A loud, widespread shattering sound echoed throughout Illinois at 3:43 p.m. Saturday afternoon. The cause? The obliteration of the heart of every warm-blooded Cubs fan who was watching his or her beloved team’s post-season dreams turn into a nightmare as they lost to the Atlanta Braves.

Sweeps polled 30 Cubs fans for how they plan to bide their time until next spring. Fourteen people said they would place a renewed emphasis on school or work, eight said they still would follow the playoffs closely, seven said they would renew their love of the Chicago Bears, and one said he was actually an Atlanta Braves fan who needed to rub some salt in the wound.

Here are some of the responses:

I’m not really all that thrilled about it. They were a better team than they were last year. I plan to follow the playoffs. I mean, I’m still a baseball fan.”

James Smith

DeKalb resident

Iwas so angry when they lost seven out of eight. I’m probably going to have to start studying again. That’s depressing.”

Dan Kellner

Freshman accounting major

It wasn’t that crushing. I’m going to start studying now.”

Lamar Barnes

Senior marketing major

Iam going to laugh at all my friends. This is what I have been looking forward to all season. I might need a couple of body guards after people see this.”

Ryan Esquivel

Freshman communication major