have the rights to show live programs from certain channels, so we had to go to the Navy Base to watch it. They were having a party there sponsored by MWR. We decided to show up around midnight, but the party had actually begun at 8 PM.

Theresa came and stayed overnight so we could enjoy the game while the children slept. Last year, the party was indoors, but this year (for whatever reason) they decided to have the party outdoors. It was semi-fun and semi-annoying because it was cold enough that we all needed heavy coats, hats and blankets. In some ways it was nice because it was almost like being at a real game!

Since we arrived fashionably late (but still 2 hours before kickoff), there were already many drunk sailors by midnight. They were already rowdy and ready for the game. We watched the pre-game show bundled under a blanket. Some of Shawn's co-workers joined us around kickoff. I was outnumbered--in our little group, most were going for the Patriots. Even my husband! But one other guy and I were going for the Giants. We weren't alone as far as everyone else went. It seemed that Giants fans far outnumbered Patriots fans.

Right before kickoff, about a dozen very drunk guys sat right in front of us. It really started to feel like a real game then! After kickoff, practically every play they were jumping up, cheering, shouting and generally carrying on. Some Patriots fans heckled them and there were some interesting drunken exchanges of words between the two sides.

As the evening wore on, people began to disappear. Both sleep and alcohol reduced the numbers considerably. Inside the NEX complex, lots of sailors either passed out or fell asleep on the floor or on chairs. After half time, our peanut gallery did not return, so we had a much better view of the game.

The Giants managed it and I think Shawn was really disappointed. But I was ecstatic and so were all the Giants fans who still remained (a lot more than Patriots fans still left standing). After the game wrapped up, it was starting to get light. We went home for a few hours of sleep and then back to the grind......

One thing that is not very fun about this atmosphere is that due to its non-profit status, the AFN (Armed Forces Network) that broadcasts the Super Bowl on military bases cannot broadcast the Super Bowl commercials! So for the second year in a row, I've missed all the commercials. In their stead, they show military propoganda and information about resources for military personnel. Sigh....next year...

ALTHOUGH, I heard one sports writer say that this year people might be talking about the GAME instead of the commercials! Isn't that the way it should always be???