Most people who are rabid fans of some sports team, are fans of that team because they choose to be. Although being totally devoted to their team, there is still a chance that they may become disenchanted for one reason or another and switch their allegiance to some other team. Not so if you are a fan of the Chicago Cubs. One becomes a Cubs fan for a number of reasons, but one stays a Chicago Cubs fan because of the addiction. Yes, there, I said it. I am addicted to the Chicago Cubs and so are most Cubs fans. They are like crack. Once you are addicted there is no turning back. This has to be the case. Why else could I and hundreds of thousands like me continue to watch a team that so often places a product on the field with not a chance in Hades of winning but yet, we follow this team faithfully and hope each new year is the year of the Chicago Cubs.

It is likely that I should consider therapy to help deal with the ridicule from friends and family. My father-in-law is a St. Louis Cardinals fan and gives me untold amounts of grief. Friends constantly ask me if the Cubs won last night when they know full well that they lost. However, when the Cubs win, they fail to mention the game or ask who won. Imagine that.

It is of the utmost importance that I stay apprised of the amount of sick time or other leave I have available. This is needed to either take off to watch key Chicago Cubs games or to deal with the gut-wrenching feeling I have after the Cubs lose that key game. I know, it's just another baseball game. There are 162 of them each season and I want the Cubs to win 'em all. When they lose, as they often have in the past, I am disappointed until the next game that they win. Luckily for me, the last three years have been better. At least until the playoffs.

I subscribe to satellite television service, DIRECTV to be exact. This allows me to watch the most Chicago Cubs games in my area. No other channels matter because I only watch baseball most of the time. I also have quite a lot of Cubs paraphernalia, and a variety of snacks. I spend a lot of time watching the Cubs, so the snacks are of the utmost importance.

OK, I'm through complaining. I really do enjoy the ride. And I do mean the roller coaster ride that is the addiction to being a Chicago Cubs fan. I hope you'll decide to join me as a fan of the Cubs. After all, you know what they say. Misery loves company. I know, I said I was through complaining. If you do, who knows when you make your first visit to Wrigley Field (yes , if you become a Cubs fan, you will be there) you might just see me there. I'll be the guy in the seat next to you with the Cubs jersey, a beer, and a look of bewilderment on his face.