Admittedly, I am as disappointed as any Chiefs fan with the way this season unfolded. Starting out 4-3 and in first place only to watch the Chiefs suffer a nine game losing streak to end the year, and to top if all off, those of us with season tickets in Club Level get to pay MORE next season, while Peterson and the Hunt family get some positive public relations by lowering prices on the upper deck and holding steady on the lower level.

However, there is some good news in the fact that parking prices will stay the same. Speaking of the parking price–the friend I took to the Bengals game (he is a Steeler fan, so we had his anti-Bengals mojo working for us that day) was astounded that it cost $22 to park. He saw me hand the gate guy three bills and thought they were all ones. When I told him that it was actually $22 he couldn’t believe it. All the next week at work he would walk around with this look on his face and repeat “Twenty-two dollars? It cost Twenty-two dollars?” After about five days of this I told him he could pay next time. By the way, he had a blast that day and can’t wait to go back.

Anyway, there have been enough negatives (well deserved) said and written about this past season. I thought I would try to bring some positives to light on this–thankfully–concluded year at Arrowhead.

1. I got to see the Chiefs play–Do you realize that on eight Sundays each fall only 77,000 people get to actually attend a Chiefs game in Arrowhead Stadium? I count myself extremely fortunate to get to see them as many times as I do. I made six games this year and only missed those last two due to weather and having to hold down the home front while my wife was out of town. Yes, we had a horrible record at home this season–something which had better not EVER happen again. However, just being at the game is one of the things I live for.

2. I got to see the Chiefs play with my dad–My father drives up from South Arkansas on Saturday and we get up and leave the house by 4 a.m. on game day. He has told anyone who will listen how wonderful Arrowhead and the tailgating are. And this from a man who had Arkansas Razorback season tickets for years and let them go so we could focus on going to the Chiefs games.

3. I got to take two people to Arrowhead who had never been to a NFL game before–One guy is a Steelers fan and one is a Bronco. Both are already on the list to go back next year they were so impressed.

4. I got to see how the renovations will change the stadium–Simply put, I can’t wait for more bathrooms and concession areas and wider concourses.

5. I got to meet some fantastic people–Several games a bunch of folks who post on Chiefshuddle.com were able to meet up and park together. One game I think we had around 15 in our group–the grills were cooking that day! Great folks and fantastic fans. No talk about politics or religion or business or anything except the only thing that mattered at the moment–THE CHIEFS!!! I truly hope that we can all meet up again next season. That is one group of folks I am proud to call friends.

6. I got to try some new recipes–Since my dad and I leave so early for the games, he wanted me to do a breakfast motif several games. To be honest, breakfast on a grill is very easy. Ham, hash browns, omelettes–all right there in one pan. We even cooked some for the folks next to us (all they brought were some cookies and some beer, so of course the barter system was in full swing). I also tried out some new marinades and side dishes. Things must have been good because I had to give out some recipes.

7. Did I mention that I got to see the Chiefs with my dad?

8. Sharing–simply being at the games and offering the bounty of the grill to those around you.

9. Even though we had a devastating season there still were some good things that happened. Jared Allen and the sacks, Colby Smith and his running, Dwayne Bowe and the others who contributed–all speak of promise for the future. I guess that is what keeps me coming back year after year–the hope that “next” year will finally be the year.