Notre Dame Football: One Thought, One Take: Bye Week Activities/Fall Edition

Thought

And so we have made it to Bye week, a time to relax before the truly daunting part of the schedule gives us the Friday Scaries. During Bye Week, some people go outside and enjoy Fall, others stay in and obsess over the Notre Dame Fighting Irish upcoming opponents, and some pretend college football doesn’t exist for an afternoon....whatever you do, Enjoy it. I often find myself looking at random highlights of past seasons to pass the time- see below for my personal favorite from 2012 (35 minutes of pure ecstasy). Taking a step back this week, I would like to hear how the loyal readers (I like to imagine I have loyal, weekly readers) spend their Bye week, and any tricks or tips you have to indulge in the time off. I have compiled a list of things that you may do, have done, or hope to do this week. So here we go, I present to you, Philly G’s list of Top Activities during Bye Week. Please vote, share, comment, and leave your own Bye Week Rituals.

1. Finally Accept the Invitation to go to a Game with the Friend who always Asks

Ya sure Dave, I would LOVE to go to the raucous environment in Evanston to watch the WildCats take on the BoilerMakers this weekend, What a RUSH!! GO CATS!

2. Plan activities with you wife/husband/family and pretend that you didn’t even realize it was a Bye Week.

A classic diversion tactic. “honey, are you sure you want to go Apple picking this afternoon?, I thought you’d want to watch the game”........................... “Game.....? Oh the Notre Dame Football Game? let me double check what time they play today.....Oh wow would you look at that its a Bye! I had no clue! No worries, I am just so Excited to go Apple Picking!”..... Despite the diversion tactic, I have heard Apple picking can be great, plus Apple Pie, Apple Cider, Apple Donuts, Home made Hot Chunky Apple Sauce (not that in the can Mott’s junk)

3. Doing the exact opposite of #2 and watch old recordings of past Irish victories

“Honey, I thought the Irish had a Bye this week....don’t you want to go Apple Picking with the kids?”........... “Why don’t we watch Notre Dame vs. Miami 1988, we can reminisce about the happiest day of my life”

4. Closely watch All Past/Future Opponents from this year and root for them

Suddenly, you find yourself living in a parallel universe where you are flipping back and forth between Michigan and USC, and rooting for them both. You justify it by saying you want them to win to boost the Irish’s standing, but secretly....you feel relief in your lack of hatred....Looking at you, Charlie. (also aware we don’t play Michigan this year)

5. TailHating

TailHating is a term coined by my friend David when we lived in Southern California, very close to USC’s campus. During Bye weeks, we would go to the USC campus during the day with a bag full of Tecates, a football, and a knack for blending in. We would secretly make fun of the bro’s from USC, dishing out ironic high fives and yelling Fight On while holding up the Hook Em Sign. Also, staring at the “people” across the USC campus wasn’t always a bad deal either.... “sup”

6. Actually going out and Enjoying Fall Activities-No Gimmicks!

Honestly sometimes its great to just be outside and do some fall activities during the day. Go to a Pumpkin Patch, Go Apple Picking, Grab a blanket, an IPA, and a football and sit outside, Carve A pumpkin, Rake some leaves, Make some fall crafts with the kids. Living in California made me miss fall terribly, so you better believe now that I’m back in the MidWest I am going to indulge me in some FALL!

Regardless of what you plan to do this weekend, take it as a chance to lower your blood pressure and relax. The next couple weeks are going to be high stress and very intense with the strong schedule ahead. Also you probably have a LOT of time on your hands-so enjoy the magical 2012 EPIC 35 minute film. Go Irish!