Adam Fein is an online programs director at the University of Illinois. He holds a BA in Speech Communication and a Masters in Human Resource Development and Learning Technologies. He has spent his entire life living in either Champaign, Urbana or Savoy. Currently residing on the quiet side in Urbana, his first loves are (the inclusive) Jesus, his wife and his son...closely followed by Slowdive, The Chicago Cubs, Old Style beer, and our very own Curtis Orchard.. He does not love bigotry, licorice, or vomiting.
Unbelievable.
Simply unbelievable my friends. A sweep. No wins. A story…
When I was eight years old my cousin gave my brother, sister and I his Atari 2600. After mashing through games like Adventure and Decathlon he loaned us Pitfall II.
The sequel to the original Pitfall became an instant family hit, but remains one of the most frustrating games I’ve ever played. Why? Well, when you touched an enemy you were instantly sent all the way back to the last Health station. At times, you could lose a ridiculous amount of progress. You literally could play for hours, make one mistake and all was lost. No gain, nothing. Check out the last 25 seconds:
You had a choice, quit or start all over again.
The Chicago Cubs and Pitfall II unfortunately have a lot in common for me and the rest of Cub nation. Start all over again? Really? Hmmm…
…And maybe we’ll be willing to start over for the 101st time. But Cubbies, I’ve got to tell you, we’re tired.
See you in the spring my friends; take care and take it easy.
Comments (6)
Monday, October 6, 2008 3:59 PM
You hit the nail on the head, my friend.
Monday, October 6, 2008 4:10 PM
Good analogy... Except you forgot Pitfall '03 (too soon to discuss?), Pitfall '98, and of course, Pitfall '84 (I was not alive in '69) Enough is enough. We had the BEST team organized for these playoffs. No other hitter could have prevented this, even if we did have manny Ramerez. No additional starter could have provided the cushion we needed, no, not even CC. This was a team designed for the playoffs, from the starters to the last player on the bench. Something outside of pure skill and ability prevented this loss. I am not necessarily convinced it was a curse, but something larger is at work here beyond the players control. I am starting to replay the post-trade interviews with Micael Barrett (not a fan) who implied the difficulties of playing for Sweet Lou. You look accross town at Ozzie making jokes and goofing with his players and you wonder, maybe there is more to this that we realize. Maybe Lou is his own worst enemy. No doubt about it, he is the best coach we have ever had, but maybe he needs to bring in someone to help loosen this team up. If not a coach, maybe a player. Or maybe one player is causing all this choking. Who knows? Someone does and this information is VITAL to Jim Hendry. This is ridculous.
Truth be told, I told myself I would not watch the game on Saturday, boycotting another heartbreak and night of agony. Interestingly enough, I once told myself I would not call my ex-girlfriend, but somehow ended up calling her only to learn that she was dating someone new (also from L.A.). On Saturday (and Wednesday and Thursday), I witnessed every heartbreaking second of the game. I listened to the the slight but permenent cracks in my heart with each man left on base, each Manny at bat, and of course, each Soriano strike out. Once a glutton for pain, always a glutton. Enough is enough.
Monday, October 6, 2008 4:16 PM
Well said my friend. Well said. …and that’s what I meant by “I’m tired”. I think it’s the history. No matter who’s managing, no matter who the players are, this FOG of doubt, a haze of waiting for the other shoe to drop appears. How much history is too much to overcome? Maybe the Cubs have put a measurable number on it…
Monday, October 6, 2008 9:13 PM
Man. I still can't believe they haven't won since Steve Bartman stuck out his infamous glove to catch that foul ball in '03.
If I were superstitious, that's the curse I'd work on exorcising, instead the old billy goat thing.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008 6:28 PM
Cu-ban! Cu-ban! Cu-ban! Bartman throwing out the first pitch on opening day? So sad...
Tuesday, October 7, 2008 6:31 PM
Cu-ban! Cu-ban! Cu-ban! Bartman throwing out the first pitch on opening day? I think the original Mega Man or Metroid make me feel the same way. Maybe the Cubs need to upgrade to 16 bits.