CHICAGO BLACKHAWKS VS. PHILADELPHIA FLYERS

The Chicago Blackhawks and Philadelphia Flyers have advanced to hockey's premier game, the Stanley Cup. Growing up in Chicago and living in Philadelphia might be perceived as a rough place to sit for this sports fan, but for me the choice is easy - GO HAWKS!

I think everyone can agree that the Chicago Blackhawks have been a terrible team for many years. Bill Wirtz was blamed for the Blackhawks' Stanley Cup drought, which is the second longest in NHL history and the longest in team history. In 2004 the Hawks were rated the worst professional sports franchise in the United States by ESPN.

Bill Wirtz passed away in 2007 and the team was handed over to his son Rocky. Major changes were immediately made to turn the team around - including the franchise allowing for home games to be televised on television - which Bill Wirz never allowed as he believed fans needed to pay for a ticket in order to see the game live.

Chicago brought major hockey stars into my life at a young age. Growing up as a Chicago hockey fan in the late 80s early 90s brought glimpses of greatness with memorable players like Denis Savard, Chris Chellios, Ed Belfour and Jeremy Roenick.

But much like the Chicago Bulls, after Jordan & Pippen and co. left the franchise, I was left with a "so what - who cares" mentality. Watching and professional team lose year-after-year is hard to do, unless you are housed in Wrigley Field - which is another story entirely.

Call me a fair weathered fan, but I was never able to get back into keeping up with the Hawks like I did when I was a kid but now that they're winning, I'm totally excited for this talented and very enthusiastic team.

Hawks are up 2-1 and I'm saying my prayers, watching intently and totally enjoying the excitement! GO HAWKS!

MEETING CHICAGO SPORTS CELEBRITIES

My friend recently posted a picture of her adorable son getting his picture taken with a famous basketball player on facebook. She said, "That was the best day of his life. We got it all on video too :)"

I then began to think about all the times my dad took me and my brothers to meet many of Chicago's finest sports stars.

I scanned in some of the photos I found in my apartment - it was a lot fun to reminisce!

Chicago Cubs famed third baseman Ron Santo - currently the Cubs radio broadcaster

Chicago Bulls guard, John Paxon - Current GM for the Bulls

Sweet Swinging Billy Williams

Future Hall of Fame Pitcher Greg Maddux

Mitch "Wild Thing" Williams and Rick Sutcliffe

Cubs catcher Joe Girardi, currently the coach of the World Series Champs - New York Yankees

Former Cubs first baseman Mark Grace, currently a baseball sports broadcaster

Former Chicago White Sox first baseman Frank Thomas

Former Bulls forward Scottie Pippen

CHUBBY MEN FOUND DANCING AT CHICAGO BULLS GAMES

The Matadors are the tubby, all-male dance troupe that provides oversize entertainment at Chicago Bulls games.

Who doesn't love chubby guys dancing around a basketball court to Justin Timberlake's "Sexy Back?" NO, I'm not a chubby-chaser! I just think it's fun to watch fans who look like "true Chicagoans" strutting their stuff at half time, providing old fashioned "cheer leading" for the fans.

The famed SNL skit "Super Fan" featured similarly sized men like George Wendt (you know, Norm from Cheers) who used a loveable Sout-side accent and portrayed those loving "Da Bears" "Da Bulls" fans only a real Chicagoan knows. This too was so much fun to watch!

These chubby fans are a uniquely Chicago stereotype that should be perpetuated as much as possible because it really is true with many of the people you meet/see at old school bars and restaurants in the charming neighborhoods of Chicago.

Chubby and proud in Chicago...makes me feel like having a sausage and a hot dog with mustard (NO KETCHUP!) for dinner tonight.