Benny Jay: My Chicago Bulls Odyssey
Monday, January 2: Gather dog, wife and children to break the news….
“The Bulls are embarking on a grueling odyssey of nine games in 12 days. Our road’s long, our sacrifices real. But if we persevere, we shall prevail. Are there any questions?”
To which my wife says: “I’m sorry, were you talking?”
And so the odyssey begins…..
Tuesday, January 3: Down 19 in the third quarter against Atlanta. Overwhelmed with anxiety, can take it no more — walk around the house, singing random Beatles songs to myself.
When I discover Bulls came back to win, I immediately text Bulls buddies to say: “Did you see that?” Even though I’d seen none of it….
Wednesday, January 4: Watch game while standing on sidewalk looking through big glass window of a bar on 500 block of North Clark Street — long story. Good news: Bulls beat Detroit. Bad news, Rip Hamilton injures his groin. Thus begins my obsession with Hamilton’s groin.
Come back, Ben Gordon, come back….
Friday, January 6: Have previous engagement to dine with old friends. At restaurant, repeatedly tell wife and old friends I need to use bathroom — must be something I ate. Enabling me to sneak into bar where game’s playing. We Bulls fans have always been resourceful.
Saturday, January 7: Plan to watch game while standing on sidewalk looking through glass window of bar on 2900 block of North Clark Street. Long story. But bar’s TVs tuned to New Orleans-Detroit football game. Apparently, not all of Chicago’s jumped on the Bulls bandwagon. No matter, cause Bulls lose in Atlanta. Nooooooo!!!!!
Monday, January 9: Watch win over Detroit while at the bowling alley. Debate Norm about Ben Gordon. Debate goes like this….
Me: I wish Ben Gordon still played for the Bulls….
Norm: He’s too short, Benny….
Apparently, Norm and I will never, ever tire of that debate….
Tuesday, January 11: Watch the game on at a restaurant in Logan Square, while tweeting with Tal Rosenberg. (What up, Tal!) Long story — here, read all about it.
In the afterglow of Bulls triumph over Minnesota, get text from Norm saying D Rose hurt his toe. Noooooo!!!! Immediately, my obsession moves from Rip Hamilton’s groin to D Rose’s toe.
The great Mike Klonsky….
Wednesday, January 12: Spend morning asking random strangers in various coffee shops for updates regarding D Rose’s toe. Then watch Bulls beat Washington while at the bowling alley with the Young One. (What up, Young one!) Drink a toast to John Lucas III, who, while subbing for Rose, scores 25. All in all — great night!
Friday, January 13. Miss first three quarters of Boston game cause I’m at The Persuasions concert. Love the Persuasions. Mike Klonsky’s also at the concert. Seems like everywhere I go, I see Mike Klonsky.
After the concert, dash over to a bar across the street just in time to watch D. Rose — bum toe and all — drive toward the basket, jump, turn in mid-air, move the ball from one hand to the other and bank it in off the glass. Exclaim to waitress: “Oh, my God — did you see that!” Waitress smiles blandly.
Outside bar, bump into aforementioned Mike Klonsky, who watched the game at a different bar. We weep with gratitude for getting to live in Chicago during the age of Rose.
At last, someone understands!
Saturday, January 14: Inform my wife we will be staying in tonight to watch game 9 of the Odyssey on free TV. Because I am the king and this is my castle and my word is her command. Are there any questions?
To which my wife says: “I’m sorry, were you talking?”
And so the odyssey ends as it began….
Guest Blogger:
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Pull My Finger. Written by Milo. Read by Andy Orscheln, Lorenzo Toia, Joel Reitsma, Nels, Laura Korn and introducing Benny Jay as Rolando. Produced by King Conundrum.
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