Sunday was the Super Bowl, and there are any number of things that could (and yet might) be covered here in this blog. An important thing to be sure I do get to is not the football, the commercials or the power failure which captivated the globe, but instead the food. One absolutely must find or host a Super Bowl party with some great food. Virtually everything is non-essential except for people, a television showing the game and food. I admit I can't imagine what else there could be but those three things, but why get hung up on that?
There was, of course, plenty to drink at our party. There was beer, of which I partook, and whiskey, of which I did not. Often enough I discharge my responsibilities by buying a case of beer, but this time around I did not. Plenty of people did, though, and we never wanted for any booze over the course of the day. One might argue that our long-term health prospects would improve considerably if we ever did run out, but we didn't.
Showing posts with label Super Bowl. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Super Bowl. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
Monday, February 2, 2009
Saturday Night Live and the Super Bowl
I watch SNL fairly faithfully. Such has largely been the case since I saw it for the first time in the early 90s when childhood idol Charles Barkley hosted. It waxes and wanes with the strength of the cast, but I'm always there.
Recently I feel its been good. Saturday's episode with Steve Martin was hit and miss, but good on the whole. Certain bits have stayed with me. I've always admired Steve's skill with the banjo, and was delighted to hear him perform with it. I also loved one of the later sketches, which featured Steve as an old-time football star who wielded a handgun on the field. Funny stuff.
I feel better about the Super Bowl now, so maybe I can better articulate some of my thoughts. As angry as I remain towards exuberant Steelers fans (particularly those who have no apparent connection to the city or the team other than enjoying a winner), I can acknowledge that they were the best team in the league, and played a great game. James Harrison's interception and touchdown return was amazing, and definitely could have silenced Arizona's fighting spirit.
What did Arizona's loss come down to? Penalties were very damaging. Mike Gandy was accumulating holding penalties like he has a collection of them at home. The defense faltered there at the end, but they were great for most of the game, and any defense is going to fail at some point. It was just bad luck that Fitzgerald's touchdown came with so much time left on the clock. You can't decide exactly when you're going to get your scores.
In spite of losing, they surely proved themselves. In a sense, the Cardinals are very much like Rocky Balboa at the end of the first film. The tagline from that film comes to mind: "His whole life was a million-to-one shot". He starts the film as small-time muscle for organized crime, and as a scrub boxer. He rises to a bout with the champion, and no one gives him any chance of success. Seemingly, he doesn't even belong in the ring with Apollo Creed. He should be crushed, and is defeated, but he does manage to go the distance against the best in the world.
That sort of feels like the Cardinals' season. God willing, next season will resemble Rocky 2.
Subjects:
SNL,
Super Bowl
Recently I feel its been good. Saturday's episode with Steve Martin was hit and miss, but good on the whole. Certain bits have stayed with me. I've always admired Steve's skill with the banjo, and was delighted to hear him perform with it. I also loved one of the later sketches, which featured Steve as an old-time football star who wielded a handgun on the field. Funny stuff.
I feel better about the Super Bowl now, so maybe I can better articulate some of my thoughts. As angry as I remain towards exuberant Steelers fans (particularly those who have no apparent connection to the city or the team other than enjoying a winner), I can acknowledge that they were the best team in the league, and played a great game. James Harrison's interception and touchdown return was amazing, and definitely could have silenced Arizona's fighting spirit.
What did Arizona's loss come down to? Penalties were very damaging. Mike Gandy was accumulating holding penalties like he has a collection of them at home. The defense faltered there at the end, but they were great for most of the game, and any defense is going to fail at some point. It was just bad luck that Fitzgerald's touchdown came with so much time left on the clock. You can't decide exactly when you're going to get your scores.
In spite of losing, they surely proved themselves. In a sense, the Cardinals are very much like Rocky Balboa at the end of the first film. The tagline from that film comes to mind: "His whole life was a million-to-one shot". He starts the film as small-time muscle for organized crime, and as a scrub boxer. He rises to a bout with the champion, and no one gives him any chance of success. Seemingly, he doesn't even belong in the ring with Apollo Creed. He should be crushed, and is defeated, but he does manage to go the distance against the best in the world.
That sort of feels like the Cardinals' season. God willing, next season will resemble Rocky 2.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
The Big Game
I don't know whether I'm up to saying anything about the game. My team lost, but it was nonetheless their best moment in the last 61 years. I sincerely hope this isn't the end of their recent movement towards greatness.
Subjects:
Super Bowl
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Jury Duty and Parties
Yesterday left me with no real time to write down a blog post, though I knew well what its subject was apt to be. All this week, I've been on call for jury duty here in LA County. I knew this would be coming late last year, when I sought and received a postpostment. Every night starting Sunday, I've had to call a hotline to see if my presence was required at a courthouse downtown. Each night, the voice assured me that it was not. I guess I got complacent about it.
Thursday night I was out with a friend to hear a speech he gave about his faith at a church. When it was through, I was quite tired, and didn't really think of calling. The following morning, I woke up miraculously early. Around 7:30, it occurred to me that I should call to make sure I wasn't needed. Instead of that expected outcome, I was told that in fact I was required to be down at the courthouse at 7:45. Even if I had been driving myself, that would have been insufficient time. As it was, depending on public transportation as I do, I was awfully late. The whole way, I was very concerned that they would be mad at me, and I would be in trouble.
Subjects:
civic duties,
Super Bowl
Thursday night I was out with a friend to hear a speech he gave about his faith at a church. When it was through, I was quite tired, and didn't really think of calling. The following morning, I woke up miraculously early. Around 7:30, it occurred to me that I should call to make sure I wasn't needed. Instead of that expected outcome, I was told that in fact I was required to be down at the courthouse at 7:45. Even if I had been driving myself, that would have been insufficient time. As it was, depending on public transportation as I do, I was awfully late. The whole way, I was very concerned that they would be mad at me, and I would be in trouble.