My First BP

Hi

Well, this past Thursday I hosted my first ever BP (Bears Party) amongst the BP List guys. This list is pretty big consisting of loyal Bears fans that basically email and update each other about the latest and greatest Bears news and our own thoughts and analysis from the game (the list actually extends out to become the Bulls List as well as Cubbies list, too, during the Bears offseason). Fahad/Masood usually begins each week with his prediction followed by Kamran Riaz (aka Jay Mariotti's protege - and that's not a compliment). After the game, we all sound off on what we thought of the Bears' game play and unfortunately this season the BP list has shared more disappointment and criticism than we would've expected or liked. Other role players in the BP list include Irfan/Bungu/Brian with his verbal assaults (i.e. uncontrolled, Hulk-like yelling); Sikander with his constant reminding that Lovie Smith sucks; OZ talking about how great he is in predicting Favre's winning season; Eyad and his random picture emailing and accompanying caption commentary; Hot Chipz Chippa with his intense love triangle (him, Archuletta, Chris Duhon on the Bulls); and many others who I'm leaving out, but are all critical components of the list.

Anyway, each Bears game most of these guys try to meet up at someone's crib where we not only enjoy watching our favorite team, but also enjoy food and the general company. So, as I recently upgraded our Dish to get the NFL Network and HD, I volunteered to host Thursday night's disappointing game that has essentially sealed any chances for a post season spot (pending Divine Intervention which I am now praying for). Having the NFL Network plus HD is a true blessing not only for the obvious fact that it's football in HD, but also because of the acceptance that KR has now given me after upgrading to HD. Sigh. The things I do to keep up with the Jones's.

So, Thursday's BP seemed to be successful and as much as I would like to credit my hosting abilities, I am not foolish enough to think that it had nothing to do with the food and particularly the buffet of SGPs (spicy gyros pizza from Italian Express) followed by ice cream sundaes, red velvet cake, and homemade brownies courtesy of the legendary pajama-wearing Farooq. In translation, what the food menu really looked like was a line-up of a coronary followed by high cholesterol and some sloth. For some, such a set-up would be a total health nightmare and a food line-up that should be reported to the FDA for immediate action; for men, however, there was nothing more satisfying – not even a woman’s touch (because with a woman’s touch, you have to live with the repercussions like emotional commitment; with food, the only type of commitment you have is with the toilet and for many men that’s a commitment more readily welcomed than a woman’s nagging).

I don’t think I’m going to get into much of the disappointing and – again – winnable game against the Redskins, because that’s a pain I am not willing to delve into without serious psychiatric assistance. Instead, what I’m gonna do is post pictures, something I truly excel at:

Masood: He doesn't need the touch of a woman anyway. And can you blame him? Look who he gets to sit on...

Hey, guys, do you realize that there's a game on? You know, Da Bears? (Hmm, looks like the early stages of the post-SGP knock out.)

The master gourmet chef prepares the final touches on the sundae

Guys? The game? Ok, nevermind...

And this is what it’s all about, folks. Brotherhood. In this case, though, it looks a little more serious. Or questionable. I’m going to blame this on the SGPs and sundaes – that’s the only logical explanation.

And that was pretty much the night. Well, as attendees of the BP know, that really wasn’t it. The night also consisted of some wii action, which lasted for 10 minutes. But the main source of entertainment (not “scare” as some would say) was me casually walking into the living room without my shirt on as if this was normal for me to do. The crowd reaction wasn’t comforting, but I wasn’t gonna let that discourage me. Look, everyone has their “thing,” right? Irfan likes to yell. Tariq likes to eat a few rotis in the morning. Sikander likes peanut butter on everything. Taha likes steroids. Hassan likes his hair. Fahad likes himself (a lot). Farooq likes to hate on everything - especially me. Sami likes to know how many people are coming to my house before committing. And I like to occasionally take my shirt off in social situations…

Well, mad props to Fahad for embracing (literally) this tradition of mine and taking a picture that’s, well, not suitable for you readers (or potential rishtas) to view. Just think of Janet Jackson’s infamous picture and I’ll leave it at that. The only thing that bothered me was Irfan’s involuntary body reaction (he ran up to my bedroom to hurl) and the random flashes from people’s cell phones. At this point, I have no clue where the hell those pictures could be and I’m afraid to ask. But, I trust my brothers in Islam not to go out there and shame me (i.e. ruin my chances to get married). And, yes, I did just bring religion into it! Can you really fault me?!

While I’m giving to props, I just wanna give props to EVERYONE for coming out to my hood, which is apparently “far,” even from people who live 15 minutes away (Chippa, you jerk!)! But, seriously, it was cool having everyone there and a blessing for the 2pac household (especially on a night where it snowed about 5 inches). So, MAD JZK to all. Special recognition to Tariq for supplying the drinks at the last second and Farooq for hooking up the brownies he made himself, the wii, and the ice cream (and to both of them for sticking around afterward to help clean!).

Alhamdullilah, it’s great to have such brothers even if the Bears f-ing lost.

Until the next BP…