Over the years I've never thought that Bloomington was that great of a city and much of that opinion came from the fact I equated the University with the town, and my dislike for where I was going at college translated into me not giving the city a fair chance.
Last year, when one of my friends visited to tour the Law School here we took him out to a bunch of our local haunts Nick's, Scotty's and Crazyhorse and it was amazing to see just how awesome he thought Bloomington was. At that point, I basically had an epiphany and thought I should try to enjoy this town and get the most out of it while I'm here because there are a lot of things a place like Bloomington can offer that I can't get anywhere else that I go.
Two weeks ago we had one of those nights when we went to the Irish Lion, an Irish pub in town that resembled the pubs I went to in Dublin this summer but last night may have even eclipsed that.
So, I'm a big fight fan, boxing, mma, k1 you name it I like it and Kilroy's Sports, a bar in town here, started showing some of the bigger ones recently and I finally went there for UFC 67 last night with a few friends.
Let me just say, it was fucking awesome. The set up is incredible where they have booths in the back facing the TVs, tables in the middle and a huge bar up front where you can sit and watch. Oh, not to mention the four huge projection TVs with smaller TVs in between them ALL showing the fight.
Then, there was the atmosphere. It started out in hilarious fashion with their "Bladder Buster" specials, which are 2 beers for $1 until one person in the entire bar goes to the bathroom. So of course everyone is loading up on beer but every couple minutes or so someone would make a break for the restroom which of course is reported by the bar staff on the loudspeaker so everyone boos, swears and tries to make them step away. My buddy Evan would get up every time and try to talk these people down, almost like trying to talk down a jumper from a ledge.
The record I guess is only 1 hour and 2 minutes, and sad to say....our group only made it just over 30 when some kid Evan had talked down before snuck into the bathroom and went.
Then the place started filling up and it ended up being packed when Nikhil got there for the 2nd fight of the night between Rampage and Marvin Eastman. The atmosphere was unbelievable. I've been looking for a place to show fights where its filled of drunken, swearing and jovial fans and now I've found it.
It was as loud as a rock concert at times, especially when my bhoys Mirko Cro Cop and Rampage beat the living shit out of Sanchez and Eastman and my ears where definitely ringing. We were trying to discuss the fights and I would sometimes have to act as an interpreter if Nikhil wanted to say something to Evan because it was so loud at times you couldn't hear someone across the table from you.
Good times.
So, we watched all of the fights and then we decided to stay out and went to Cue Billiards for pool Nikhil's buddy Paul joined us and we stayed till closing. After that it was Rockit's pizza for a late night snack and the telling of all our European adventure stories. Back at 445am and up in time for Celtic at 730am. My schedule is so fucked.
Now its time for breakfast, yes at 5pm, and then I'm going to watch the Adamek/Dawson fight I didn't get to see last night and of course...the Superbowl.
I think I've decided to pull for the Bears. NFC North Pride (minus the fudgepackers) and they are the underdog who gets no respect. This state is so fairweather they'll be out no matter who wins...so it doesn't really matter.
Bears 27, Colts 24
Last year, when one of my friends visited to tour the Law School here we took him out to a bunch of our local haunts Nick's, Scotty's and Crazyhorse and it was amazing to see just how awesome he thought Bloomington was. At that point, I basically had an epiphany and thought I should try to enjoy this town and get the most out of it while I'm here because there are a lot of things a place like Bloomington can offer that I can't get anywhere else that I go.
Two weeks ago we had one of those nights when we went to the Irish Lion, an Irish pub in town that resembled the pubs I went to in Dublin this summer but last night may have even eclipsed that.
So, I'm a big fight fan, boxing, mma, k1 you name it I like it and Kilroy's Sports, a bar in town here, started showing some of the bigger ones recently and I finally went there for UFC 67 last night with a few friends.
Let me just say, it was fucking awesome. The set up is incredible where they have booths in the back facing the TVs, tables in the middle and a huge bar up front where you can sit and watch. Oh, not to mention the four huge projection TVs with smaller TVs in between them ALL showing the fight.
Then, there was the atmosphere. It started out in hilarious fashion with their "Bladder Buster" specials, which are 2 beers for $1 until one person in the entire bar goes to the bathroom. So of course everyone is loading up on beer but every couple minutes or so someone would make a break for the restroom which of course is reported by the bar staff on the loudspeaker so everyone boos, swears and tries to make them step away. My buddy Evan would get up every time and try to talk these people down, almost like trying to talk down a jumper from a ledge.
The record I guess is only 1 hour and 2 minutes, and sad to say....our group only made it just over 30 when some kid Evan had talked down before snuck into the bathroom and went.
Then the place started filling up and it ended up being packed when Nikhil got there for the 2nd fight of the night between Rampage and Marvin Eastman. The atmosphere was unbelievable. I've been looking for a place to show fights where its filled of drunken, swearing and jovial fans and now I've found it.
It was as loud as a rock concert at times, especially when my bhoys Mirko Cro Cop and Rampage beat the living shit out of Sanchez and Eastman and my ears where definitely ringing. We were trying to discuss the fights and I would sometimes have to act as an interpreter if Nikhil wanted to say something to Evan because it was so loud at times you couldn't hear someone across the table from you.
Good times.
So, we watched all of the fights and then we decided to stay out and went to Cue Billiards for pool Nikhil's buddy Paul joined us and we stayed till closing. After that it was Rockit's pizza for a late night snack and the telling of all our European adventure stories. Back at 445am and up in time for Celtic at 730am. My schedule is so fucked.
Now its time for breakfast, yes at 5pm, and then I'm going to watch the Adamek/Dawson fight I didn't get to see last night and of course...the Superbowl.
I think I've decided to pull for the Bears. NFC North Pride (minus the fudgepackers) and they are the underdog who gets no respect. This state is so fairweather they'll be out no matter who wins...so it doesn't really matter.
Bears 27, Colts 24
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So, looks like we missed out on Shalrie Joseph again - just posted a story about a $2m bid on the Celtic thread.