Voices of MainStreet: Scott Serene

A Game Within a Game
Jan. 21, 2011

Typically, we just stay at home for the Super Bowl.

We've gone places and had people over to the house before, but having a party, or even going to a party, gets treated like anything else--it has to involve and revolve around our kids.

You can't take kids somewhere and expect them to be satisfied for hours on end. I also don't think you can go to a party at someone else’s house and try to watch the game while minding your kids.

We stay at home because I'm a sports nut who wants to be able to watch them game and my kids. For me it's about the comforts of my own home, my own bathroom, my own food. Now, if we do happen to go somewhere, we will take food over (you can't go to someone’s house and not take anything), but going somewhere means you get home late then have to give kids baths and everything else.

For us, hosting a party is out of the question! Here's why: Years ago, my wife and I made some new friends, a couple and their little baby. So what did we do? Or what did the wife do, I should say? She invited the couple and the kid over for the game. Now, I am a friendly person and I will talk to anyone. But not during the Super Bowl! I was trying to sit and watch the game and this guy kept talking to me the whole game! And while he was talking to me, his son was going nuts all over the house, banging his head against the walls and floors. Later we found out he was drinking Dr. Pepper out of a sippy cup. Anyway, after that night, I told my wife never again.

We don’t go to any extra measures to watch the game . I can't afford to buy or rent a brand new TV, and even if my team was in the game, I wouldn’t go break the bank to have a wonderful set up. It's just one game. We do know people who have a huge get together with a big screen TV in the garage, a grill and the front yard loaded with people, however.

Going to a bar to watch the game is something I never have done and probably never will. You can't hear anything and it's just too crowded. You might get to experience it with a ton of fans and share the great time, but what if stuff gets out of control and you get caught in a bad situation? What then? It's so much easier and more relaxing to stay at home.

The highlight of the night is hopefully the game itself. I like the commercials too, but again, I am a sports fan. I just want to see the game!

If the commercials stink then all the time you spend waiting to see them just gives you a let down. Halftime shows are fun too if they're good. The past few years, they've stunk; they're trying to be too safe after the teeny tiny microscopic part of a breast was shown. The Black Eyed Peas, I am looking forward to seeing, though.

I guess we'll find out soon enough how this year's game turns out. Of course, if my team were in it, this would be an entirely different post.

—Scott is a dad of four who blogs about everything from being a daddy to his love for his wife and normal issues in his everyday life. You can check out ThisDaddysBlog.blogspot.com for more.