The Super Bowl lacked appeal this year, for me. The game itself was good and exciting, but I didn’t care for either team. The Giants beat the 49ers in the NFC Championship Game. So, I didn’t want them to win. And the Patriots are the Patriots, so I didn’t want them to win either. In previous years, I could cheer for the NFC West representative, or the underdog. I could root for one team and not care so much if they won or not. Both teams were villains to me, so I didn’t have any incentive to watch.

Well, except for gambling. Gambling and fantasy football always sweeten otherwise unwatchable games. I managed to turn $10 into $200 in an office pool. Unfortunately I didn’t get to showcase any of my skill, since the game was based on pure luck. I almost placed a prop bet on no overtime, but I didn’t get around to it.

I had friends over for a Super Soul Sunday party. We only tuned into the game before halftime. The game was playing on a tiny screen while Soul Calibur V was on my big TV. After the game, both screens were devoted to Soul Calibur V — 1 XBox screen and 1 PS3 screen. Even the girls took turns at button mashing. (Stevie almost beat me until I pulled out my patented shin kick.) One screen eventually was devoted to Character Creation, where my friends made Avatar: The Last Airbender characters. Good guy Zuko. Katara with hair loopies. A tall Aang. It was pretty cool. Next up: Game of Thrones.

At the end of the night, I settled into bed with my girlfriend. Holding her in my arms at that very moment, at the end of that very day, made that day perfect. Maybe for some people, perfection is winning a Super Bowl ring or going 16-0 or winning 8 gold medals. Maybe it’s winning money. I have some cash now from gambling. But I don’t really don’t give a shit about the money right now. No, for me, at this point in my life, I know that perfection has nothing to do with money. Some things in life are more important than others, and I think I’ve gotten a little further in figuring out what’s what.

Then again, the moment wasn’t perfectly perfect. My eyes weren’t at their best condition after staring at TV screens for so long. Whatever. It was perfect enough. I think that’s the best I can strive for.