A New Beginning

Hello fellow Bears fans.

We have finally, mercifully reached the end of what I can only describe as the most painful Bears season I can remember. I'm leaving it at that. The 2014 Chicago Bears are done; it's time to move on.

Now, as I'm sure you're all aware the Bears decided to fire General Manager Phil Emery and coach Marc Trestman today. I was not surprised by the move and, in fact, welcomed it. I had no emotional moment where I said "thank God" or jumped out of my seat with joy. The right move was made.

However, what has drawn some significant reaction is what has transpired as the day went on. Specifically, the press conference with Bears chairman George McCaskey and president Ted Phillips. McCaskey was asked what his mother Virginia, principal owner and granddaughter of the legendary George Halas, has had to say about the team.

This was McCaskey's reaction:

“She’s pissed off. I can’t think of a 91-year-old woman that that description would apply to but in this case I can’t think of a more accurate description.”

God bless that woman. FINALLY after months of apathy and players and coaches appearing not to give a damn, somebody has stepped and said that what is happening with this great organization is not right.

McCaskey even added that his mother is "fed up with mediocrity."

Here is a link to see what George said.

Damn straight. It feels like a breath of fresh air to know the ownership of this team cares, wants to see change, and wants to see this team return to glory.

So my friends, here is to new beginnings. I don't know what the future holds, but for the first time in awhile I feel hope that the Bears will one day return to the promise land. And that feels pretty damn good after months of feeling so down about the team I love so much.

Here's to you, Virginia. As always, BEAR DOWN.

Every Simpsons Ever

Since my foot has decided to be hurt and I'm moving as little as possible, I've decided to grab a drink and blog about what may be one of the greatest things to happen in my lifetime...the Every Simpsons Ever Marathon on FXX.

I've loved The Simpsons as long as I can remember. Literally. One of my earliest memories is asking my sister if we can watch "the yellow people" on TV. I even own the first 11 seasons on DVD and one day I will have them all. I college, I wrote a paper about how great of a show The Simpsons is.

So, naturally, this marathon of every single Simpsons episode ever was right up my alley.

How has it been so far? Everything I had expected it to be. When I haven't been at work I've been watching the marathon. I can't stop. It's starting to effect my life.

Earlier today I had to get out and run some errands but finding a good break in the marathon was like finding a needle in a haystack. I kept saying to myself "after this episode" and something like three hours later I finally managed to pry myself away from the epicness to get out of the house and take care of some business.

The fact my foot is hurt is making it better. It's given me a (in my mind) a legitimate excuse to sit on the couch all day and watch this thing. I've accepted my fate.

I have no regrets.

I can't thank FXX enough for doing this. I mentioned earlier this may be one of the greatest things to happen in my life. I mean it. Seriously...how often does your favorite show of all time get displayed non-stop for 12 straight days? Incredible.

I hope this post finds you sitting in front of the TV and watching the marathon, just like me.

Good luck, and may the Force be with you.

Always a Fan

I wrote this awhile back, right after the Bears lost to the Packers and lost a chance at the playoffs last season.  Not sure why I never posted it, but it seems like it should be...so, enjoy reading a piece of my mind after an especially heartbreaking loss...


Sometimes after I watch Bears games like the one today I catch myself thinking, for just a second, why do I love this team so much?  On a relatively consistent basis they find a way to rip my heart out.  Why do we love something that hurts us?  What if you apply the same thing to relationships?  If a person hurts you over and over, eventually you'd drop them and move on...but with sports, we roll with the punches.  But why?

Maybe the answer is something as simple and stupid as, hope.  Holding onto the hope that one day, they won't let you down.  One day, they'll stand on top of the mountain and you'll get to experience that special feeling reserved for the fans of Super Bowl Champions.

However, I think the answer is beyond true description.  When you love a team, truly love them, you don't have a real reason.  I remember the moment I became a Bears fan.  It just hit me.  It felt right.  Something about the team spoke to me.  I've been obsessed ever since.  There's no reason, it just happened.

So, even though watching my team come up just short today and dealt me yet another heart-ripping moment in a long history of heart-ripping moments, I'll continue holding my love for this team.  I'll continue my unconditional faith and belief in this team we call "Da Bears."

Finding Bigfoot

Unequivocally my number one guilty pleasure show is Finding Bigfoot.  Anyone who follows me on Twitter (@trislerstudz if you don't already) knows it.  Really, anyone that's ever been around me when I've mentioned it knows how much I love/hate the show.

For those of you who are blissfully unaware, Finding Bigfoot follows the adventures of some truly ignorant people, who are members of the Bigfoot Field Researchers Organization (BFRO), as they attempt to prove the existence of the mythical Bigfoot (a beast they commonly refer to as a "squatch").

Obviously, they have failed...so far.

When it comes down to the bare-bones of the show, what these people do is go into the woods, make a bunch of noise (which includes doing some rather ridiculous thing called a "bigfoot howl"), and for the most part assume any noise they hear back MUST be bigfoot.  They also talk to some eyewitnesses and hear their stories/encounters with the strange beast.  Pretty much every time, the stars of the show say "I believe you saw a bigfoot."  No matter how insane the story is.

But possibly the most insane, and really insulting part of the show, is all the little facts they have about bigfoot.  They say these things as FACTS.  They 100 percent believe these things they say are true characteristics of bigfoot.  For instance, did you know bigfoot like to follow power lines?  It's like their highways.  What proof do they offer to back up this outrageous statement?  None.  Because it's just a fact...didn't you know that?

They say these things with little to no evidence to back them up, and expect you to just believe them.  It insults human intelligence.  It really does.  Like, do you expect me to believe this when you have NO evidence to prove it?

These idiots once spent 50 minutes of one episode proving there are, in fact, deer in the woods.  I kid you not, that is the only thing I got from the episode.  Of course, what they said (and what they say at the end of every episode, no matter how little they have proven) is "after seeing what we've seen here, I do believe there are sasquatches in ___."

What have I learned form the show?  That bigfoot is basically a collection of random facts no one can associate to any one specific animal.

My point here is the show is rather addicting.  While I'd rather not give these idiots more viewers, I suggest checking it out if you're looking for a laugh or just want to feel better about your life.  I promise you will.

That's all I have.  I could probably write a book on how insane these people are but I'd rather let them speak for themselves, so here's a link to a video of those insane howls I wrote about earlier.

Happy squatching!