I'm not a huge sports fan, but I watch a bit. It wasn't such a big deal when I lived in the New York area, where they have every conceivable sort of professional sports. These days I live in the Charlotte NC area, and football is currently a very big deal in Charlotte.

The Carolina Panthers (based here in Charlotte) are playing in the Super Bowl this Sunday. I forget what the Roman numerals are for this year's game. Normally, this time of the year, football is over for me unless one of the New York teams happens to make it into the big game. I generally watch the game, paying more attention to the commercials than the gridiron action. This year, I have something to get excited about.

Sure, it's just a game, and the outcome will be decided whether I waste the time watching it or not. The Panthers are underdogs, and few people who know football give them much chance to win. The TV people are probably unhappy that such a small market like Charlotte got into the game, and the ratings will probably be low.

But there's always a party atmosphere to watching the Super Bowl, even when your favorite team isn't playing. For a sleepy city like Charlotte, having the local team in the final game is big news. Really big news. A couple of years ago, the Panthers were the league's doormat, with fifteen straight losses. Maybe next year, they will be again. But for this year, this game, little Charlotte can pretend that they're a world class city. And I'll pretend right along with them.

I don't expect to get any writing done this Sunday.