My Vikings - Packers Life

So, I moved to Texas a little over 3 years ago after living in the Twin Cities for 4 years working on a music degree.  I became a die-hard Vikings fan during those 4 years, previously having had no real team to root for after living in Iowa and Connecticut (states with no professional sports).  After arriving in Texas, I met another musician who likewise grew up in the Midwest and was a fan of the NFL.  I found myself a part of several professional music ensembles with this person and she has become a close colleague and friend who I work with on a weekly basis.  And it just so happens, she grew up in Wisconsin and is a die-hard Packer fan. 

The two of us have forged a heated, but friendly rivalry over the past 3 years.  But being in Texas, neither of us gets many opportunities to watch our teams live (I settle for illegal internet streams most weeks).  So, on those rare occasions when our teams are playing in prime time, we go all out.   And this week is extra special as both teams are playing each other on Monday Night Football.  Therefore, I will be spending this Monday night (as I have on many occasions, including during the Super Bowl last year) in her home.  It is always decked out with Packer plates, napkins, and glasses.  She has several Packer jerseys as well as a flag on the front porch.  She used to have a Brett Favre life-size card-board cut-out (but she burned it 2 years ago), and last year, her friends and family sent her official brats from Lambaeu Field for the Super Bowl.  Yeah…I ate one…just to see what it tasted like (not bad in case you were wondering).  She even has a cheesehead hat, and some foam cheese bricks.  It’s just really cheesy, but I put up with it.

I have always been polite at her Packer parties.  But, this week I have two secret weapons: an Adrian Peterson jersey (new for me this season), and our new baby girl, who will be decked out in a Vikings onesie and bib.  My wife will likewise be sporting a Vikings T-shirt, as we will be the lone supporters of the Minnesota Vikings in this household.  I am hoping and praying to the football gods that the Vikings can pull off the upset of the season, in Lambeau, on Monday Night Football, while I am in a Packer fan’s house.  I would like nothing more than to be able to gloat like it was 2009 again.  She was polite all of 2009 while I was riding the high of having Brett Favre lead our Vikings to the NFC Championship game, but she had the ultimate revenge with a Super Bowl win last year while Favre completely fell apart.  Well, it is OUR time again, and to say I will be disappointed if the Vikings lose this Monday night is an understatement.

SKOL VIKINGS!