Let me start off by saying, this is not a Bucket List. At least not just yet and hopefully not for another 40-50 years. So please stop crying and stop writing long-winded eulogies that praise me so much it makes everyone else feel awkward. But feel free to continue writing that check to help put my children through college, even though they are only two and 5 months from being born – every little bit helps.
OK, now back to the point of this article.
This is merely a list of events that I would love to experince and that would rate highly using the “Goose Bump Factor”.
For those uninformed; GBF, or “Goose Bump Factor”, is used by individuals to gage how incredible – or “freakin’ awesome” – an event, a play or a moment truly is. The formula was derived from the sensation that occurs at the single moment when statements such as; “That was sick!” or “Did you see that?” or “You gotta be kidding me!” can be heard. When a moment is so breath-taking, so “I can’t believe what I just saw”, that the individual’s body is over come with the “chills” – commonly known as Goose Bumps.
Now for some, the GBF would be greatly enhanced by witnessing a team, or players, which they have followed their entire life. The Chicago Cubs winning the World Series means more to folks – yes, I just used the word folks – in the Windy City then to the Red Soxs nation. Even though they did have a close relationship prior to 2004 through BCA – Baseball Curses Anonymous.
Yet, some events are so big, so spectacular that it does not matter if your team is involved. You just have to be there.
So, with no further ado and in a very particular order. Here are my Top-10 Events based on the GBF.
1. Duke vs. North Carolina at Carmon Indoor Stadium – As a Duke fan, and a college basketball follower, there is no other situation that breeds more adrenaline and excitement than when the Tarheels come to Durham.
2. FIFA World Cup Final – There is little qualifying I need to do here. I have watched some many matches on TV, that just the idea of being there gets my blood pumping. Someone needs to scream GOAL!
3. Final Four – Long have I wanted to go. The closest I came was in 2001 when Duke beat Arizona to win their third Championship in Minneapolis. Maryland, which won the following year, and Michigan State, which won the previous year, rounded off the Final Four. Alas, I couldn’t get the money together – poor college kid.
4. The First Weekend of the NCAA Tourney – Most people barely know the names on the front and definitely don’t now know that names on the back of the jerseys of the teams playing Duke, UConn or UNC. But every year something amazing happens and we meet someone new. Plain and simple.
5. Manchester United Vs. Arsenal at the Emirates – I wanted to list Arsenal beating Chelsea, but there is no guarantee – and I don’t need to see John Terry’s mug the whole game. Plus with this match-up you get to see Ronaldo sent to the ground without being touched.
6. NBA Finals – About 2-3 years ago The NBA Finals would have been number 2-4. But because of my frustration with the T’Wolves and my awreness of soccer, it has fallen to sixth. That being said, I would like to see the Celtics and Lakers rematch in June.
7. The European Championships– The Euros, the second biggest soccer tournament in the world. Powerhouses like this year winner Spain, Italy, Germany and France – hopefully England soon – you get to see the best, multiple times.
8. The Olympics – Summer or Winter – probably summer – but either way you witness athletes competing after training for four years. Everything is more significant.
9. World Series – The Twins played in one of – if not THE – greatest World Series of all time in 1991. I know the Twins are a long ways away from getting back there, but the series gets shown on ESPN classic a lot. Baseball is a beautiful combination smells, sounds, Kevin Costner starring in Field of Dreams, that takes us back to a simpler time – about 9-10 months ago. Maybe it is just the pace of the game and the relief that the 162 game season is finally come to an end.
10. Wimbledon – I used to watch the grand-daddy of all tennis tournament with my mother when I was younger. In the summer we would get up, grab breakfast and tune in. I remember watching Boris Becker dive on the court, the odd but shiny trophies, and I remember the child labor of the ball boys and girls. I remember all the white clothing and thinking that was not a good choice because they will get dirty. Ultimately, I remember the passion.
Honorable Mention
UEFA Champions League Final
The Super Bowl
Michigan and Ohio State Football
The Masters
Double The Post 