I’m a lifelong resident of the Greater Philadelphia area. As such, I’m one of those long-suffering Philly sports fans.

I wouldn’t say I live and die with the local sporting franchises, because, quite simply, I don’t — like most people, I have far more pressing matters in my life. Even so, on the occasions I’ve had to bathe in the glow of a local team winning its championship, I have thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Last year, around this time, one of those teams, the Phillies, won the city its first major sports championship in a quarter century. Many fans like me, who had grown accustomed to disappointment, entered a state of minor ecstasy, as a team full of truly likable players won the World Series. It was a wonderful time, and it’s probably fair to say it put a spring into many a step across the Delaware Valley.

But regardless of the extra spring in my step, I still had to go to work, pay bills, and most of my real-life responsibilities were still awaiting me after the euphoria swept through. In other words, not much changed.

This year, our beloved baseball team reprised its role in the World Series, facing off against the storied New York Yankees. And last night, the Yankees beat the Phillies in six games, adding to Yankee lore and somewhat justifying what has long been the highest payroll in Major League Baseball.

It hurt for a few minutes, as I thought about the missed opportunities that might have tilted the outcome in my team’s favor. That aside, the reality is that it’s over, and for the most part, it was a lot of fun to watch and listen to. And even though I don’t have that extra spring in my step this time around, the day after the end of the World Series — a Thursday, like it was last year — requires the same of me as a normal day would. And so, life goes on, pretty much the same as it always does.

And, in the words of Forrest Gump, that’s all I have to say about that.

the morning after
regardless of the outcome
nothing much changes

Comments

• November 5, 2009, apreziosi writes: I'm also fond of using the "I still have to go to work" line. But yes, last year did give us a lightness of being that is the reason we follow these things. Conversely, today is a little downer, but like all things, we'll get over it. Somehow we identify people and cities with their sports franchises, but that's a topic for something more than a comments section. :)
  
  I'm certainly a sports fan, but I view the games the way I do a TV show or a movie. It's entertainment, and if I don't care for the story line, I can turn it off. This attitude confounds and even angers some people I know. I turned last night's game off at around 10:30, long before the outcome had become official.
  The biggest benefit from the end of the baseball season is that I can finally get to bed at a decent hour.
• November 5, 2009, howard writes: as someone who isn't likely to ever get to bed at a decent hour, i still feel a slight sense of relief at the drama being over -- at least for now.
  
  and i also know those people who seem to actually get angry at the idea of treating a game as, well, a game rather than a life-or-death struggle between good and evil. i mean, i really enjoy the storylines of a great sporting matchup, which is probably why i enjoy sports so much, but in the end, i can't see myself every lining up to jump off the Walt Whitman over any of it.
  
  and since you mentioned writing something longer than a comment on the subject of franchises and their people, i'll be looking forward to it ;)

And speaking of connectivity, I was pleased to see several folks I know from the virtual world at Frank’s birthday gathering. Some of them were previously known to me, some I met for the first time in the real world.

One of the previously known people was Albert Yee, a gifted photographer and friend whose work I’m pleased to have on display at home. One of the first time encounters was Laura Kicey, another person whose photography I’ve admired for some time. It’s always nice to make a real world connection every once in a while. And it’s also nice to run into a few of those connections on occasion.

Comments

• July 13, 2009, Frank writes: Connections...that's what it's about isn't it. I so much appreciate that the virtual world has translated into the real world for me. I feel very lucky for that!
• July 13, 2009, howard writes: me too, Frank. my real life circle of friends has been enhanced greatly by many folks I've met online -- which, going back a few years, includes some of the folks at your gathering like you, Sarah and Albert.

you’ll forever ring
in October memories
and midsummer dreams

We spoke for a couple minutes, each of us asking how the other was doing. It was a nice little reminder of my semi-youth, those days when I would go out with a bunch of friends to see his band play. But that was when most of us were in our 20s, so long ago.

In the interim, Jayy’s band had gotten a record deal with MCA, been “encouraged” to change their name, wiggled out of the contract after one album, with Jayy setting out on his own. And now, the band is back under their pre-MCA name, Bonehead.

The last time I was in contact with Jayy, he was talking about a new recording he was trying to finish. After getting home from the Wawa this morning, I googled his name and the working title of the album he’d been working on, Broken and Glued.

As soon as I realized it was available on iTunes, I parted with eight bucks and change to download it. While I can’t be relied on for an unbiased critique, I did enjoy a few of the tracks the first time through. One of my initial favorites is “When You Look at Me,” which is all cued up in the player at the top of this post. Give it a listen.

Enjoy your Saturday.

Comments

• March 3, 2009, Anthony writes: There but for the grace of God go I.
• March 4, 2009, howard writes: Precisely the thought that crosses my mind every time I see a scene like this.
  
  I was in a hurry when I posted this. Otherwise I would have given a little more detail. It's about a guy I've seen countless times under the overpass on 6th St. near the end of the Ben Franklin Bridge in Philly.
  
  A while back, a co-worker of mine told me that he went to high school with the man. He still stops by and tries to leave him a few bucks or some clothes or food. I saw him yesterday morning as I was giving someone a ride home, and I couldn't help but feel the sting of the bitter cold when I saw him standing by the side of the road in 11 degree weather.
  
  Sometimes you can dismiss the homeless and destitute folks you see on the street, but it gets so much harder when you hear a little more of their stories (as I had heard from my co-worker). When those who've fallen through the cracks are paired with a bit more context, the imaginary wall that separates the rest of us from them sometimes disappears. As it probably should.
• March 4, 2009, Anthony writes: When I'm in the city, I spend most of my time in Center City. Multitudes of homeless people on Broad Street south of City Hall. Because I was born with a heart, they're hard to ignore. I'll reach into my pocket and give them a dollar. (My change goes in a jar at home!) If I have the time, I'll ask if they want me to get them some food. Once, I was asked for Yoo Hoo and Reese's cups from the Wawa near the Convention Center.
  
  I've never asked for their stories, although I feel like it would make for interesting blog posts and some perspective. Usually, they're very grateful and thank me for stopping. That's enough for me. Such a small thing to make me feel better about my humanity and such a big thing for them to have someone stop and care.

Comments

• January 31, 2008, Anna writes: Sounds like a nice moment. Maybe she's smiling at the thought of inspiring you to write a haiku :)
• January 31, 2008, howard writes: It wouldn't surprise me if she was. Women are usually a step or two ahead of me anyway.
• February 2, 2008, Anna writes: Just how we like it ;)