Second Time Around, Enjoying the Eagles' Win

I was called a front-runner as I searched for someone with whom I could celebrate the Super Bowl win. I grew up watching the Bears, having suffered a number of ups and downs. I still remember the season where the head coach kept changing quarterbacks like a baseball manager making changes on the mound. Then there was the season where so many Bears' QB's got injured that legendary running back Walter Payton had to run the offense out of the shotgun. After years of frustration the Bears won the Super Bowl. Unfortunately at the start of that season I moved to Atlanta to go to school.

There were very few Bears' fans in Atlanta in 1986 so I was alone in celebrating that win. I missed the parades and the interviews with crying and excited fans. I missed the build up during the '85 season, the excitement and the doubts as a defense that struggled early in the season became one of the best ever. I missed all the fun and excitement in Chicago as the Lombardi trophy took its place in Halas Hall. It hurt to miss out. I felt like I was not a part of things: a fan with no real connection. Having a (jealous) classmate call me a front-runner only added to the pain.

I still have an allegiance to the Bears but having lived in Philadelphia for 30 years I have grown quite fond of midnight green (kelly green as well). No, 30 years is not as long a time as some of the Eagles' fans in the area have suffered, but after not celebrating a win for 32 years I am ready for the festivities. I look forward to being in town for my second time around celebrating a Super Bowl win. This time I get to celebrate with millions of fans. I won't be alone and I don't expect to be called a front-runner. This time around I am going to drink it all in, truly enjoying the celebration.

E-A-G-L-E-S Eagles!

Super Bowl LII

I will get to my Super Bowl pick in a minute but first I have to get a few things off my chest.

I have heard it all season long. After every game I heard it said, “The Eagles have not played anyone.” It was as if Eagles’ fans are not supposed to enjoy the 2017 season because of the schedule crafted by the NFL. How is it that the Eagles’ wins did not count. Now, after defeating the defending NFC champions and team with the best defense in the league, the Eagles are one of only two teams remaining. What do they have to do for the naysayers to admit this is a good team? Is being in Super Bowl LII enough or do they have to win? Is a win enough or does it have to be a blowout?

Then there are the comments about Eagles’ fans. Yes, fans were quite naughty in throwing snowballs at Santa...back in 1968! Yes, there is a group of fans whose conduct can only be described as embarrassing. But that 1% does not speak for the other 99% who are excited about the game but disciplined. That 1% is a minor story at best, especially in light of accusations that the Patriots have in the past used some rather...unique…tactics to win championships. The focus on the fans is nothing more than a distraction. The game will be won or lost on the field.

On the field I expect to see a great game. The Eagles’ defense ranks among the best. Their offense scored rather handily against this year’s best defense. On the other sideline are the Patriots who we all know will be ready. The Pats know how to win and even with a sore hand, Brady is the best. But football is normally won at the line of scrimmage where I think the Eagles are better on both sides of the ball. That being said, will the Eagles play a full four quarters?

This season has been full of very slow starts by the Eagles, with many situations where the Eagles tried (and sometimes succeeded) in beating themselves. The Patriots will not make many mistakes nor will they take any part of this game off. If the Eagles play four quarters and cut down on their own mistakes, this is a winnable game. I think they pull it off.

Eagles 24 Patriots 21

Date Night at the Philadelphia Orchestra

Powerful! That's the word my wife used to describe Mahler's Third Symphony as performed by the

Modigliani Cello Player
Published before 1923
Public Domain in U.S.

Philadelphia Orchestra. Neither of us had ever gone to a live performance by a professional symphony. So when we received complimentary tickets we decided it was time for a long overdue date night.

This was our first visit to Verizon Hall located inside Philly’s Kimmel Center. The hall is a building within a building, sharing the Kimmel Center with the Lenfest Theater. The hall itself is a beautiful wooden structure, stained in a color that reminded me of a very large cello. Once inside I realized we were in fact stepping into the body of a large cello, complete with side curves reminiscent of C-ribs. The color and shape are appropriate as the acoustics make the building an important instrument in delivering the sound of the city’s top notch orchestra. And though we were in the third tier, this architectural wonder did a fine job of bringing each instrument cleanly to our listening ears.

The orchestra used their wooden home to its full potential, delivering a performance that kept my novice ears fully engaged. Mahler's third symphony is long but the orchestra, under the direction of Yannick Nézet-Séguin, made the listening experience fun. I understand why these musicians are invited to travel the world, representing the city of Philadelphia with a sound of which we should be proud. I should have long ago taken advantage of having a world class orchestra nearby. After seeing them in person during their last performance of the 2016-17 season, I will definitely be back for more.

If you live near or are planning a visit to Philly I suggest you consider a trip to Verizon Hall. The orchestra's season runs from September to May and the full calendar can be found at: www.philorch.org. Also the orchestra offers an etiquette page for us newbies, with tips on how to dress (I was overdressed) and when it is okay to applaud (very important).

I am looking forward to future visits to Verizon Hall. This was a fun way to spend a Sunday afternoon with my wife. I think we both have a new favorite place.