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.

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On my way to dispense birthday wishes the other day, I walked by the Church of the Holy Trinity on Rittenhouse Square. That’s where I saw this sign. It struck me as an interesting outreach idea. It’s almost like a homeless mission, except with a different target demographic — come for the wi-fi, stay for the sermon. I don’t know how well it works, but I give them points for being clever.

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.

Goodbye, Harry

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