10 Things To Do Besides Watch A Bears Game

By Staff in News on Dec 4, 2014 5:00PM

When it comes to sportball the Bears have a monopoly on the heartstrings of Chicago sports fans. While the city's baseball allegiances are split between North and South Sides and the bandwagons of the Bulls and Blackhawks vary in load depending on the teams' successes, people still flock to Soldier Field and stop what they're doing whenever the Monsters of the Midway take the field. It's a constant of Chicago life along with political corruption, no ketchup on hot dogs and the ongoing argument of deep dish versus thin crust pizza.

And it doesn't stop when the season ends. The Chicago Bears are a perfect example of the overkill that happens when a 24-hour news cycle and an obsessive fanbase collide; you have better things to do than worry about Matt Forte's carries or the play of the defense. The Bears bring their sucktitude before another national audience this evening when they take on the Dallas Cowboys at Soldier Field but we urge you to break the chains that shackle you to cheering on a team that doesn't deserve your passion and money. Do something else: watch "Scandal;" read a book; clean the house. Do anything but watch the Bears.

Here are 10 things you can do that would be more productive than sitting in front of your TV cursing Jay Cutler and Marc Trestman.

- Start an annual journal. Now is the time to look back at 2014: buy a nice notebook and pen, sit down with some relaxing music in the background and see how much you can remember about the past year. The good, the bad, the ugly. When you're finished (deadline of December 31!) pack the notebook away and don't take it out again for another year. Then, at this time next year, you can catch up on 2014 and add a new chapter for 2015.—Rob Christopher

- Go for a long chilly walk, warm up with a hot beverage and take a relaxing bath after being out in the cold. You'll enjoy some nature and it won't sting as badly as the Bears losing once again.—Lisa White

- Eat or drink at a bar or restaurant with no televisions. I love going to Duke of Perth where they have great Shepherd's Pie and room-temperature Guinness.—Carrie McGath

- I usually wander around practicing architectural photography on Sundays. If you're going to brave the Chicago elements you might as well be looking at something beautiful.—Jessica Mlinaric

- Go grocery shopping. The roads are dead while everyone else is watching the Bears.—Michelle Meywes

- Watch whatever NBA game is on.—Joel Wicklund

- How about watch "Brian's Song?" It might have a happier ending than the Bears game.—Casey Moffitt

- Go ice skating. All of the Park District’s outdoor rinks and the Millennium Park ice rink are open right now. The Park District rinks are mostly empty on game days so you can get a good workout and work on your skills in the meantime.—Chuck Sudo

- Brew some beer or kombucha! Or ferment something else.—Erika Kubick

- Spend the time you would normally commit to the Bears cooking. I allot my Sunday afternoons for preparing all my lunches and dinners for the week; all I have to do is reheat them and be on my way.—Chuck Sudo