If you know me just a bit, even via blog, you know that I am not a sports fan. Sorry dudes, I have the kind of brain that enjoys watching So You Think You Can Dance! Unfortunately, this doesn’t work out great for me, considering my live-in boyfriend is a complete sports nut. As in, he gets us kicked out of bars during stressful games type of nutty. He’s tried to convert me to his kind time and time again, even going so far as purchasing me a complete wardrobe of purple, gold and sports paraphernalia. But no. I can not be bought. However, I’ve learned to cope, some way, somehow.

Last night I was tricked into attending a football game viewing party at one of our regular dinner joints — Hudson Grille Perimeter in Atlanta. I was lured into attendance by the promise of a 32″ flat-screen that they were giving away to one lucky diner. Since I love electronics as much as the next spoiled North American, and since I was just feeling darn lucky, I agreed to go even though we just purchased a new 42″. The bathroom needs a TV, too.

When we got there, it was pretty empty — around 7 pm. There was a 680 The Fan (sports talk radio) van parked outside, and sure enough, when I got inside, there were a bunch of guys and their poor girlfriends/wives (bless their hearts) dressed in red, gold, and baby blue, ready to watch the UNC vs. Florida State (I think?) game that was to start at 8 pm. Fine…one hour…we’d be done eating by then, and maybe one flat-screen richer, so who was I to complain?

Lo-and-behold my luck — to enter the drawing, one had to order a pint of Bud Light. One ticket per beer. Also, the draw would not happen until the end of the third quarter. THIRD!!! I did my part and drank two — and even with my fish of a boyfriend’s contribution, we didn’t win.

However, I did participate in the prop bet sheet and kicked butt. I won four Hawks tickets! I never win anything! My mood went from annoyed-sports-hater to giddy-happy-winner. I appeared to be so happy, in fact, that when leaving, my mate turned to me and said, “I’m so glad you had a great time! We can come again next week and win more stuff!”

The smile quivered for a second on my face and then i laughed. Not the “yay!” kind of laugh, but a different kind of laugh.

I’m as good a sport as they come when it comes to compromise. But next Thursday I will be at home with my zebra-print Snuggie, watching 30 Rock and The Office, and not at a sports bar chugging Bud Lights.