The New England Patriots Deserve My Full Attention

As the Super Bowl approaches I find myself in the same dilemma as every year. Where to go? Whom to watch it with? What to eat?

I've been lucky in that as a life-long Pats fan I've been enjoying the fruits of their labors this past decade. (And I remember being pissed off as a kid when home games weren't on TV cause the game wasn't sold out so I REALLY appreciate this team.) So naturally as the team goes for the impossible - the undefeated season plus championship - I feel torn. Do I go to a party where everyone is spouting their opinions or discussing the merits of onion dip over salsa or recounting how in 1985 they remember watching the Pats get whooped by the Bears and this will more than make up for that? Do I bring my kids into a lion's den of other kids who will distract them from the monumental once in a lifetime experience of watching this team (hopefully) complete the impossible task before them?

I decided (I should say we decided, since Laurie and I struggled together on this one) that for posterity's sake and sanity's sake and for the ability to completely immerse myself in the game with minimal distractions that staying home, alone, family only, would be the only way to go.

So now all I have to think about is what snacks will be served. My parents always ordered Chinese food for Super Sunday. Option. But recently we had a smorgasbord of 'pub' type of food on a random Saturday afternoon and the kids got a huge kick out of it. So we're doing that again. Stuff like french fries, little pizzas, shrimp cocktail. (Maybe some chili - Laurie made an awesome chili this past weekend - very nice.) I want to get more creative so I'll be pondering this this week. I'll post the menu when I decide what it is.

Until then, Go Pats!