When I met Brandon in 2001, I was unfamiliar with Cubs fans. I mean, I knew they existed, because the Cubs are a baseball team from Chicago, so surely, there would be people that enjoy watching them play. What I was introduced to 16 years ago was something different.
Brandon is a Cubs fan in the same way that I am a fan of breathing oxygen. It’s not a fandom that came from enjoying the team, it’s a fandom that is baked into his genes.
Over the years, I’ve gone to Wrigley Field to watch the Cubs. I watched Bartman knock the ball away from Moises. I’ve been to opening day here in Colorado with Brandon wearing his full Cubs regalia. It’s awkward as hell. I’ve been to his house many times and I’ve seen his extensive collection of Cubs beer glasses. I’ve watched him partake in his weird rituals (a cocktail every inning is just one of many).
Over the past year he’s made multiple trips to Chicago to visit his extended family, watch Cubs games with them, and even attend a few. Last night the Cubs won the World Series for the fist time since 1908. I’m super stoked for Brandon and for the Cubbies, but I’ve also seen Brandon watch a lot of games, so I’m happy I wasn’t around him last night.
You see, if you’re a Cabs fan like Brandon, you also have a lot of emotion and opinions about how people should play and what the team should do. Brandon freely admits he can’t watch games in bars because he would offend the entire establishment. Even last night as I watched the Indians tie the game 6-6, I was thinking about the brain aneurysm Brandon was experiencing.
So, I’m happy for him and the Cubs that they won, but I’m also happy that I chose to go to a concert instead of listening to Brandon scream at a television for 4 hours.
Instead of the Game
Hiss Golden Messenger played last night at the Bluebird Theatre here in Denver. The show was great for many reasons:
- The Music – As Sturgill Simpson and Jason Isbell experience their own career highs, I am willing to bet that Hiss Golden Messenger will be huge in the next year or so. They have a great country/folk sound. Their lead singer is a lanky, goofy looking dude that has good crowd banter between songs. Their keyboard dude also take turns ripping on guitar. It’s a good time.
- The Venue – I’ve been going to the Bluebird for almost 20 years now. It used to be much shittier. These days, it’s one of the best places to go to a show. It’s small enough to feel intimate, and large enough to hold a few hundred people without it feeling cavernous. Another bonus was the music wasn’t too loud. I could actually have a conversation with my friends DURING the set. So that’s nice.
- The Drinks – I like a cocktail or 10. What can I say?
Anyway, not sure how to wrap this post up. I guess I would suggest a few things:
- Befriend a super fan. It’s awesome to see them lose their shit with happiness and sadness. It’s cool to see someone have that much passion about a sports team.
- Listen to Hiss Golden Messenger, they rule.
- Go to the Bluebird. It is a nice place.
That is all.
Los Borrachos Denver 