The Annual Metamorphosis of Cafe 227

Those of you who either (1) know me personally or (2) have read my Friendster/MySpace profile know the following: I have an irrational obsession with the Steelers. Indeed, my disposition is positively correlated with the Steelers' success. Perhaps I view the Steelers as an escape or, more aptly, a distraction from the banalities of staring at Excel spreadsheets all day. In the off-season, I lead quite a productive life - I read works of great literature, watch foreign art-house films of import (without subtitles, mind you), go white water rafting, write lengthy expository essays on Spinoza's concept of the relationship between substance, attributes, and modes, etc. But come August, I'm all about the Steelers.

So, I was heartened to see the following today when I visited the Post Gazette's web site:

That's right - "Steelers: back to work." And, "Thousands cheer Big Ben's every move." Etc.

Training camp has begun.

You know what this means, don't you? Don't worry, Cafe 227's not necessarily going to become a Steelers blog. Nonetheless, the topic of the Steelers will dominate my ongoing virtual dialogue with you from now until the Steelers repeat as Super Bowl champions in February 2007. I know that you may have no interest in the Steelers, but I'm sorry. This is just how it has to be.

Let's start things off on a humorous note...