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I spent a couple of days in cold, windswept Buffalo in either January or February a few years ago. I stayed at a Marriott Courtyard in downtown and at night went to the Pearl Street Grill & Brewery which was a rather massive place with pool tables and a long bar polished to a high shine.

As I approached the pub, the streets were icy and snowdrifts lined the sidewalks. People were bundled up but mostly friendly. But it was toasty warm inside. I ordered a beer and then a burger and fries. Then some more beer. Like most bars these days, there were flat screen TVs showing taped sporting events that nobody was paying attention to. The usual Journey and Five For Fighting songs played over the stereo system. It was fairly busy that night and bartenders/waitstaff were moving at a rapid clip with a lot of plates clattering and glasses clinking.

Afterwards, I paid my tab, wrapped a scarf around my neck, buttoned up my wool coat, put on my hat and gloves and plunged into the icy darkness of a cold and blustery Buffalo night.

The geniuses in Cleveland put the outdoor football stadium on the shore of Lake Erie. Tickets are available for next to nothing. Even if I wanted to attend, I’d have to pay a fortune for parking or use public transportation that’s practically non-existent on a Sunday, have to pay a whole lot of money for any snacks, and endure frigid cold on a cold December afternoon. To watch players who enjoy insulting their fans during opening ceremonies (instead of focusing on game prep) and a coach who enables them. Uhhhh.....no thanks. Maybe if they paid me $100 to attend, I’d consider it.