In my best Grantland Rice. On a rain soaked gridiron under a dark and stormy Miami night, The Indianapolis Colts proved that they could win the big game, as they powered over the monsters of the midway in Super Bowl XLI. Payton Manning passed his team to their first Super Bowl victory since they slipped out of Baltimore in the dark of night. The Bears, a seven point underdog electrified the game with the first opening kickoff return for a touchdown in Superbowl history. They should have quit when they were ahead. Although the Colts gave the Bears every chance they could, a missed extra point ( Tony Romo screaming at his TV, "Who's laughing now, Huh, who's laughing now!!") and the Super Bowl hero place kicker Adam Vinatieri missing a chip shot field goal. Max Grossman could do no right for the bears. A fumbled snap here a slip there, and his passing; Grossman's passes had more hang time then the Bears punts. This game had a great first quarter but slowly turned into a mismatch. Early in the third quarter the outcome was set and only the change of scores for football pools held any excitement. How many people lost money on Vinateiri's missed shot at the end of the first half?

As for the party ( Pete claims it to be the 27th ) we have moved up in class. Uncle Mike has finished off his basement into a charming family room complete with a 52" HDTV. Mike picked up the wins for the first two quarters of the game and a few nickles in the poker game. I guess Katie will be getting a Valentines gift after all. A statement that brought jeers from his Aunt and cousin.

Mike getting advice from Uncle John, " I'd stay, but that's why I'm Mr. Vegas"

A camera and pretty girls. Did anyone think a Curran would not be having his picture taken.

The other part of Super Bowl games, the TV ads. At a couple of Million per thirty seconds, the ads during the Super Bowl get as much talk as the game itself. As usual, the Bud ads were great. My favorite was the rock, paper, scissors. Followed by the wedding auction. Sierra Mist wasted money that they could just as easily sent to me.

Good news, pitchers and catchers start in two weeks and it's only 40 days till St. Patty's.