Fall, Equinox and College Football

If you think Packers, you don't know what I"m talking about.

It's that time of year again. Fall. Autumn. The Equinox. Here in the Pacific Northwest, the seasons change demonstratively. On Midsummer's Night, the sun rises before 5:30 AM and sets slightly after 9 PM. Just a few days ago, on the day of equal day and night, it rose at 7:00 AM and set at 7:00 PM. The angle of the sun changes, and the sun is already halfway to its southernmost arc. As a southerner, I find this transition particularly challenging. I find myself introspective, nostalgic and, at times, morose.

There's a certain slant of light, 

On winter afternoons, 

That oppresses, like the weight 

Of cathedral tunes.

There's a decay in the air and Indian summer days only serve to mock the dirges of dying bees, and the leaves on the trees are just—just—on the cusp. What can we do to shake ourselves from this melancholic reverie? College Football. And I'm not talking about it all, specifically, SEC and ACC. It's different out here, and I can't say that I altogether like it.

The University of Oregon dominates and they have this thing they call the "Civil War," when U of O plays Oregon State. The four years I've been here, the Ducks have beat the Beavers every time. UGA U. of Florida bar fights are more entertaining and vigorous than this rivalry.

If Oregon is on TV in a bar or pub, all 50 TV's must be tuned to that channel. But every cloud has its silver lining. Because the big, local bar refused to turn even one little monitor to the UGA game, we discovered our most beloved Portland gem, The Brooklyn Pub. There are 3 main TV's, and 3 more spread throughout this little space. The proprietor, Nate, is ready for we east coasters who watch early morning games.

Initially, we had to call and ask if he would turn on the UGA game. He was always accommodating. Sometimes we'd find ourselves in another part of town, unable to get a monitor changed because the Oregon game was on, and we'd call down.

Brooklyn Park Pub: How can we help you?
Me: Um, would it be possible to turn a TV to the UGA game?
BPP: We're so sick and tired of you Georgia people calling to ask, Dammit.
Me: Oh, geez, sorry...
BPP: Where ya been? It's already on...

Ah Southern hospitality can be found in the least likely of places. A northwest bar named after a yankee borough. I ask you!

We watch out games with Michigan and Penn State fans who have also found the Brooklyn. Nate makes us individualized breakfast plans and we refill our own coffee. Bloody Mary's frequently appear. Sometimes my friends and I are the only ones in the bar, and during half time Nate regales us with rants about how women used to rule the universe but then demanded "equality" and lost it all. History lessons often involve "taking it to the map."

All in all, I've enjoyed the different way I watch my college football. Of course, there's no more tailgating, and as the season wears on, I grow increasingly jealous of the beautiful southeastern skies broadcasted on the TV's. The slate gray skies and blanket of wet cloud envelops Portland, and we can only look on in envy as we see sunlight streaming through the Athens hedges. I can't even mention those Chick-fil-A commercials. Absolute torture.

My UGA sticker has faded such that people out here think I'm a Packer fan. Nobody recognizes the Wake Forest Seal on my car. Still, entering a bar at 9:00 AM here, looking around at other stool perchers: our eyes meet, we nod, and we know without saying a word. Go Dawgs! Go Deacs!