4 Février 2012

FN: 5

A long weekend

So we’re still stuck in Ouaga – we’ll be here until at least Wednesday – but at least we have a novel experience coming: a three-day weekend. Sunday is the Muslim holiday of Mawlid, the observance of Muhammad’s birthday, and since Africans are loathe to let a good excuse for a day off go to waste (bless them), Monday is an observed holiday as well.

For most PCVs, this doesn’t mean much: while the Bureau and the Embassy get days off, a PCV is technically on the job 24/7/365 for two years. However, since Chris, Scott, and I are all currently working with a Burkinabé government agency, this means we get the day off as well. If it were any other day, I would be slightly miffed; however, as the Super Bowl doesn’t start until midnight our time on Sunday, this means I can both watch the game live and rest and recover fully afterwards. This makes me happy.

While I’m on the topic of the Super Bowl, I suppose I should get this down in writing in advance:

What I hope will happen: Patriots 28, Giants 23

What I’m horribly afraid will happen: Giants 35, Patriots 21

I love the Pats (leaving aside the Panthers, they and the 49ers are my two favorite teams), but to quote Bill Simmons they are currently using an 11-man mobile colander for defense. Also, their offense features Tom Brady and some guys who probably aren’t nearly as good as he makes them look. The Giants are mediocre – they were the 3rd or 4th strongest team in the NFC at best – but they got where they are on the back of an inspired defensive effort, and the crowd in Indy will surely be heavily biased against the Pats. All in all, this looks like a game the Giants should win, but that either team could win. I’m just glad the Pats are facing the Giants, and not the Packers or the Saints. Then they would be in real trouble.

Oh, one more thing: I can never decide who I hate more, Tom Coughlin or Eli Manning. They’re both just so irritating. Even if I weren’t a Pats fan, I would have to be against the Giants just for that.

Here’s hoping they lose.