Is this really happening

I started out this morning like I would any other - grab my blackberry, check twitter, check emails, brush teeth, hair and get dressed. Nothing going on so I proceed with business as usual. I hear the text message notification on my phone. Oh no Breaking News! Not just any news but Saints news! Before I even open the message I know it's not going to be good. I proceed with caution and open the message and there it is in digital black & white. Sean Payton suspended for a year, Mickey Loomis for 8 games and the worst is not over because the players involved haven't been penalized.

I know this may seem a bit dramatic but it's the God's honest truth. My heart started beating extremely fast and I thought I was going to pass out. To say I'm obsessed with the New Orleans Saints is an understatement. That is my hometown team and I adore them. I cheered for them when they lose and I cheer for them when they win (preferring the latter to the former of course). I am still in shock and have yet to read the full report but I'm sure that will be my bedtime reading instead of the usual novel.

I know that Commissioner Goodell has vowed to put player safety above everything else but that in itself is a joke. Football is one of the most brutal contact sports there is. Grown men are played to rough each other up and he heads the league so if player safety is his main concern why would he be working in the NFL at all?  The Saints bounty scandal didn't shock or surprise me in fact I thought it was a great idea. In nearly every field of employment performance is incentivized and I don't think sports is any different. Players who perform well on the field receive the best contracts, largest endorsements, etc. Why are sack stats kept and records given out if safety is paramount? Because it's not. Roger Goodell is a fucking joke!

The solution he proposes it to have teams certify in writing they are not running bounties? Get the fuck outta here! You are going to let offenders police themselves?! It makes no sense. I understand they need to make and example but I'm sure the Saints aren't the only team that had a bounty in place and other players on other teams have indicated this as well.

I guess I'm just so emotionally connected to New Orleans and the Saints that I feel strongly about this but I just can't wrap my head around how severe this punishment seems for a an offense - and I use that term loosely -  that is seemingly happening throughout the league. The league should set and example instead of making one out of the Saints.

That's all I have to say for now. I need a Valium!

Heartbreak as the New Orleans Saints Season Ends

It’s been nearly 24 hours and I’m only now able to mutter the words that are the title of this post. My beloved Saints ended their season with a dramatic last seconds loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Win or lose I proclaim my love for the Saints.

Yesterday’s loss was met with disbelief and tears. Yes. Tears.  I cried like a baby when Vernon Davis caught the game winning TD.  My phone rang immediately. My cousin in Louisiana was on the phone in tears as well. She said she didn't want to leave her house. I didn't leave mine, still havent.

With a family from New Orleans, it is only natural that I’m a Saints fan. The unnatural part about it?  How I turn into a completely different person during the games. I’m a carefree person…usually. During a Saints game I a yelling, screaming, jumping MANIAC. Win or lose I’m going crazy. I’m screaming at the top of my lungs and proclaiming the Saints the greatest team on turf.  I cheered for the Saints when they were losing for years and I cheer when they win. I prefer the latter to the former however. 

I woke up super early yesterday and got dressed in my black and gold. I’ve worn the same t-shirt on game day for the past 3 seasons.  It’s faded but feels so comfortable that I feel strange when a game is on and I’m not wearing it.  All this rambling is basically just therapy and is helping me cope with the fact that my beloved black and gold clad Saints post season hopes of another Super Bowl are over.

All hope is not lost, there’s always next season. I know this but it still feels weird. For months my Sunday’s (and occasional Monday nights) are spent watching Saints football that I don’t know what to do with myself once the season ends.

I woke up at about 4am and just began crying. Well at least the Golden Globes are tonight and the only thing outside of my family that can compare to Saints football is red carpet couture.

'Til next  time or as far as the Saints are concerned….'til next season

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!
This year I resolved (again) to update this space more often. It was initially going to be dedicated to my loe of shoes but that just seems so boring to me. I still love shoes but I thought it might be a bore to people coming across this page. Anyhow, I expect this to be a productive year which means I'll have more to share with the people who come across this page.

Anyhow, that's it for now.