My favorite destination while covering the Bulls was Miami, because it meant at least a lunch and some after-game drinks on South Beach. Man, were things different last night.
I expected it to be crazy, with Ocean Drive closed to car traffic. But it was less crazy than gross and sleazy.
Considering the face value of the cheapest seats is $600, I guess I was expecting a somewhat higher class of crowd. It looked like a free Kevin Federline concert had just ended.
Actually, there was some music and J-Lo and her husband, I forget his name, Marc Anthony or something like that, rehearsed for their concert tonight. Dozens of people stood on a short concrete barrier to watch them. That's what you do with J-Lo, watch, cuz she can't sing.
Just outside of the musical venue was a surreal scene. Thousands of fake tombstones, I'm guessing 3,000, with soldier's names on them. A sign that read "Bring Them Home Now" made me wonder if the city knew this exhibit was coming. It dominated the entire grassy area between Ocean Dr. and the beach. I'm guessing Mayor Daley wouldn't have allowed that.
There was the usual assortment of nuts. One guy walking around with a cheesehead and a sign thanking Brett Favre for coming back one more season. Another was walking around holding a sign above his head extolling the virtue of Jesus Christ's blood.
My friend and I sat next to a couple who were talking about the tickets they bought for the game. They paid twice face value from a scalper. The man admitted he was worried they were counterfeit. Too late for that concern. The woman said the scalper gave them his cell phone no. as proof he was legit. Say goodbye to your $3,000. What do they think they're going to do when they get to the gate and find out their counterfeit, call the guy and demand a refund? Colts fans. Somehow that figures.
There seemed to be more Bears fans than Colts fan roaming the streets last night. They certainly were the loudest.
I kept thinking someone was going to get shot or stabbed or hurt. I was just hoping it wouldn't be a player dumb enough to show up. Didn't want to have to write that story.
Come on Roman! I want to hear about the parties down there. Did the SunTimes get you in to the Maxim or Playboy parties?
Roman responds: Playboy party is tonight, and yes, I'm going.
Roman, having grown up in East Chicago, Indiana also I would agree that places like Miami and New York City and Frisco are always palces to look forward to visiting if for no other reason than watching people there has the feeling that every day in those cities is Halloween or Mardi Gras.
Roman responds: Yeah, but in past visits, South Beach had a lively vibe, but it wasn't like this. I'm not a huge New Orleans fan, but S.F. and N.Y. are personal favorites.
I agree with Domer, we want to hear about the parties. How was the action at the Playboy Party? Did you get to meet any of the Playmates?
Roman responds: You have to buy Monday's paper.