Armchair Quarterback Trophy = Precious

In the run-up to Super Bowl XX-whatever (an event one is unable to ignore, even though I AM living in the tincan equivalent of 'under a rock' in the backyard of the New Orleans Saints' "Who Dat Nation"), this trophy is a very funny, very appropriate and wickedly satiric icon of the foolishness that passes for "fandom" in this country. I even agree with Dinosaurs & Robots guest blogger Greg Allen regarding starting to do some sit-ups ...

MEME: Monday Music Mambo – Musical Mayhem

Our mememeister, Rfduck, is either working on his fantasy football team roster or he got hit on the beak during a game of touch football. Either way, he's got the game on the brain...

“Ladies and gentleman, welcome to BDInsanity Bowl I. Today is Football Day! Hut-Hut-HUT!”

1. The quarterback is the most important player on a football team. He controls the action, and the responsibility for the team's success is on his shoulders. Which musician is your choice for musical QB?
Bob Dylan and Paul Simon both come to mind. They both know intuitively how they want the song to look, sound and feel for the audience – always. They're uncompromising and yet musicians would often willingly give their left foot (except drummers) for the right to perform for them.
2. What album scores a touchdown for you (i.e. it's just the best)?
Modern Times is doing it for me right now.
3. What song needs a game ejection?
There are simply too many to count. Fortunately, the marketplace is a great leveler in that regards – poor songs quickly sink to their appropriate level. Except rap and hip hop, which haven't an appropriate level to begin with...
4. Football is about intense, bone-crushing excitement. What song or artist gives you that same feeling?
Hmmm, “Sympathy For The Devil” does it for me -- your mileage may vary, of course...

Saturday Six - Episode 147

My best friend likes to quiz me each year on who's playing in the Super Bowl, or the World Series, or any other major sporting event. He knows that I'm not much of a sports fan. He might be surprised that I'd dedicate an edition of the Saturday Six to such an event.

But before we get to the questions, it's time to recognize Otowi of "Otowi," who was first to play last week. Congratulations! Also, I must thank Frida of "I Really Hate Blog Names," who was first to visit, and pointed out that I had inadvertently copied a wrong link from the previous week's edition.

Here are this week's "Saturday Six" questions. Either answer the questions in a comment here, or put the answers in an entry on your journal...but either way, leave a link to your journal so that everyone else can visit! To be counted as "first to play," you must be the first player to either answer the questions in a comment or to provide a complete link to the specific entry in your journal in which you answer the questions. A link to your journal in general cannot count. Enjoy!

1. Who's going to win the Super Bowl?
Illinois? New York Yankees? Beckham? I give up... who?
2. Have you been invited to any Super Bowl parties? (Or are you throwing your own?)
No.
3. If you were invited, would you go, even if you hate football?
No.
4. Have you ever thrown a party focused on a television program?
No.
5. If you were given free tickets to the Super Bowl, would you attend? Why or why not?
No – I really dislike crowds. Hell, I dislike most humans, period.
6. Do you worry about security at such an event? Would those worries prevent you from attending or in any way make you less likely to attend?

It's an issue, but security is an illusion, anyways. So, no, it wouldn't be a factor facilitating or obstructing my attendance.

John M. Scalzi's Weekend Assignment #150 (or, CL): Your First Super Bowl

Rumor has it there's some athletic event of national interest this weekend, although for the life of me I just can't remember what it might be called. Oh, wait, let me look at that banner I just stole from AOL Sports. That's right, the "Super Bowl." Well, I'm sure it will be very exciting for those folks who enjoy that obscure rugby derivative known as "Football," and to celebrate the occasion, I've decided to make this "Super Bowl" the subject of this week's Weekend Assignment: Weekend Assignment: Share your memories of the first Super Bowl game you remember seeing. Which is to say, the first one you had an actual interest in -- Super Bowls playing in the background while you faced away from the TV and read a book or something don't count. If you remember watching one but don't remember quite the year, here's a list of the Super Bowls to date to assist your memory (click on the particular game to a full description of the game). Those of you in Canada, the UK and elsewhere can substitute your own massively nationally important annual sporting event in the stead of the Super Bowl if, in fact, you have no Super Bowl memories. I mean, I'm sure there were some rockin' Grey Cup games. Extra credit: So, ever been to a Super Bowl game?

Dear John,

Let's dispense with the Extra Credit first. Nope, I've never been to a Super Bowl.

In fact, I've never watched a Super Bowl all the way through, to the best of my memory. Sometimes, I'll tune in for the commercials. Mostly, I read books, watch tapes/DVD's or muck about on the computer. Super Bowls really don't interest me. You see, I really don't care about football. I do recall that I kept the first New England Patriots game on the television in the other room, but I didn't watch more than ten or fifteen minutes of it. But truly, I can't recall having an interest in the games at all. Ever.

Sorry about that, Chief. This one is a non-starter for me. Take care of Krissy and Athena. I do hope you have a good “Super Sunday.”

wil