The Happiest Time of The Year

Halloween has come and passed, but there’s still pumpkins lying around, so hey this blog is still relevant.  No matter the age: babies, young trick-or-treaters, older trick-or-treaters, the awkward stage being just a bit too old to trick-or-treat, and adults, there’s one meaning behind Halloween: true, unadulterated happiness.  Try not to be happy on Halloween.  Tell me you’re not and I’ll tell you you’re lying or you’re just a generally unhappy person. 

This Halloween, in the frozen tundra of Philadelphia, snow and freezing rain were pegging chilled faces all weekend. I must say, not the ideal conditions. Regardless of the weather, plenty of people could still be seen donning their costumes more proud than ever. If you put effort into the costume, it’s definitely important to get some notice.  That’s how it should be.  Even if it is a last minute throw-together costume, it should still have some meaning and once again, it all goes back to the happiness.

Halloween means it’s time for plenty of Halloween parties and costumes are the ultimate conversation starters.  Just a simple “Ohhhhhhh, I get it,” or “Weak costume, bro,” is a sure-fire way to have a pleasant Halloween conversation.  For instance, at one point on the weekend,  MC Hammer (me above)  was having a conversation with Captain Morgan, a guy riding an ostrich, a can of Four Loko, and a homeless man.  Now anywhere or anytime else, this probably wouldn’t be completely acceptable, but this motley crew fits right in on Halloween.

Personally, I’m a big fan of summer, but when it starts to get chilly here, football, hockey, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and snowboarding begin and summer becomes just a distant memory.  So now, it’s time to put the sweaters on, zip up the jackets, and enjoy what the season has in store for us.

Night At The Flyers Game

Last night it was time for the Flyers game.  I must say, it has been a very great stretch of weekends, so don’t worry, I’m usually not this interesting.  It is amazing how different the experience was compared to the Eagles game, but certainly not in a bad way. 

First of all, I want to point out that I was sitting in the very last row in the stadium and it proved the point that there really isn’t a bad seat in the house.  I may go out on a limb and say that it’s better up there than right up at the ice (I’m probably just saying that cause I can’t afford those tickets) but hey, the seats were awesome nonetheless. 

I consider Flyers fans more “die hards.”  People who go to the games aren’t fair-weather fans, they love the team, it defines them.   The games are always intense for them and the atmosphere really reflects that.

The Devils were in town, so even though it is early in the season, the passion was there (even though some empty maroon seats were seen.  It could be that all those people were in line at the bathroom because honestly, I’ve never had to wait in that long and frustrating of a bathroom line in all my years.  Word to the wise: don’t wait until the period ends to relieve yourself. That was a rookie move on my part.

As most of the Flyers’ losses seem to go, they outplay the opponent all game but a few mistakes and turnovers end up killing us.  Last night, regulation time wasn’t enough to decide the winner and neither was overtime, so it was off to a shootout.  Out of Simmonds, Briere, and Giroux, only Briere was able to find the back of the net.  2 Devils scored, so that was the game. 

Highlights of the game: Mites on ice, harassing Devils fans and boy with Yankees leather jacket (dad was not happy about that)

Night At The Eagles Game

Sunday night football, nationally televised audience, do or die rival game.  I think it's safe to say the Eagles' last game was a big one.  For the majority of the game, there wasn’t a butt in a seat (besides this picture).  The crowd was electric, there was not one time in the game where there was a need to worry. 

Now this was actually my first Eagles game in a few years.  The atmosphere is incomparable.  Having been to a handful of Phillies game this past year, I figured I knew what to expect, I was wrong.  From the time I set foot on the subway, I knew good things were to come.  As the swarm of green got off at AT&T Station, echoes of “E-A-G-L-E-S,” could be heard in every direction.  It is impossible not to join in on that chant.  The most I can make it without saying anything is G.  That’s where I draw the line.  At the very least, after G, it’s go time.

In a 34-7 win, plenty of big plays from LeSean “Shady” McCoy, Michael Vick and the swarming defense means plenty of high fives being thrown around all over the place.  Nice run? High five. Nice pass? High five. Nice stop? High five. The guy next to you eats a hot dog in one bite? High five.  It really is a thing of beauty.  No matter who’s around you, when something big happens, it’s time for high fives. I’m fairly confident that I could have robbed a bank after the game, because no way could crime scene investigators pick out my DNA from the 250 others that had to be on my hands.

I was so excited, when I got home, I looked up how much it would be to get season tickets.  Then I saw I would be in line to get the tickets for 4,000 years??? So many people are in line that it could literally take 4,000 years, touché Eagles fans, that’s pretty impressive.  I guess I’ll have to think of an alternative, but one thing’s for sure, as the great Arnold once said, I’ll be baaaaack.

Trip To Baseball's Hall Of Fame

First, as baseball fan all my life, I must say that I’m a little ashamed that it took me this long to get to Cooperstown, but hey, I finally made it.  Nestled on Main Street, in an old, peaceful little town, the Hall doesn’t look like anything special from the outside.  Inside though, the history, present, and future of our nation’s pastime awaits.

Now if I was a cynic, I’d say that blah blah it’s just a building filled with old men’s smelly and dirty uniforms, why would anyone spend time and go out of their way to go there? But hey, I’m not, so no need to worry.

The actual town is quite small, less than 2,000 inhabitants.  So yes, they know who’s a tourist and who’s not.  All along Main Street, on the way to the Hall, there are shops where you can buy all kinds of souvenirs and knick knacks.  One might think to buy things in these stores rather than the Hall of Fame’s gift shop, but I must say, to my surprise, it very fairly priced in there. 

Now, entering the Hall of Fame, you see the glossy waxed floors, not a speck of dust in sight, and you know you’re in a special place.  Once you get in, the choice is yours where to go. We decided to see a short film and then check out all the exhibits.  The great thing about the exhibits is that you can simply walk through, looking at the pictures and memorabilia, or you can read all of the info cards about each station (which could take you all day to do).  The 2^nd floor is more about the history of baseball and the players that turned the game into what it is today.  The 3^rd floor is more about baseball’s present, Including the Phanatic I might add.  From the 3^rd floor, it was time to head back down to check out the 1^st floor, where all the plaques resided.  To be frank, this was the most boring part of the whole place, but yet, the most important.  Every baseball player strives to earn their own real estate in this hall but only 295 have that luxury.

A very impressive/depressing part of the Cooperstown experience was the number of Phillies fans that were united there.  I say depressing because we should have all been home rooting for the Phils in the World Series, but needless to say, I won’t get started on that.  If you are a baseball fan, history fan, or fan of doing something new and interesting, I would highly recommend taking the trip up to Cooperstown, NY, and see what baseball has to offer.