For all you Sopranos people, I think I've found your fix of gang violence and intrigue. The show is called "Brotherhood." It's on Showtime. It's about the Irish clan, the Caffee's, a power family living off and on the streets of "The Hill" district in Providence. At one end of the spectrum is Tommy, the "good" brother who is a state senator in Rhode Island. He's political but knows the power that his office carries. The other end is Michael, a gangster who was wronged, beaten and is now back with a vengence. It's layered and evil and violent and smart. OK, it's not "The Sopranos." I don't think there will be another one of those. But it's in the ballpark, I'll give it that. Ethan Embry ("That Thing You Do") is excellent as a cop on the edge, undercover and in the family, pretty much. It's gritty and real. Where "The Sopranos" had humor, "Brotherhood" has a kick in the teeth.
In my book, this is a terrific road trip. It's close (relatively), tickets are abundant (for the most part) and it's Chicago (also for the most part).
There is something very intimate about football at Ryan Field. The place basically sits in a neighborhood. Not a bad seat in the joint. Northwestern is one of the few programs in the Big Ten that seems to really "want" you there. By that, I mean it's Big Ten football, without much of a tradition, that lives in a competitive sports market. Iowa doesn't have pro sports. Chicago has it up and down. Northwestern wants you and caters to you. It wants you to enjoy the gameday experience, such as it is. Iowa has games. Come if ya want. Don't like the hotdogs? Tough rocks. It's not that extreme, but it's along those lines. Northwestern football is needy. That's a good and a bad thing.
I've walked through quite a few tailgates at NW. The people look like they're having fun. They looked like that before the 2005 thrilling finish that went their way.
It sounds like doable tailgate weather. If the wind is blowing hard off Lake Michigan, the bidding for my press pass starts at $500. (This is a joke, BTW. Just in case anyone's ears perked up, I don't need to be making that decision.)
From the iPod:
"Arizona" -- Kings of Leon. "Now taste all I ever needed, all I ever wanted. Too dumb to surrender." Fitting, on the first try again this week. I looked "Arizona" because if Iowa wins out, it would have a reasonable shot at the Insight Bowl in Phoenix, the only bowl fully endorsed by golf-playing sports writers in the Cedar Rapids metro area.
"Detroit Has a Skyline" -- Superchunk. "As soon as I got home, reached out for the phone. Drank my sleep from a can, playing track six and track seven again and again." Motor City Bowl in mind here. Let's hope it doesn't come to that. I'll hitch hike up the day of. Don't think I won't. I'm old enough to have hitched from Dubuque to Madison on several occasions.
"Florida" -- Modest Mouse. "I guess I'll pack up my mind. It took so much effort not to make an effort. Oh, what a flawless design." The last time we were in Orlando for the holidays, the columnist ran into Paris Hilton and Mary Carey in Orlando. Dude is a stud. I just went to the dog track with Todd Brommelkamp, the Voice of the Hawkeyes guy and former Kernels flak. The columnist always seems to get the better end of the deal. Of course, this is for the Champs Sports Bowl in Orlando.
"Everywhere with a Helicopter" -- Guided by Voices. "I will try to fight them. I will let them nowhere to go. Try escape the pace. I'll say 'God bless you.' Let me know." This is the representative from the Bell Helicopter Armed Forces Bowl. Some online person has Iowa in this bowl. All I know is that it takes place in Fort Worth. The website doesn't work. Seriously, I'm not sure the Hawkeyes make a bowl with a 6-6 record. If they do, I vote for something warmer than Ft. Worth.
"First Day of My Life" -- Bright Eyes. "So if you want to be with me, with these things there’s no telling. We just have to wait and see. But I’d rather be working for a paycheck than waiting to win the lottery. Besides maybe this time is different, I mean I really think you like me." Probably going to this show Sunday night at the IMU. This guy is 26 going on genius.
Libation
Hazelnut Brown Nectar -- From Rogue Ales Brewery in Oregon, I've been told twice this week that I need to check out this stuff. And from people who know beer, lawyers and politicos. The boys at "Beeradvocate" have nothing but good things to write.
From "Sudsdog": "Still, drinkability is very good as the bottle is rather quickly going by my tummy. Not a very filling brew which is great for a beer with such good flavors. My penchant for bigger brews would love to see this one as an Imperial Brown, maybe even barrel aged, but I digress ... this is a very drinkable beer as it is ... it has its place, not all beers should be BIG."
In honor of former Gazetteer Tyler Lechtenberg, I will give this one a legit shot. It's going to be tough to break through the Anchor Steam and Anchor Porter brick wall, however. But I did feel bad for offering up "Glueks Golden Light" last week.
You get to a point where you're too old to drink cruddy beer. I was there like five years ago but didn't yet know it.