My nutbag friends

I've said it before, I'm no sports aficionado. I don't know my two point conversion from my seventh inning stretch. But with the final game of the NFL playoffs today (yeah yeah, go Steelers) I find myself sucked into the plans two of my buddies have to spread money, love and sporting insanity across Route 80 for approximately 450 miles.

To protect their identities, I will refer to these friends of mine as Nutbag#1 and Nutbag#2. Living in Connecticut, the two of them decided this year to splurge on season tickets to the Buffalo Bills (approximately 400 miles away) in an effort to get on the elite list of folks who get to spend oodles of money on Playoff tickets. It seems their plans worked out for them, and they are currently driving west en route to Heinz Field in Pittsburgh for the Steelers/Ravens game this evening.

I have no idea how much season tickets to the Bills cost, but let's imagine for a moment that they are $500 each. So that's $500, plus $200 each for tickets to today's game. Plus $150 for parking (they decided to go for the gusto and get a parking pass in Gold Lot #1 next to the stadium entrance). Plus perhaps $250 worth of provisions for tailgating. Plus gas money to drive 0ver 900 miles in the next 48 hours. Plus the hotel room (unless they decide to crash at our house).

Now, let's add to this the fact that Pittsburgh had 6 inches of snow last night, and the snowstorm is currently headed east, across route 80. In other words, they are driving straight into it. I should have created a gambling pool to wager on whether or not they make it here for game time....if they make it here at all.

So how am I sucked in? Well, first they had me comunicate with friends and coworkers to find out about an active tailgate game. Then they had me meet up with some guy in an alley in downtown Pittsburgh yesterday, to slip $150 out of the window of my car in return for a gold slip of paper allowing my friends the privilege of parking their car (I believe I've made it to the FBI's watch list for that one). And of course, I am to meet them somewhere downtown to help them navigate their way around Heinz Field when they get here (like I know).

So all you Pittsburghers who are firmly solidified in the nuttiness that is Steelers fanaticism, rest assured you are not alone. Oh look, it's snowing again.