My wife grew up in Green Bay, so no more explanation need be given of why she is a Packers fan. I grew up in southern California, so it may not be readily obvious why I am a Cowboys fan. Perhaps it was because their training camp was in the next town over (Thousand Oaks). More likely it was because I knew of the strong faith of some of their players and coach. A few years ago I tried to switch to become a Packers fan. My family probably doesn’t even know that the Cowboys are a football team, so it wouldn’t offend anyone there. Kelli’s family are very committed Packers fans. So I had only to gain. The problem was…well, the conversion just never “took.” I don’t know why. Probably a lot of it is owing to the fact that we aren’t real fans, and I don’t really know what’s going on besides whether they won last weekend or not and who the quarterback is. Now, however, I live in the Dallas area and thus it’s only natural to put away the Green Bay clothing I’ve been given at previous Christmas and birthdays and be a Cowboys fan.
I checked online about getting tickets to tomorrow’s game between the two 10-1 teams. I’ve never been to a professional football game and I figured it wouldn’t be worth the $50 or so that tickets cost. But I thought I’d look anyway. And yep, I found out just what you’re thinking. I’m an idiot for thinking that tickets are available (sold out through 2008 at which time they move to a new stadium and those tickets aren’t yet for sale). And I’m an idiot for thinking that tickets could be bought for less than $275 (on the resale site). That’s not $275 for the family, including a steak dinner. That’s $275 for one seat; hot dogs extra. And that’s the worst seat in the house (well, it probably has a pretty good view of the blimp). A better seat can be had for $4475. But you have to buy two.
We decided not to go. Instead of two seats for 3 hours, I can buy a year of school in a fine graduate school. Or a lot of other things. Tomorrow night, when the game’s all over, someone will be out a lot of money. A lot of someones. And for what?
Back to school. Yesterday I had lunch with a seminary professor. None of my readers have likely ever heard his name. I bought lunch for both, for a total of $6.70. That included the seats, the food, and the drinks. For that investment, I got an hour of undivided attention from a wise man who has studied Scripture and ministered to college and seminary students for many decades. I think I could probably take every faculty member of DTS for lunch for less than the cost of the cheapest two tickets tomorrow night.
So here’s a thought for some of you still in an educational environment. Maybe you should consider taking someone you respect to lunch in order to learn from them. You wouldn’t blink at spending $50 for a football game or a Kenny Chesney concert or a U2 event. Maybe there’s a better way to spend your money.
Hi Todd,
That’s a pretty good point. I was thinking, “When can you get the chance to blow a years worth of education on 2 seats in Israel?”
Huhh? Good point, I’d say…
:)
Bryan
sp’00
Hmmm, 50 bucks will get your IBEX application into Dr. Varner’s hands and will get you on your way to Israel. ;)
I think that spending money is often a question of “good, better, best.” Which one do you go with? Often it isn’t the best.
Well, I can’t relate to anyone who is a Packers or Cowboy fan, but I am really seeing the value in spending time with the professors. It takes a little more effort than it did at IBEX when you lived on the other side of the hill, but it is worth it. I wish I would have picked up on this earlier in school.
What I want to know is where you can buy lunch for two for $6.70?
Mmmmm…Costco hot dogs and a coke??
Can’t get that in the Holy Land…
Al – two slices of pizza and two drinks at the DTS cafeteria.
I agree. Even $50 for a Cowboys’ ticket is simply immoral. Now…a Redskins’ ticket…well that’s a little different.
i recently got a new job which leaves my lunches free to meet up with friends and mentors…truely a rewarding investment!!!
i remember at TMC being soo excited almost giddy to sit and eat with profs. Godly fellowship and wisdom shared…hard to beat that for under $10
thanks for the reminder about worth and what is really valuable!
I can sell you a ticket to a Raiders game for $26.
BTW … to think you could get a ticket for the Cowboys for $50 is nuts. Our friends told us years ago that they are a tough ticket. You either had to have connections (he did) or be willing to pony up the dough. I think it was when I asked if it was possible to go to a game.
As for my $26 Raiders ticket … well, A) They are easy to come by. B) I’m a season ticket holder. If they ever become a MUCH better team and tickets ever do become a tough ticket … I’ll have a pretty penny on my hand since I have the rights on these tickets so long as I pay my season ticket cost.
I’m insulted that you think your family doesn’t know football. I was thinking about you & Kelli during that game, and wondering if you’d thought about getting tickets. And after a minute, I realized that you wouldn’t do it – they’re too pricey. Anyway, you generally get a better view on your home screen.
Cheri – I was thinking more of our parents than of my siblings. It’s certainly true that no one has strong allegiance to pro teams. We have a TV but not cable, but we were able to pull in a snowy picture of the game, which was still probably better than a view from the uttermost parts of the stadium.