EuroLIfe: Day 117

Jena Half-Time Report

It's 2:08 (AM) and here we are, gathered around our itty bitty television, watching the Superbowl. Presently, we are watching the half-time show. It's funny to note how they've switched to middle aged men ever since the old "wardrobe malfunction."

The game started around 12:15, and our American friends Jeff and Laura came to watch it here. We talked about going to the American Bar and Grill to watch it, or to the other big sports bar downtown, but neither one is staying open for the game. (What kind of American Bar and Grill doesn't stay open for the Superbowl? Between that and the state of their hamburgers, I'm considering a call to a local embassy to discuss the ways we are being represented here in Jena.) Fortunately, the game is being broadcast on a channel that we get with our very basic cable package.

Here's the best part: The commentators are German! It's the Fox broadcast, but there are two German commentators right there in the stadium--one is a former player who won the superbowl in 2000. So, here are some of the fantastic words and expressions that we have heard since the start of the game. I present in increasing order, according to how amusing I found them to be:

• Durch der Mittel! (Through the middle.)
• Gut Arbeit, gute gemacht. (Good work, nicely done)
• Super! (Pronounced Zooper!)
• Gepuntet (say it out loud, you'll know.)

And last, but not least:

• Gesacked!

One nice thing about watching the game here is the total lack of commercials. We haven't seen one yet. Unfortunately, I fear that this might feed the European view that football is a preposterous game that involves a lot of standing around and waiting. Why? Because every time you all take a commercial break, we watch the football players stand around and wait.

I'm not sure I'll make it to the end...it is not 2:20 and my bed is oh so close. We shall see. In the meantime, Go Giants!