Football: the game of life (in Texas, anyway. . . .)
When I took the SAT back in 19-mumble-mumble, the test still included analogy questions.
For those of you too young to know, that section gave four possible choices to best complete a phrase ‘A is to ___ as X is to Y’.
Step one: figure out the relationship between X and Y. Step two: decide which given choice had that same relationship with A.
I loved those analogy questions, because I loved decyphering the relationships. Often, an answer came to me before I even saw the choices.
Occasionally, two initial reactions popped into my mind–because I saw two relationships between X and Y. (Being left-handed does that to you, as mere survival requires you to look at life from multiple angles–otherwise you risk, say, ending up scrambled like an egg in that nefarious device right-handed people call a revolving door.) Usually, only one was among the choices offered; if both were, I picked the right-handed one.
Once in a while, though, an analogy question would leave me wondering ‘Huh what?’
Like this one:
Chicago is to ______ as Pittsburgh is to steel.
Now, I got that they were asking for a major industry of Chicago. But I had no clue what industries Chicago had. Never been there, no relatives anywhere near there, not a single relationship that I could draw between anything in my life experience and Chicago.
‘Oh well,’ I thought glumly, ‘there’s no shame in having to look at the choices given.’
a) Textiles. b) Automobiles. c) Beef. d) Corn.
Yeah, well, on this one, there was no help in looking either.
Textiles? My state of Texas was a cotton state, but I’d never heard of Texas cotton being shipped off to mills in Chicago. Automobiles? That was definitely Detroit, which was close to Chicago (as Texans measure, anyway). Beef? Ha, now that was Texas. Corn? That should be Iowa, which was up toward Chicago. . . but whether it was closer to Chicago than Detroit, well, little distances like that are pocket change when you’re a kid from Texas.
Pittsburgh, land of those gosh-awful towels. . . .
And honestly, when you’re a kid from Dallas, Texas in 19-mumble-mumble, you don’t think about steel when you think about Pittsburgh.
You think about football.
And if you’re left-handed, you just might think ‘Hey wait, if Pittburgh’s team is the Steelers because of their steel industry, then maybe Chicago is the Bears because of. . . .’
But nah, bears don’t have anything to do with textiles, automobiles, beef or corn.
That’s when desperation sets in. ‘What the heck,’ you tell yourself, ‘what other teams are around there?’
Detroit Lions? Nah. Minnesota Vikings? Nah. St. Louis Cardinals, Cleveland Browns, Cincinnati Bengals? Nah, nah, nah.
And then, the brain clouds part and a choir of angels herald a flashback to elementary school days: ‘Mom, where’d the Catholic school down the street get their football team’s name?’
THEY PACK MEAT.’
Wouldn't you like to be a cheesehead, too?
And that, ladies and gentlemen, is how I got into college.
And why I’m rooting for Green Bay on Sunday. . . .
(For a separate view of any project, click on the image. Then click again for a full screen close up.)
I loved your post today and the whole story about solving the problem; however, I believe there is only one issue left to be resolved…..who will win the Superbowl? I believe it will be Pittsburgh! LET’s GO STEELERS!!!
P.S. I loved all three cards here as well!!
Holly, you are hilarious as always, and your football themed projects are fantastic! So clever! Go Packers!
Well we’re really well known for our toilet paper. The paper mills here, were the largest employers for a very long time. Packing meat not so much. That’s just where Curly worked.
See:
http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_did_the_Green_Bay_Packers_get_their_name
GO PACK!!!
I’m a little slow, so I had to re-read your post about 5 times to understand! Now, I have to say, I’m normally a Pats fan, so understandably, I wanted the Steelers to win over the Jets, but now, not so much over the Packers … I’m rooting for Green Bay on Sunday! It’s definitely high time for them!! Love all of your football-themed cards/paraphernalia! TFS!
Holly – your blog posts are always a twofer. Great projects and a laugh to boot.
Now Cheesehead – I don’t think I would have mentioned toilet paper and the Super Bowl in one conversation. I know I won’t be the only one who thinks about guys saying they’re going to wipe their “hineys” with the other teams jersey. lol
yes, hiney is my word. This place is G rated… mostly
I knew the answer right away. You need to read “The Jungle” by Upton Sinclair. Gives new meaning to bad working conditions! The book was about the meat processing district in Chicago in the early 1900′s. It’s rather horrifying to know that people actually worked in that environment!
Loved your projects since I’m a cheddar head myself. Great idea to make that cheddar cheese box.
Very creative!
Holly you are hilarious!!! I took the SAT back in 19 mumble mumble too. Yet unlike you, I remember nothing. I must have blocked that bad memory a long time ago!! Love your chunk of cheese. Great project. Thanks for the smiles today!
Holly, you are such a hoot! I was completely stumped, too, and used the same line of thinking that you did, to no avail. The Steelers card is cute, but the block of cheese is adorable. And yes, I’m hoping the Packers win, (may God help ‘em). I usually root for the team that ends up losing. Hope I’m wrong this time!
Loved the story and loved the Steeler card. Can appreciate the cuteness of block of cheese, but being from Pittsburgh just can’t fully embrace it! Hope you don’t mind if I copy the Steeler card. GO STEELERS – GOING FOR 7!
You’re one crazy chickee!
Great card for the “national holiday”. *eyeroll*
LOVE your first card and the wedge of cheese! Would LOVE the pattern for that little cutie! Can’t say that I like your second card, just because I LOVE the Packers! (If the Steelers weren’t playing the Packers, it would be OK! GO PACK GO!!!!!!!!!!
Great cards! Great story and I’m very impressed that you remember such specific things from 19 mumble mumble. I took the ACT, not SAT but sure don’t remember ANY details!!
Well, I am late at checking in because I actually watched the superbowl. I was routing for GB but truly thought that the Steelers would win. So glad they didn’t. It is really nice to see a team rise from adversity, with heart and that drive to actually take it all. Go Packers!!!!! I am a West Coast gal, born and raised and back in my hay day Pittsburg was always our biggest rivalry. So in my heart of hearts, I will always be glad to see any other team take them. In all honesty thou, GB delivered. The Steelers didn’t even show up. Kinda disappointing.
Marcie
opps!!!! Sorry I got so wrapped up in talking football, I forgot to mention how adorable your superbowl projects all were. Very cute. I enjoyed your comentary as well.
Marcie
LOL!!! ANd you got your wish didn’t you
I got it right away too! Does that make me an honorary left hander?
I was riding in an ambulance (as the nurse, not the patient) on the way to Grand Forks, ND (2 hours from Red Lake, MN where I work) during the Super Bowl so I didn’t even get to hear the score occasionally! And my Texas Caviar was all eaten up by the time I got back from that run
Holy cr*p, Holly, my head hurts from following the Logic trail. Hmmmm….. I got the deep dark sweats thinking about the analogy questions when I took my SATs a [very] long time ago. Just remembering them makes me nervous. Enough said. Love the football card and the cheese, though. Too cute!
Your a hoot Holly…..you’re much smarter than me….I always hate those type questions in which I have to think too much, LOL!!
I love to visit your blog and I just love this punch art!!!
Happy Stampin